WILTON — Viewers in Wilton say that a tree trimmer preyed on them during the recent winter storms. It was time to Call Kurtis to investigate.
After a bit of digging, CBS13 discovered that the company was operating without a contractor’s license. In a FEMA disaster zone, that could be a felony.
Wild January weather flooded Megan Weatherford’s family’s home and took out two trees that fell right into their goat barn.
“We were unfortunate victims of the natural disaster here in Wilton,” Megan told CBS13.
With two more trees leaning, they hired DLB Tree Service, a company they found on a local Facebook group.
She says the company asked for $2,000 upfront, which they paid. The tree trimmer and his employees then cut down the leaning trees but never returned to remove the wood or clean up the trees that fell into the barn.
“In hindsight, we trusted this person because we thought he was local,” Megan said. “And we kind of took him at his word.”
Another neighbor spoke with CBS13 and said after paying the same company $2,200 in February to remove storm-damaged trees, that job still isn’t done. Both families say they had handshake deals, never got an estimate or any paperwork.
The Contractor’s Board said that’s a prime example of why you don’t do handshake deals, and why you should check a license through their website — and have everything spelled out in writing, first.
Because if either family had looked up DLB Tree Service, they would have found that the company was not licensed.
“The CSLB has no records for DLB Tree Servies,” a spokesperson said. “CBS13 helped bring them to our attention.”
The spokesperson told the station that the state is now investigating.
The law says you must have a contractor’s license for any job above $500, and you should only pay 10% or $1,000 upfront, whichever is less.
There’s also one more law that protects people after big storms: those contracting without a license in a declared disaster area can be charged with a felony, according to the CSLB spokesperson.
We reached out to DLB Tree Services, the owner responded, “I don’t owe anyone anything.”
State investigators will decide that, and so will a judge. The Weatherfords say they plan to take the company to court and called Kurtis to help warn you.
“We reached out to Call Kurtis to get some help for our community,” Megan said.
If the business was licensed, the homeowners would have had more power to go after required bond money for the work not finished. But if you know this company is still doing work, the CSLB wants to hear from you:
“If DLB Tree Service (or another unlicensed contractor) is at your home, you can call SWIFT at (916) 255-2924. These active leads help CSLB catch unlicensed contractors.”
More from CBS News
Kurtis Ming
www.cbsnews.com
https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/call-kurtis-investigation-unlicensed-tree-trimmer-in-wilton-disaster-area/
