How the Complaint Process Works
Complaints involving a threat to public health and safety receive the highest priority. If CSLB is unable to settle your complaint, you may be referred to alternative dispute resolution resources.
Complaints against contractors may be filed with CSLB by homeowners, other contractors, subcontractors and employees. Other public agencies also may file complaints.
Complaints within the board's jurisdiction involve failure of a licensed contractor to fulfill the terms of an agreement. Failures include poor workmanship; abandonment of a project; failure to pay subcontractors, material suppliers or employees; or building code violations. Other failures are lack of reasonable diligence in executing a construction project; use of false, misleading, or deceptive advertising; home improvement contract violations; etc.
The board also investigates complaints involving unlicensed contracting activities. It is illegal for an unlicensed person to perform contracting work on any project for which the contract price is $500 or more, including labor and materials.
The board has jurisdiction over both licensed and unlicensed contractor's projects for up to four years.
Complaint Process Against Licensed Contractors
This section provides information about how CSLB handles complaints against licensed contractors. Licensed contractors are required by law to list their license number on any form of advertisement, including contracts and business cards.
Complaint Process Against Unlicensed Contractors
This section provides information about how CSLB handles complaints against unlicensed contractors.
If you are not sure whether your contractor is licensed through CSLB, you can check license status.
After You File Your Complaint
This section explains what happens once your complaint is filed.
