South Pasadena family loses $2k after hiring unlicensed tree contractor

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Күн бұрын

Many contractors are required to be licensed to do tree work, but the Contractors State License Board said many aren’t. Carolyn Johnson reports for the NBC4 I-Team on Jan. 3, 2023.

Пікірлер: 317

@MiteshDamania 5 ай бұрын

The fraud laws on contractors are lacking. It should be a felony to commit fraud.

@socalrefrigeration548 5 ай бұрын

It's not the laws. The laws are pretty strict. It's the enforcement and lack of reporting. If a licensed contractor did this they would be facing civil action, fines, and possibly jail time.

@MiteshDamania 5 ай бұрын

@@socalrefrigeration548 that's not true. It's a civil matter and they declare bankruptcy so you can never collect. Then they open a new company. How many horror stories have you heard?

@emmas1082 5 ай бұрын

Actually it is a misdemeanor to contract without a license: Business and Professions Code 7028. Up to 6 months in jail and up to $5000 in fines. I am surprised that they did not file a complaint with the contractor’s board who would investigate and if necessary, send the case to the DA’s office.

@KOVIDGOON 5 ай бұрын

Fraud of all kind in California is off the scale. We have no protections in this failed government.

@vuaeco 5 ай бұрын

In Kalifornia, if you can go to Home Depot and load up your cart with thousands of dollars of expensive tools then walk out without paying then trimming a $2000 tree branch is a small matter.

@bloodlove93 5 ай бұрын

el cheapo? the weed man? oh come on....people fell for that? also it's funny in a twisted way that the criminal is fine but the victim has to pay for the law the criminal is responsible for breaking via ignorance and deception.

@tuanghoa4404 5 ай бұрын

I know right!

@Finetouchautopros 5 ай бұрын

😂😂😂

@dannyh773 5 ай бұрын

$2,000 up front. No way. El Cheapo 😂 Bahahaha.

@GreaterLADashcam 4 ай бұрын

More like El Pendejo 😂

@poke_hoard422 5 ай бұрын

He realized that tree requires more machinery than a chainsaw from lowes 😅

@abc123fhdi 5 ай бұрын

Never hire someone who just shows up at your door and do your research check license and yelp reviews.

@internallyinteral 5 ай бұрын

These ppl are too dumb to own a house

@tomr9661 5 ай бұрын

You're probably lucky he didn't try to remove that tree. It's possibly out of his league and more than a simple removal, and possibly requiring some heavy equipment.

@user-gg4of8kj6y 5 ай бұрын

And will cost more than 2k

@abdonelectric957 5 ай бұрын

yea he knew exactly what he was doing, he gets the money, does minimal work the 1st day then never seen again.

@MissPepperss 5 ай бұрын

There are plenty of people who scam contractors too, they never pay after the service is done.

@lyndalarose9200 5 ай бұрын

I've heard of that happening also, working in Community Development like I do.

@Javierisnotatryhard 5 ай бұрын

Not only that they short the people they knowingly acknowledged with hiring without a contractors license and they think it’s okay because “what are they gonna do it’s illegal” yet they’re participating themselves lol. She prolly shorted them on another project and they just finessed her the difference with the new job and went somewhere else. There’s a lot of fraud going on so I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the case aswell.

@MissPepperss 5 ай бұрын

You are right! @@Javierisnotatryhard

@Javierisnotatryhard 5 ай бұрын

@@MissPepperss I could be. You never know know though brotha take care 🇺🇸

@karlabritfeld7104 5 ай бұрын

Put a lien on the property.

@pamelapolk7128 5 ай бұрын

I work for a Tree Company that has a team of LICENSED and CERTIFIED Arborist! You must ALWAYS vet any company asking for your business.

@I41535D 5 ай бұрын

Shhhhhhhhh it

@user-sf9pq5ox7w 5 ай бұрын

yeah and you guys charge more than a doctor operation.

@I41535D 5 ай бұрын

@@user-sf9pq5ox7w heyyy damm it It’s call a service

@randylacroix5450 5 ай бұрын

Yeh you don"t use a licensed contractor who has insurance, pays taxes, please check your state lic board

@phoso1 5 ай бұрын

So many tree trimmers approached our house soliciting. They drive around LA and look for victims like this lady. I always take their card, MAKE SURE they are license and bonded. Lasting thing you want is lawsuit from your neighbor because of tree or a branch fell on their roof. The homeowner got a good life's lesson for only 2K. It could have been worst. 👍

@user-sf9pq5ox7w 5 ай бұрын

Lol. El Cheapo? That is a red flag right there.

