Hiring a contractor can be the part of home building and or remodeling that causes more apprehension and worry than many things we face in life.

How can you be assured you have a good contractor, someone you can trust to do a good quality job for a fair price and one that stands behind his or her work?

Regrettably, there are no guarantees. However if you do your research, you will improve the odds of getting a contractor you will be happy with.

• Interview several qualified licensed contractors/re-modelers and get written bids.

• Check Out The Contractor and make sure that he or she is licensed and boded.

• Ask for references and check them out.  If possible, view the work, interview the homeowner and visit a site with work in progress.

With Betlan Construction, you can rest assured that you are ALWAYS getting a quality construction builder you will always have your best interest in mind first and foremost.

Workers’ compensation insurance is a requirement for the issuance of an active license, reactivation of an inactive license, and for the maintenance of an actively renewed license, unless the licensee does not employ anyone in a manner that is subject to the workers’ compensation laws of California (Business and Professions Code, Section 7125). Workers’ compensation insurance is not required for expired or inactive licenses.

Licensees are required to submit proof of their workers’ compensation insurance coverage to the CSLB. If the licensee does not employ anyone in a manner that is subject to the workers’ compensation laws of California, they are required to submit an Exemption from Workers’ Compensation form to the CSLB.

You can find this article on the Contractor’s State License Board.

Betlan Construction has many Construction Discounts going on right now for all your home construction. We contract home construction jobs throughout most of Northern California.

So if you are considering doing a construction re-model, add an addition to your home, or are in need of some home repairs; give us a call and we would love to come out and give you a FREE Estimate.

Yes, Betlan Construction gives FREE Estimates on Home Construction. 

Feel free to contact us anytime!

You may reach us by calling (209) 304-0597 or

By sending us an email at: Click Here To Send an Email!

Our Website: —> www.betlanconstruction.com <—

This SPECIAL is for a Limited Time

1. Plan Out Your Construction Project before contacting any contractors so that you know exactly what you want done and can clearly explain it to all contractors coming to give you an estimate on your job.  You will be less likely to be misunderstood or misunderstand instructions along the way.
2. Interview several qualified licensed contractors/re-modelers and get written bids. Read carefully all parts of the bids, including the scope of work, warranties, references, time frames and price.
3. Check Out The Contractor and make sure that he or she is licensed and boded.  You can go to the Contractors State License Board to check out a license.  Call up all the references and maybe even go and check out the work on their projects.
4. Check Out The Contractor using other resources such as the Better Business Bureau.
5. Ask for references and check them out!! Speak to as many references as you can.  If possible, view the work, interview the homeowner and visit a site with work in progress.
6. Get a Disclosure Statement. Make sure you receive the Notice to Customer (disclosure statement) before work begins.
7. Check for warning signs of a SCAM!!

• Provides a credential or reference that can’t be verified.
• Offers a special price only if you sign today, or uses other high-pressure sales techniques.
• Only accepts cash, require large deposits or the entire costs up front, or asks you to make the payment in their name.
• Does not provide a written contract or complete bid.
• Asks you to get the building permit. In most instances, if you have hired a contractor, the contractor is required to take out the permits. Permits are your protection and help ensure that work will meet local building codes.
• Offers exceptionally long warranties.
• Wants to do most or all the work on weekends and after hours.
• Gives you an offer that sounds “too good to be true.”

Cuts in electrical wire?

We, Betlan Construction were recently on a job to repair damages that was left by another Contractor. The home owner was having problems with their cable so I went under their home to find electrical lines that were cut down to the copper wire and with black burnt marks on them. 

Instead of the contractor repairing the cut that they made the proper way, they instead taped it up with yellow tape. The proper way to repair a cut electrical wire is to place this in a junction box which has to be accessible either inside the home or on the outside of the home. Not hidden out of sight and buried.

As you can clearly see in this picture, the cut electrical line was hidden under the home owners home and not repaired up to code. This if not found could have caused the home owner to loose their home and maybe even lives to fire.

We then proceeded to uncover many cut electrical lines like the one you see in the picture and repaired all cuts to code. The home owner now is feeling safe again.

Contractors State License Board Warns Californians:
Don’t Get Burned When Going Solar

Hot tips protect consumers from solar energy scammers

SACRAMENTO — The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is alerting California homeowners about the need to select a licensed and qualified contractor before signing a contract for a solar energy project. Consumers who want to “go green” and take advantage of state and federal rebates and tax credits could be preyed upon by unlicensed, unscrupulous, or unaware contractors.

Unlicensed contractors in several parts of California have been convicted or are being investigated on suspicion of taking thousands of dollars from consumers for solar energy systems that were incorrectly installed – or not installed at all. Consumers may not qualify for government incentives if contractors fail to enter into solar energy contracts correctly.

