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.
@@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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 👍
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"😅
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.
@@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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I got scammed by a dentist once for $200, never pay in full at the front desk only if the procedure is 100% done, if they ask you to pay any money before the procedure, just walk away and go to another dentist.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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 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...
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?
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.
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.
Really? You paid in full upfront. Either licensed or unlicensed contractor, you always pay first half the cost of work and once done you pay the second half. I've dealt some of them like this, never ever pay them in full. This baby girl 1:46 doesn't know jack in dealing with contractors. LOL
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.
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.
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.
Somebody having a license does not mean that you're going to get that level of skilled labor it means that they go in and take a test that says pay your taxes pay your taxes pay your taxes I'm retired license floor covering contractor
The fraud laws on contractors are lacking. It should be a felony to commit fraud.
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.
@@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?
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.
Fraud of all kind in California is off the scale. We have no protections in this failed government.
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.
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.
I know right!
😂😂😂
$2,000 up front. No way. El Cheapo 😂 Bahahaha.
More like El Pendejo 😂
He realized that tree requires more machinery than a chainsaw from lowes 😅
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.
And will cost more than 2k
yea he knew exactly what he was doing, he gets the money, does minimal work the 1st day then never seen again.
Never hire someone who just shows up at your door and do your research check license and yelp reviews.
These ppl are too dumb to own a house
There are plenty of people who scam contractors too, they never pay after the service is done.
I've heard of that happening also, working in Community Development like I do.
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.
You are right! @@Javierisnotatryhard
@@MissPepperss I could be. You never know know though brotha take care 🇺🇸
Put a lien on the property.
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.
Shhhhhhhhh it
yeah and you guys charge more than a doctor operation.
@@user-sf9pq5ox7w heyyy damm it
It’s call a service
Yeh you don"t use a licensed contractor who has insurance, pays taxes, please check your state lic board
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. 👍
Never never pay upfront, 10% upfront at most in CA
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"😅
Lol. El Cheapo? That is a red flag right there.
The weed man.....only in Kommiefornia....
Just a good migrant daca dreamer.
“El Cheapo” can’t make this stuff up
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.
Why would anyone pay before the work is completed?
This is a good question! whenever, I hire someone to work in my yard, I always pay after work is done!
There’s no shortage of dummies 😂
Its called a down payment.
@@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
@Stratoliner5 then find a new contractor
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
A license is a joke you can still be a scammer
The license thing is bullcrap. There still is not enough protection for the buyer from being scammed.
Exactly, I have had so many scammer roofers come out. Haven't met an honest one yet.
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.
@@socalrefrigeration548 bull. No one is going to do anything. They are all in it to scam the consumer.
Rule of thumb never ever ever ever pay labor upfront. Anyone demanding more than 15% is potential scam
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
Get city workers I guess I know it's an arm n leg but yeah they need to be licensed or at least permitted
You paid for "El Cheapo" and you got what you paid for.
El Cheapo says it all!!!
That's what happens when you hire none liscence contractors because your Cheapo ,lesson learned
Who cuts a tree like that over a house for 2 k ,the liability is crazy,
The lady is the cheapo
I wonder if he was bonded and licensed?
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
"El Cheapo", "The Weedman"? 😅
Ummmm
Deemen 😊
Carolyn Johnson is great.
It's sure was Cheapo. I don't give them the money until the job is finished.
The Clue was EL CHEAPO.
Just have them break the project into 500 Dollar Chunks. Done!
The name “El Cheapo” is a red flag
El cheapo 😂.....DeadGiveaway.....DeadGiveaway... .El Scammo is way more better
The weed man🤣
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.
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.
El Cheapo / Weedman is getting much drunko with $2000 worth of Modelo.
Did that contractor even speak english lol
How can someone, especially a landlord, not know to always hire licensed, insured, and bonded workers?
NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER PAY UP FRONT FOR ANYTHING..THIS SHOULD BE COMMON KNOWLEDGE..
