35 California contractors lost their licenses in April (but that's not news)

Why is it not news that licenses were revoked from 35 California contractors in one month? That's because a similar number of revocations by the California Contractors State License Board happens month after month, year after year.

The real news might be the 295,000 contractors in the state who didn't lose their licenses. Who needs a license? According to the CSLB:

"All businesses or individuals who construct or alter, or offer to construct or alter, any building . . . in California must be licensed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) if the total cost (labor and materials) of one or more contracts on the project is $500 or more."

But geez, there are so many rules. Look at some of the complaints one of the unlucky "April 35" had toward his license that caused it to get it pulled:

• Departed from trade standards • Violated building law - no permit • Exceeded contract amount • Failed to comply with Contractor's License Law • Home Improvement Contract violation • Excessive down payment • No payment schedule • Payment exceeds value • Abandonment without legal excuse of any construction project • Contracted out of classification • Willful or fraudulent act • Failed to pay for materials or services

Here's something to know: Unlicensed contractors, or those whose licenses have been suspended or revoked, will often hand out business cards with a fake number, or with their city business license number, knowing that homeowners rarely check on the status of a contractor's license.