CSLB urges consumers to consider the following tips before selecting a contractor for their home’s solar power installation:

• Always check for the contractor’s CSLB license. The state and federal government will not grant rebates or credits for a solar system installed by an unlicensed contractor. Ask the contractor to show you his or her pocket license and a photo identification to make sure it is the same person. Compare this to the license information at www.cslb.ca.gov to make sure this individual is a legitimate member of the business indicated on the license.
• Check the registration of sales representatives who solicit a contract on behalf of a contractor. A sales representative must be a Registered Home Improvement Salesperson (HIS) with CSLB. Ask to see the HIS registration card and ID, then check it on the CSLB website to make sure that individual is actually an employee of the licensed contractor before you sign a contract.
• Check your contractor’s license classification on the CSLB website. Your utility company may require that a solar system be installed by a contractor with a specific classification.
• Don’t pay more than $1,000 as a down payment or 10%, whichever is less, for any contract. There is an exception for about two dozen contractors with special, consumer protection bonds that are noted on CSLB’s website.
• Don’t be pressured into signing a contract by intimidation tactics, such as losing out on government incentives for not acting quickly. This might be a hint that the contractor does not have your best interests in mind.

“Take a few minutes to research contractors by using the “Instant License Check” and other helpful tools on CSLB’s website,” said CSLB Registrar Steve Sands. “Legitimate, licensed contractors want customers to be comfortable and confident with the contracts they are signing. And licensees are more likely to do all that is required in order to receive available state and federal incentives for alternative energy.”

More information about hiring contractors is available on the CSLB website or by calling 800-321-CSLB (2752).

The Contractors State License Board operates under the umbrella of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. CSLB licenses and regulates more than 300,000 California contractors, and is regarded as one of the leading consumer protection agencies in the United States. In fiscal year 2008-09, CSLB investigated more than 20,000 complaints and helped recover nearly $36 million in ordered restitution for consumers.

CSLB Press Release – 05/10/10

From time to time, we at Betlan Construction will add information on our blog for you the consumer from The Contractors State License Board.

• Anyone performing construction work in California that totals $500 dollars or more in labor and materials must be licensed by CSLB.

• The construction industry is one the largest industries in California. www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov

• Licensed contractors must demonstrate at least 4 years of experience/education in the trade for which they are licensed, be fingerprinted, have an FBI background check, and be bonded.

• CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) conducts stings and sweeps somewhere in California each week.

• Unlicensed contractors are part of the $60-140 billion dollar underground economy that does not pay taxes, insurance, or follow safety laws. www.dir.ca.gov/EEEC/EEEC.html

• First time offenders are often issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) for misdemeanor charges of contracting without a license or illegal advertising. The NTA carries a maximum of six months in jail and/or up to a $1,000 fine.

• Additional convictions raise the fines to 20 percent of the contract price for the work performed, (or $4500), along with a 90-day jail sentence.

State Contractors Board

Like the roots of the great Sequoia Redwood, the foundation of your house are the roots in which  a Custom House sprouts out of the ground.

And when you use a Quality Builder like Betlan Construction your custom home will become the Dream home you anticipated it would be, sound, strong and Beautiful.

Betlan Construction is located in Amador County, We have been Serving northern California for over 30 years. When you choose Betlan Construction our professionals will work closely with you to design the home that you Desire.

Betlan Construction is a Design Build Simply put, this delivery method protects a client from additional cost, over runs and change orders, compared to the typical low-bid way of doing business. Design build also protects you from the additional cost associated with schedule delays, subcontractor coordination issues, labor shortages, material escalation costs and a multitude of issues that always lead to change orders and increased cost.

Contact info: email brian@betlanconstruction.com

Our website: www.betlanconstruction.com

Last week we started a Remodel for a young family member. He is a CHP officer with a beautiful wife and two super cute children.

He took advantage of the market and bought his first home. Also he gets the first time home buyers tax credit. When we are done they will have a new Kitchen cabinets, tile floor & lights not to mention Appliances.

New Bathrooms, the house has 2 1/2 bathrooms all of which will have new tile floors, cabinets, counter tops, tubs & toilets. Paint and carpets throughout, all new doors, lights & fans.

They will also have a arched pass through which will open up the kitchen to the dining room. I appreciate that they picked Betlan Construction to transform this house into a home.

I would like to say how proud I am of the achievements both as a CHP officer and family man Ed has accomplished at such a young age.

I will Post pictures when we are done.

Contact Info.

email: brian@betlanconstruction.com

website: www.betlanconstruction.com

Concrete Foundations, from Slabs Floors to Conventional Foundations, Step Foundations and Retaining walls. Yes Betlan Construction dose all kinds of concrete, Driveways, Sidewalks, Foundations & Counter Tops.

Concrete Kitchen Counter Tops are a design whose time has come, the Colors and Designs are endless, Concrete Counter Tops are durable and fashionable. Concrete Counter Tops can give Granite counter tops a run for there money.

Maintenance and upkeep are also a PLUS! As always Betlan Construction’s low prices coupled with our Quality Guarantee places us above our competition.

You can contact Betlan Construction at:

email: brian@betlanconstruction.com

website: www.betlanconstruction.com