Recently, fire departments around the County have received reports of unsolicited inspections of fire protection systems and fire safety systems in businesses. These are unscrupulous tactics by dubious businesses hoping to scam money from anxious business owners.
The Carlsbad Fire Department has a business inspection program to ensure your fire safety as it relates to the fire and building codes. At times, fire code violations occur and corrections need to be made. The inspector, who is a clearly identified City employee, addresses these in writing. You can make some of these corrections yourself; others require the services of private, licensed, technical contractors.
If you need to hire a contractor, make certain they are licensed and that license is up to date. Ask to see it. Every licensed contractor in the state of California is issued a plastic wallet card with his or her respective license number. You can also check the status of this license by visiting the California Contractor License Board at www.cslb.ca.gov/licensing or by calling 1-800-321-CSLB
Some licenses will have one or more classifications relating to the specialty work they perform. These classifications can be checked at www.cslb.ca.gov/licensing/classifications.asp.
The State of California Contractor License Board offers the following ten (10) tips for making sure your contractor measures up:
1. Hire only licensed contractors.
2. Check the contractor's license number by calling 1-800-321-CSLB or by doing a license check on-line.
3. Get three references and review past work.
4. Get at least three bids.
5. Get a written contract and do not sign anything until you completely understand the terms.
6. Pay 10% down or $1,000.00, whichever is less.
7. Don't let payments get ahead of work. Keep records of payments.
8. Don't make the final payment until you're satisfied with the job.
9. Don't pay cash.
10. Keep a job file of all papers relating to your project.
Remember, your Fire Department Inspector will be in uniform with identification readily available. You will either get a written notice of corrections at the time of the inspection or it will be mailed to you on official letterhead. These are the only corrections you need to make. No more, no less. We DO NOT send contractors to your business.
If you have any questions about the inspection or the contractor you hire, please contact the Carlsbad Fire Department at (760) 602-4666, or contact the Contractors State License Board.
The Carlsbad Fire Department has a business inspection program to ensure your fire safety as it relates to the fire and building codes. At times, fire code violations occur and corrections need to be made. The inspector, who is a clearly identified City employee, addresses these in writing. You can make some of these corrections yourself; others require the services of private, licensed, technical contractors.
If you need to hire a contractor, make certain they are licensed and that license is up to date. Ask to see it. Every licensed contractor in the state of California is issued a plastic wallet card with his or her respective license number. You can also check the status of this license by visiting the California Contractor License Board at www.cslb.ca.gov/licensing or by calling 1-800-321-CSLB
Some licenses will have one or more classifications relating to the specialty work they perform. These classifications can be checked at www.cslb.ca.gov/licensing/classifications.asp.
The State of California Contractor License Board offers the following ten (10) tips for making sure your contractor measures up:
1. Hire only licensed contractors.
2. Check the contractor's license number by calling 1-800-321-CSLB or by doing a license check on-line.
3. Get three references and review past work.
4. Get at least three bids.
5. Get a written contract and do not sign anything until you completely understand the terms.
6. Pay 10% down or $1,000.00, whichever is less.
7. Don't let payments get ahead of work. Keep records of payments.
8. Don't make the final payment until you're satisfied with the job.
9. Don't pay cash.
10. Keep a job file of all papers relating to your project.
Remember, your Fire Department Inspector will be in uniform with identification readily available. You will either get a written notice of corrections at the time of the inspection or it will be mailed to you on official letterhead. These are the only corrections you need to make. No more, no less. We DO NOT send contractors to your business.
If you have any questions about the inspection or the contractor you hire, please contact the Carlsbad Fire Department at (760) 602-4666, or contact the Contractors State License Board.