SIGNAGE MATTERS: SPECIAL EDITION
April 27, 2011
By Jeff Aran, Esq, CSA Legal Counsel, Director of Government Affairs

10 Sign Contractor Errors that Could Land You in Jail!

Believe it or not, each of the following actions are potentially misdemeanors under California law, which might result in a jail sentence, monetary penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings and license suspension.

• Contracting (or brokering) without a current license
  
• Contracting with a subcontractor who has no license
  
• Contracting as a subcontractor with an unlicensed prime or general contractor
  
• Taking a contract for installation services from an out-of-state fabricator or contractor who does not hold a California contractor’s license.
  
• Contracting without a license for the fabrication and installation of a sign
  
• Failing to provide your contractor’s license number on all advertising, marketing materials (including business cards) and contracts
  
• Contracting “out of class” – e.g., a D42 licensee may not contract for electric signage work to be performed by a C45
  
• Entering into a “sham” contract on behalf of an “owner/builder”
  
• Failing to provide worker’s comp insurance when required
  
• Contracting with another’s license (even with consent)

CSA continues to defend the sign industry against rogue contractors and the underground economy. This year in Westminster, California, CSA learned of $670,000 in redevelopment funds awarded to an auto dealers association for a message center to be fabricated and installed by an unlicensed contractor with a history of “brokering” sign contracts.

Claiming he was “only” brokering the arrangement and didn’t need a license – despite having been previously censured by the CSLB for the very same conduct – CSA, contacted by local members, alerted the city, the dealer association and the CSLB, to protest this ongoing flagrant activity. CSLB immediately took steps to investigate and subsequently informed CSA just this week that it would be taking prompt enforcement action and issuing citations.

CSA is also proud to have collaborated on several “stings” with CSLB over the years. Members actively participate on CSLB licensing committees, as well as with other state agencies, such as the Energy Commission, Caltrans and the State Architect, providing technical support and consultation.
For more info, contact Jeff Aran, Director of Government Affairs, jeff@calsign.org.