@will7its 5 ай бұрын

The weed man.....only in Kommiefornia....

@johngo9541 5 ай бұрын

“El Cheapo” can’t make this stuff up

@bernardthomas6232 5 ай бұрын

A guy at my work told me he cuts trees as a side job. I asked him "don't you need a license to do that"? And he said "no, not if you know what you're doing"😅

@angrycatowner 5 ай бұрын

Why would anyone pay before the work is completed?

@carolchiu2669 5 ай бұрын

This is a good question! whenever, I hire someone to work in my yard, I always pay after work is done!

@Tearflavoredcereal 5 ай бұрын

There’s no shortage of dummies 😂

@danielkofman4592 5 ай бұрын

Its called a down payment.

@Tearflavoredcereal 5 ай бұрын

@@danielkofman4592 there is still no need to give them any money if the company cannot afford to front the money to begin with they shouldn’t be in business

@Dhh77 5 ай бұрын

Because if you don’t pay them in advance they won’t come typically when you speak with them. That’s why I don’t hire contractors anymore. Nothing I can’t figure out myself and do it the right way.

@MiteshDamania 5 ай бұрын

The license thing is bullcrap. There still is not enough protection for the buyer from being scammed.

@fremontpathfinder8463 5 ай бұрын

Exactly, I have had so many scammer roofers come out. Haven't met an honest one yet.

@socalrefrigeration548 5 ай бұрын

You just need to verify on the CSLB if they are licensed or not. If they are and they scam you report it to the board.

@MiteshDamania 5 ай бұрын

@@socalrefrigeration548 bull. No one is going to do anything. They are all in it to scam the consumer.

@elhugeo 5 ай бұрын

Rule of thumb never ever ever ever pay labor upfront. Anyone demanding more than 15% is potential scam

@elhugeo 5 ай бұрын

Always remember if you don’t pay then contractor can lean your house easily but if you pay all Monroe’s upfront that money is gone with El Cheapo

@jip230 5 ай бұрын

Yeah, always look for someone licensed and bonded. The tree guy could have come and slipped on their property and sued the homeowners for a fortune. I've seen cases like this actually happen where unlicensed individuals create damage because of their lack of knowledge OR they sue the homeowner

@2-old-Forthischet 5 ай бұрын

My GF took an unlicensed contractor to small claims court. It took over two years to get her money back. Even after winning the case, no one at the court helped her as she had to find out for herself on how to get the money back. Times have changed because decades ago, I took a mechanic to small claims court and the Marshall's office in the court got my money back for me for a small fee. They even collected the fee from the other guy for me. From what I understand, an unlicensed "contractor" (handyman) can only charge a maximum of $500 per job and that means the whole job. That doesn't mean he can collect $500, restart and charge another $500, etc.

@Umustbecrazy 5 ай бұрын

Who cuts a tree like that over a house for 2 k ,the liability is crazy,

@user-gg4of8kj6y 5 ай бұрын

The lady is the cheapo

@user-mv9tt4st9k 5 ай бұрын

I wonder if he was bonded and licensed?

@WildlifeWarrior-cr1kk 5 ай бұрын

It can be done I work for a tree company we do it all the time it's best to bring in the crane though

@FlyGuy2000 5 ай бұрын

How can someone, especially a landlord, not know to always hire licensed, insured, and bonded workers?

@mayakattt3475 5 ай бұрын

Never pay the full amount up front

@nogames8982 5 ай бұрын

Trust nobody. Absolutely nobody.

@jjman533 5 ай бұрын

El Cheapo / Weedman is getting much drunko with $2000 worth of Modelo.

@Here4TheHeckOfIt 5 ай бұрын

Too many dishonest business owners out there, whether they're licensed or not. They should be harshly penalized. It's so bad, they're becoming a public nuisance instead of providing good service.

@madlyn792 5 ай бұрын

That is why you NEVER pay up front!

