Contractor Blames State For Lack Of Business

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- A local contractor says he hasn't worked in six months. He's already lost his house, and blames budget cuts for killing his business.

"I'm trying to cope with it, but it's impossible," said Roberto Acevedo, owner of True Nature Landscape.

Roberto Acevedo has been a successful landscaping contractor for 12 years, until now.

"If you don't work you can't pay your bills," said Roberto.

Roberto hasn't worked in six months. Since then, he lost his home and is barely able to put food on the table.

"And that's a fact," said Roberto.

State officials say Roberto could be one of countless legal contractors across the state victimized by illegal contractors who prey on homeowners looking for a good deal.

"We try to do everything by the book. We follow the rules," said Roberto.

Roberto says his company is fully insured and bonded, but with a down economy some homeowners are pinching pennies by paying illegal contractors under the table for less. These suspects usually don't have licenses and aren't insured or bonded either.

"We really feel for these licensees who are playing by the rules," said Contractors State License Board representative Rick Lopes.

The Contractors State License Board is supposed to hunt down and prosecute illegal contractors, but because of state budget cuts, investigations have dropped significantly. Out of roughly 430 positions, 60 are not being filled.

"There are lots of ways people are cheating just to compete and that makes it really difficult," said Lopes. It's also really profitable.

State officials estimate the underground illegal contracting business generates $60-140 billion annually.

Roberto says his license expires in a few months, and he's not sure if it's worth renewing again.