My California contractor was never licensed. Can I get my money back?
Researched by the LokalMatch editorial team1 answer
The work is finished and mostly fine, and I have just discovered the license number on his invoice belongs to somebody else.
Answers (1)
LokalMatch EditorialLokalMatch editorial
California lets you sue for every dollar you paid him. Section 7031 of the Business and Professions Code says a person who uses the services of an unlicensed contractor may bring an action to recover all compensation paid to that contractor for performing the work.
Read that again, because it is unusually blunt for a consumer remedy. Not the difference between what you got and what you paid for. All of it.
The same section shuts the door from the other side. An unlicensed contractor cannot bring or maintain an action to collect compensation without alleging that they were duly licensed at all times during performance — so if he is chasing you for a final payment, he has a problem before you do.
This is a lawsuit, not a complaint form, and the amounts involved usually mean a lawyer or small claims court. Get the evidence in order first: the invoice with the license number on it, the CSLB license record showing who actually holds that number, your contract, and proof of every payment.
Answers come from pros and are reviewed by LokalMatch before they’re published. They’re general information — for regulated or safety-critical work, have a licensed professional assess your situation.
Sources
Where the facts on this page come from.
Business and Professions Code section 7031 — California Legislative Information (accessed September 24, 2026)
What Kind of Contractor Do You Need? — Contractors State License Board (accessed September 24, 2026)