@WildlifeWarrior-cr1kk 5 ай бұрын

@user-mv9tt4st9k 5 ай бұрын

Red Hill Tree Service. Licensed. No money down. Great work. That noted, we NEVER hire anyone who solicits by knocking on our door unless we have vetted their service--we get adverts often because we have several trees in our yards.

@CompoundNihilist 4 ай бұрын

Carolyn Johnson is great.

@nativepride101 5 ай бұрын

Hire pros. Not the guys that know how to do everything.

@2puffs770 5 ай бұрын

You paid for "El Cheapo" and you got what you paid for.

@tumbalo71 5 ай бұрын

These types always seem to be out of town due to an “emergency”.

@BuhodePiedra 5 ай бұрын

Yes yes as a licensed contractor in California and with all the home owners being so overly concerned about risk.. you would think they would want to reduce their legal risk by not continuously breaking the law over and over by hiring cheap unlicensed and uninsured labor.

@TopTopTopD 5 ай бұрын

NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER PAY UP FRONT FOR ANYTHING..THIS SHOULD BE COMMON KNOWLEDGE..

@travelnomad2128 4 ай бұрын

Never pay upfront! I had my wood floor done by someone recommended by a friend and he didn't ask for a dime till work is completely done!!

@ericinla65 5 ай бұрын

NEVER PAY until the work is done to your satisfaction.

@BUILDanAMERICAthatputPEOPLE1st 5 ай бұрын

It is 2023, what adult doesn't know that you do not pay before the work is done

@pamelah6431 5 ай бұрын

You get a contract detailing the scope of work and cost and pay a portion up front and the remainder at the end. It protects both parties. Homeowners screw contractors, too.

@will7its 5 ай бұрын

@@pamelah6431 copy paste oh yeah....

@pcdude2394 5 ай бұрын

The name “El Cheapo” is a red flag

@dentatusdentatus1592 4 ай бұрын

I hired a contractor to cut trees on my property last year. I didn't pay a dime until the work was done.

@sarahbaartmansrevenge 5 ай бұрын

this is a clear example of more money than sense. this woman is a true example of the lazy, cheap, greedy landlords running amok in the state of california!

@user-mv9tt4st9k 5 ай бұрын

Wow. Help me understand how this landlord is "... lazy, cheap, greedy... " She was intending to protect her renters by removing a potentially dangerous tree when she fell for a contractor in the neighborhood scam. I rented from a cheap landlord who clearly had an issue with a woman living on her own. I had to enlist a lawyer to get him to straighten up and abide by the most basic tenant laws.

@foreignnwhipcrasher 4 ай бұрын

Them knocking on your door asking for work should have been a red flag 🚩

@adelmomontero3554 5 ай бұрын

It's the homeowners fault period.

@ChrisAsipyan 5 ай бұрын

I would never pay upfront

@Gfysimpletons 5 ай бұрын

@@ChrisAsipyannope……half down for a reputable company is acceptable!

@ChrisAsipyan 5 ай бұрын

@@Gfysimpletons I agree, if its a reputable company and you have done your research. Half down would work

@ericcarson342 5 ай бұрын

Calm down. Could have been your mom these people scammed. She's not blaming anyone else. She's making others aware of what is out there and to learn from her mistake.

@jimjones-pz1tt 5 ай бұрын

@@Gfysimpletons Wake up, Dummy! The reporter cited the law: Maximum $1,000 or 10% of the total cost up front.

@jimjones-pz1tt 5 ай бұрын

The Clue was EL CHEAPO.

@stefanfrankel8157 5 ай бұрын

Never buy anything from someone that shows up at your door unrequested.

@JT-nu1oi 5 ай бұрын

El Cheapo says it all!!! That's what happens when you hire none liscence contractors because your Cheapo ,lesson learned

@dannyphan1352 4 ай бұрын

A lone lawn mower in the back of the truck is a RED FLAG. LOL

@veecee8842 5 ай бұрын

She could have contacted a local nursery and asked for advice as well. Before just giving away that much money! Pasadena has many local and knowledgeable nurseries who could have recommended a professional landscaping company who are more than capable of getting the job done before demanding payment!

@pamelah6431 5 ай бұрын

You get a contract detailing the scope of work and cost and pay a portion up front and the remainder at the end. It protects both parties. Homeowners screw contractors, too.