It's the homeowners fault period.
I would never pay upfront
@@ChrisAsipyannope……half down for a reputable company is acceptable!
@@Gfysimpletons I agree, if its a reputable company and you have done your research. Half down would work
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.
@@Gfysimpletons Wake up, Dummy! The reporter cited the law: Maximum $1,000 or 10% of the total cost up front.
Trust nobody. Absolutely nobody.
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.
Never pay the full amount up front
For the love of god, stop hiring unlicensed/unbonded contractors sheesh.
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.
Ok
I got scammed by a dentist once for $200, never pay in full at the front desk only if the procedure is 100% done, if they ask you to pay any money before the procedure, just walk away and go to another dentist.
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!
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.
El Cheapo 😂😂🤣🤣
I hired a contractor to cut trees on my property last year. I didn't pay a dime until the work was done.
NEVER PAY until the work is done to your satisfaction.
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!!
That is why you NEVER pay up front!
Ok
Hire pros.
Not the guys that know how to do everything.
These types always seem to be out of town due to an “emergency”.
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.
Very true.
I've seen that happen too.
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.
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
U r such a nice lady
Why would you pay before the work is done?
No way would I hire 'the weed man' .
2000 to down a tree is absurd.
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.
Why would you pay upfront? I don't pay until the work is done..
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!
Why pay upfront?
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!
This story sounds fishy
@@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...
@@karlabritfeld7104something like "dog ate my homework" 😅
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?
El Cheapo, Illegal alien?
Party supplies and yard work are the usual "business" they start up
El Cheapo 😂
A lone lawn mower in the back of the truck is a RED FLAG. LOL
El Cheapo 🎉😅
My elderly mother hired one. He stole the avocados from the tree and destroyed it. It will no longer bear fruit. Don’t trust these crooks.
I've never had any tree service. Want money up front, they'll have you sign a contract stating the fee, but homeowners they can get money from
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.
What do you need them to be bonded for? Do you know what that means?
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.
Never buy anything from someone that shows up at your door unrequested.
Really? You paid in full upfront. Either licensed or unlicensed contractor, you always pay first half the cost of work and once done you pay the second half. I've dealt some of them like this, never ever pay them in full. This baby girl 1:46 doesn't know jack in dealing with contractors. LOL
They thought he was a godsend.... he was really a demonsend, from the god of this system, Satan.
1john5,19
1:32 what the hell is that b-roll 😂
The name "El cheapo" the biggest red flag 😂
For most jobs only pay after the work is done fully as agreed. If the guy disagrees it might be a red flag.
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.
Really lol? El Chipo? 😂😂😂😂😂
Why the hell did she pay first? And all up front. Half or when job is complete.
😅😅😂
If you hired someone who goes by these two names … you have entered the world of stupidity.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It means that if you hire a licensed contractor … expect to be billed way more than $500 minimum
No license...2000......with license 7000....how much you want to pay...??
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.
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😂
“El Cheapo” 😂
Don't pay anything up front, especially if the job doesn't require parts/materials.
The first red flag was the name …..El Cheapo 😂.
Why isn’t the state doing something to crack down on these and license contractors? It’s very easy to find them. They’re all advertising everywhere.
Closet world charges 50% at sign up and then the other half …before they even start the work. Watch out
That’s too cheap. That’s a $12000 job. She knew better.
The weed man is in utah
Never pay up front until services are rendered. Doesn't matter if he looks like trustworthy.
So this had absolutely nothing to do with the fact it was an unlicensed tree guy, and everything to do with a guy just taking their money and running.
El cheapo 😂 sounds like something from family guy
Better than them breaking into your house & robbing you but still stings.
Yeah they deserved to be scammed for even more. How on earth do you not do due diligence on El Cheapo????
Somebody having a license does not mean that you're going to get that level of skilled labor it means that they go in and take a test that says pay your taxes pay your taxes pay your taxes I'm retired license floor covering contractor