HomeCo Alhambra — Local services in Alhambra

Unlicensed California contractor. Buyer beware.

California Business & Professions Code § 7031 sets forth the basic restrictions on an unlicensed contractor’s right to collect compensation for work that requires a license. Unlicensed contractors cannot file a lawsuit to collect compensation for the performance of any act or contract where a license is required, regardless of the merits of the lawsuit.1 As recently as 1999, the California courts have made the issue very clear. Because of the strength and clarity of the California legislature’s policy of protecting consumers from unscrupulous contractor Business & Professions Code § 7031 applies despite any alleged injustice to the unlicensed contractor. It represents a legislative determination that the importance of deterring unlicensed persons from engaging in the contracting business outweighs any harshness between the parties, and that such deterrence can best be realized by denying unlicensed contractors the right to sue for compensation. s, 2

On the other hand, a person who utilizes the services of an unlicensed contractor can bring a lawsuit to recover all of the money paid to the unlicensed contractor for performance of any act or contract where a license is required.3 This penalty operates even where the person for whom work was performed knew that the contractor was unlicensed; § 7031 places the risk of such bad faith squarely on the unlicensed contractor’s shoulders.4 If security is taken to secure payment for the performance of any act or contract for which a license is required, an unlicensed contractor will be unable to foreclose on that security because the underlying security agreement will be deemed unenforceable.5

In short, if you are a contractor and you want to be paid for your services, you had better be licensed. If not, the property owner or the other party with whom you have contracted will be able to avoid its responsibility to pay you, the California Courts will provide no assistance to such unlicensed contractor, and you may be required to return payments received for the work you performed...

This is a terrible store, the worst shop I've ever been during my home remodel. About 2 months ago I stepped into this shop for cabinets, but there is a one piece toilet sits there and the sales representative said this is a floor model, comes with no package nor accessories, priced for $100 and no return or exchange. $100 for a one piece toilet sounds like a great deal, so I took it home. Few days ago my contractor came to install this toilet for me, he pointed out that this toilet has been installed before because there is grease residual at bottom. After we installed that, this toilet leaks everywhere. Clearly, that toilet is NOT a floor model, because floor model will never have grease at bottom. It most likely a returned product because of leak, and the owner put it back for resale instead of throw it to dumpster. They CLEARLY known this toilet is bad, but they DON' CARE.They made this $100 by lied to their customer, and they never considered how much headache they would left to others. YOU SHOULD STAY AWAY...

We are extremely disappointed with both their kitchen products and their after-sale customer service. We bought a [supposedly] stainless steel under-mount sink and counter top from HomeCo in Alhambra for our kitchen remodel. After 2 weeks we see rust spots. Previous stainless sink lasted over 60 years without this kind of disfiguration.

We went to the store and talked to William the manager (maybe owner) who basically said we got it from China you should have inspected it. We pointed out that there was no rust until it had water in it. He was unwilling or unable to do anything to help.

Our only recourse is to cut through the counter top to remove and replace it. Not just expensive but will leave obvious telltales.

We gave them 2 stars because we still like the counter top.

Be careful what you buy from these people, assume they will offer no help...