@ericcarson342 5 ай бұрын

Very true.

@lyndalarose9200 5 ай бұрын

I've seen that happen too.

@fremontpathfinder8463 5 ай бұрын

Yep. I hire only bonded, licensed and insured. They have been out three times. The last time they damaged some blacktop but because they are bonded and insured they took care of it and had it repaved. You never pay up front. In fact, the tree trimmers secretary would call me a couple of days after the job to pay.

@pamelah6431 5 ай бұрын

What do you need them to be bonded for? Do you know what that means?

@pamelah6431 5 ай бұрын

PS: you should definitely pay half up and half at the end on any job done around your house. There should also be a contract upholding you, the homeowner, to the agreed payment. It all goes both ways.

@matthuber9936 5 ай бұрын

My landlord hired some unlicensed contractors a few years ago and they broke the back door that was attached to my room and I got evicted and charged for damages. I sued my landlord in small claims courts, and the JUDGE SIDED WITH HER! We as renters are getting SO screwed!

@karlabritfeld7104 5 ай бұрын

This story sounds fishy

@matthuber9936 5 ай бұрын

@@karlabritfeld7104 I agree - That's why I don't even tell this story in real life any more. You're obviously of the generation that screwed the world, so I wouldn't expect you to understand...

@chestyvulva 5 ай бұрын

Right, it sounds like someone who can't accept their own actions. 😂@@karlabritfeld7104

@Scleavers 4 ай бұрын

@@karlabritfeld7104something like "dog ate my homework" 😅

@KOVIDGOON 5 ай бұрын

Just a good migrant daca dreamer.

@mmm3ike 5 ай бұрын

For most jobs only pay after the work is done fully as agreed. If the guy disagrees it might be a red flag.

@marklanza5023 5 ай бұрын

The weed man is in utah

@thunderboltpenetrator8498 4 ай бұрын

It means that if you hire a licensed contractor … expect to be billed way more than $500 minimum

@mayshin2008 5 ай бұрын

Why would you pay upfront? I don't pay until the work is done..

@tranger4579 5 ай бұрын

2000 to down a tree is absurd.

@user-mv9tt4st9k 5 ай бұрын

It cost more than that to have our Chinese elm and black pines pruned. It cost $3,000 or more to take out a tree like hers.

@MadStyle1911 5 ай бұрын

For the love of god, stop hiring unlicensed/unbonded contractors sheesh.

@eajinabi 5 ай бұрын

Why do you care? Is it your money? Some people do it to save hundreds if not thousands of dollars. That's their choice and they will take the risk....not you.

@WildlifeWarrior-cr1kk 5 ай бұрын

@joshmonus 5 ай бұрын

Don't pay anything up front, especially if the job doesn't require parts/materials.

@jazzfan7491 5 ай бұрын

El Cheapo? That's a warning sign if ever I heard one

@seanphn 5 ай бұрын

Lack of due diligence. Do your research, look up local arborists, read testimonies and reviews and compare quotes. This goes for all contractor related work. And if it seems like the price is too good to be true, it probably is.

@FixItWithMe 5 ай бұрын

What happens if u hire an unlicensed or uninsured contractor to take a tree down and it damages ur property or a neighbors property? Are they responsible for the damage?

@scruffy7443 5 ай бұрын

El Cheapo, Illegal alien?

@avidcollector869 5 ай бұрын

Party supplies and yard work are the usual "business" they start up

@orbscorbs 4 ай бұрын

Giving an unknown contractor $2,000 up front is idiotic. Why do we have to keep saving people from their own stupidity? "We can afford this," she says. Obviously, they didn't work for the money, either.

@lllandscaping4951 5 ай бұрын

Never paid upfront. That was the problem .

@KrazeDiamond 5 ай бұрын

Only ever pay AFTER the job is done.

@Lsantana84 4 ай бұрын

Closet world charges 50% at sign up and then the other half …before they even start the work. Watch out

@f5fstop 4 ай бұрын

Never use the guy who comes to a door unsolicited. Search for licensed and BONDED contractors and get bids and before the job commences get proof of license and bond. Otherwise the person is a fool and deserves to be screwed.

@rogerbec5766 5 ай бұрын

Never pay up front until services are rendered. Doesn't matter if he looks like trustworthy.

