Calculate damages for defective work, abandonment, unlicensed contractor disgorgement (B&P 7031), treble damages (B&P 7160), and CSLB bond recovery
California provides some of the strongest consumer protections for homeowners dealing with contractor disputes. This calculator estimates damages across six categories: direct damages (cost to repair/complete), disgorgement (if unlicensed), treble damages (if willful), CSLB bond recovery, consequential damages, and prejudgment interest. For Washington contractor disputes, the analogous strength assessment runs through the Washington CPA Demand Strength Analyzer, which scores the five Hangman Ridge elements when an unregistered or deceptive-practice claim under Chapter 18.27 RCW can be framed as a Washington Consumer Protection Act matter.
Under B&P 7031, an unlicensed contractor must return all compensation received — regardless of the quality of work. This is often the single largest recovery source. You can verify license status at the CSLB website (cslb.ca.gov).
Requires unlicensed contractors to disgorge all compensation received. No quality defense — even if the work was perfect.
Home improvement contracts over $500 must be in writing and contain specific provisions. Violations can void the contract.
Willful departure from accepted trade standards or willful violation of plans/specifications triggers up to 4x actual damages.
10% per annum on unpaid sums from the date they were due.
Under B&P 7031, an unlicensed contractor must return ALL money you paid them, regardless of whether the work was good or bad. This "disgorgement" remedy is automatic — the contractor has virtually no defense. Additionally, you can recover the cost to hire a licensed contractor to complete or repair the work, plus consequential damages.
Visit the CSLB website at cslb.ca.gov and use the license lookup tool. Verify the license was active during the entire period work was performed. A license that expired mid-project means the contractor was unlicensed for work after expiration, triggering B&P 7031 disgorgement for those payments.
Licensed contractors must maintain a $25,000 contractor's license bond. You can file a claim against this bond through the bonding company (listed on the CSLB website). The bond provides guaranteed recovery up to $25,000, even if the contractor is bankrupt. Filing a bond claim is free and does not require an attorney.
Under B&P 7160, you can recover up to 4x actual damages when a home improvement contractor: willfully departs from accepted trade standards, willfully uses deceptive practices to induce the contract, or willfully violates the plans and specifications. "Willful" means the contractor knew the standards and intentionally departed from them.
If your written contract contains an attorney fees clause, you can recover fees under CC 1717. Additionally, UCL claims (B&P 17200) and certain CSLB violations may support fee recovery. For claims under $12,500, small claims court avoids attorney fees entirely.
Yes. Filing a CSLB complaint is free, creates an official record, and can result in license suspension or revocation. The CSLB investigation can also produce evidence useful in your civil case. Importantly, the CSLB can facilitate mediation between you and the contractor at no cost.
For breach of written contract: 4 years (CCP 337). For breach of oral contract: 2 years (CCP 339). For fraud/deception: 3 years (CCP 338). For construction defects: up to 10 years under CCP 337.15 depending on the type of defect. The discovery rule may extend these deadlines for latent defects.
I draft professional demand letters citing B&P 7031, 7159, and 7160 with itemized damages. Most contractors respond within 10 business days.