CBS 7 Eye-Team Investigation: To Catch A Contractor Part 2/2

Under the watch of hidden cameras, we catch unlicensed contractors right here in West Texas trying to get work.

But without a license there's no way to know if the contractor really knows what they're doing.

When dealing with a-c units... Or electrical wiring... One small error can cause massive damage to your home.

We begin with 25-year-old Danny Leyva, a midland man caught on camera bidding on an ac job without a license.

This was not Danny's first run-in with investigators.

After some digging, we found Danny Leyva has started jobs without a license. Right now, the City of Odessa is actively investigating Mr. Leyva.

"One of the city inspector's was out on a site and at that time, that's when he discovered Mr. Leyva was working without a license. "

The pictures prove it. This notification shows Leyva was ordered by the city to stop all work on this AC job until he gets his license. That was in April. It's now July and he still doesn't have it- forcing the homeowner to find someone else to finish his job.

"He's very aware that's there's an investigation against him."

Both the city of Odessa and the state say, if Leyva can lie to our cameras, unlicensed contractors can lie to you.

"It's very serious. There's a liability on the consumer."

"Unless they become fully licensed and insured- they cannot perform air conditioning or electrical work within the state of Texas."

No exceptions.

" Just applying, applying years ago, or in the process of applying- that doesn't count."

And unless you ask, you may not know they are unlicensed.

"These guys, the minute you tell them you've got cash, they will come down here."

But even before they walk through your home and give you a bid they are in violation of state law.

"The first violation was putting that ad in the paper offering their services."

"They can only advertise if they have a license number, and even then it could be expired."

"The 2nd violation would be coming down here and bidding on work that they aren't licensed to do."

"You can receive up to a $5,000 fine per violation per day."

But sometimes, that $5,000 fine is pennies compared to the damage done to your home- bad electrical work or a botched AC installation with that your insurance company will not cover because they are unlicensed.

"Guessing. They're just guessing that's what that property needs. They're not taking full measurements of the house, the square footage, how many plugs, what kind of AC unit's gonna be up there. They just want to cut as many corners as possible."

If they are caught while working on your home you are stuck with finding another contractor to finish the job. And most times, if you plan on selling your home, you're going to have to show proof of all work done on your home, and if it's not all done by a licensed contractor it may be a while until you can sell.

"We want to be sure that the person who comes out has the proper license, the experience, the insurance and has the ability to perform these critical functions inside their home."

There are several ways you can find out who is knocking on your door.
Like we mentioned earlier, cities and the state investigate unlicensed contractors.
Check with your city hall, the better business bureau or visit the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation's website- linked below.

http://www.license.state.tx.us/ To research and report violations or complaints to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulaion online.

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• Catch
• Contractor
• Danny
• Leyva
• Odessa
• Texas
• unlicensed

[surfertube44]

I see lic. contractors do shity work too.They should go after the wall street crooks more, and make it cheaper to have a state contractors lic !

[hdyudu]

i think 100% of this peaple scams that do a dangerous redneck job to be greedy

[ZR1Terror]

@munecao are you one of those who steals people's identities, like Social Security Numbers??

[ZR1Terror]

No shit, I have to put up with so many plumbers working with out a license getting all the jobs at a cheaper price, I never get a new residential job, those illegal immigrants with no license are taking all the jobs. if fucking sucks.