@successfullym3 5 ай бұрын

I had to take an unlicensed "contractor" to small claims court back in August. He charged 20k for some adu work and had me pay him 10k upfront....then tried to bail after only doing 2 things. I won 5k in court. Thank God i made him do a contract and tool plenty of pictures of how he left my place

@markh4926 5 ай бұрын

Just because you own a chainsaw does not mean you know what you are doing. A friend asked me to look at some work he needed done at his house. Turns out he wanted me to knock down six Eucalyptus trees which were huge. I wondered if he thought I was superman.

@SB335i 4 ай бұрын

Why the hell did she pay first? And all up front. Half or when job is complete.

@josetrujillo9906 5 ай бұрын

Why did contractor need 2K up front? Red flag right there.

@bgregg55 5 ай бұрын

When a guy knocks on your door soliciting work & his truck says "El Cheapo Tree Service" you might give pause. But maybe it's just me.

@vernonthiede8439 5 ай бұрын

Just have them break the project into 500 Dollar Chunks. Done!

@thorsrensen3162 5 ай бұрын

I have always done this type of work myself, as well as change oil on my car motor. It is much cheaper if you know what you are doing.

@avidcollector869 5 ай бұрын

Did that contractor even speak english lol

@e5toro7008 5 ай бұрын

Do you guys pay your mechanics BEFORE or AFTER they've serviced your vehicles?? 🤔🤔 EXACTLY!!! NEVER EVER EVER PAY ANYTHING UP FRONT!

@harmanpabla7315 5 ай бұрын

Why would you pay before the work is done?

@victorcarrera4091 5 ай бұрын

"El Cheapo", "The Weedman"? 😅

@thebadgerette69 5 ай бұрын

Ummmm

@stevekuresa5139 5 ай бұрын

It's sure was Cheapo. I don't give them the money until the job is finished.

@dmpi483 5 ай бұрын

No way would I hire 'the weed man' .

@Minibike817 5 ай бұрын

Never pay until the Job is done

@userbutnotabuser24 5 ай бұрын

Why pay upfront?

@yurydolinsky 5 ай бұрын

Really lol? El Chipo? 😂😂😂😂😂

@papagen00 5 ай бұрын

El Cheapo 😂😂🤣🤣

@episodebeats2817 5 ай бұрын

Better than them breaking into your house & robbing you but still stings.

@supportmytroups7 5 ай бұрын

First you don’t do is talk to a door to door guy and pay them upfront

@stevenmorris2293 5 ай бұрын

😅😅😂 If you hired someone who goes by these two names … you have entered the world of stupidity.

@truckingwithtobee 5 ай бұрын

Never be a stupid is this woman you never pay for work upfront ever! And if they ask for money, upfront, you walk away! This was completely her fault.

@smar5812 5 ай бұрын

Never pay up front… and always do you due diligence … especially if a tree is leaning over your buildings

@PasadenaContractors Ай бұрын

She lost me at “I can afford it” lol

@josetomas8816 5 ай бұрын

No license...2000......with license 7000....how much you want to pay...??

@conqueringlion420 5 ай бұрын

I’m El cheapos friend, he already smoked that tree $ and he’s passed out in a water ditch possibly dead. No point in calling the news the $ is gone😂

@CurlyCurly52 5 ай бұрын

1:32 what the hell is that b-roll 😂

@jesussaquin6266 5 ай бұрын

“El Cheapo” 😂

@WildlifeWarrior-cr1kk 5 ай бұрын

A license is a joke you can still be a scammer

@daviddiehl-gy2sq 5 ай бұрын

All a lisence means is that your check cleared.

@Dieselpwr 5 ай бұрын

That’s on them don’t hire someone knowing unless you know they can do the job

@ph43draaa 5 ай бұрын

Yeah they deserved to be scammed for even more. How on earth do you not do due diligence on El Cheapo????

@user-tq5qu8sc5s 5 ай бұрын

The state and county wants their money first. They need your tax $ too.

@Zhcwu 4 ай бұрын

Hmmm, my parents had 2 huge Pines in the backyard I think cost the same but they paid after the job was done.

@abdonelectric957 5 ай бұрын

never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever pay a contractor up front. are you insane. they want money up front then hire somebody else. if they cant get materials on credit then you kno0w theres a hidden problem