Call Kurtis: I Gave My Contractor $7,000, Then He Vanished

ELK GROVE (CBS13) - A retired viewer from Elk Grove said the contractor he paid to remodel is home took his money and ran.
The homeowner used the contractor before and never had a problem.

What the homeowner did not realize was the person he hired was a licensed contractor when he used him before but the state had since stripped him of his license.

"This is the roof that he did." a tile roof that was done five years ago. "Work is great, I would recommend his work," said homeowner John Owens.

So much so, that Owens hired contractor Jose Aguirre again earlier this year, to change out three French doors and locks.

Owens said he never got a contract and after Aguirre cashed two checks, totaling 75-hundred dollars.

Owens said Aguirre never returned. "There was just always some excuse," said Owens.

We have learned the contractor's board revoked Aguirre's license in September of 2014 after he failed to pay fines for previous violations.

Keep in mind September of last year, was well before Aguirre took on Owen's job and his money.

"Since this person obviously had a license they know what the laws are they know their license has been revoked, "said Rick Lopes of the Contractors State License Board.

Jose Aguirre agreed to meet with us but never did.

After we got involved Owens sent us a picture of 2-grand in cash, he says Aguirre refunded.

Additionally, Aguirre signed a promissory note, to pay off the rest of the $5,585 by July 3 but that came and went.

So Owen's sued Aguirre in small claims court, we were there, but Aguirre was a no show.

"Judgment is entered on your behalf against Jose Aguirre," said Judge Brian Myers.

Judge Myers ordered Aguirre to pay the full $5,585 dollars, plus court costs.

We met up with Owens outside the courtroom to see how he felt about the decision, "I'm happy about that," said Owens.

Since the court date, Aguirre has paid $3,000 dollars cash of the judgment to Owens.

Owens now looks forward to finally replacing his French doors but this time with a licensed contractor.

"As you go through life you learn your lessons," said Owens.

We have learned the District Attorney has filed misdemeanor criminal charges against Aguirre. The case is scheduled to go before a judge this week.

The Contractors Board says to investigate a contractor before hiring them and request to see their license, and then check the license number on the contractor board's website. The law says put down 10-percent of the total job or a thousand dollars, whichever is less, and pay for the work as is completed.

Additionally, Google the company and check with the Better Business Bureau to see the company's reputation.