Permits Required, Licensed Contractors Urged for Construction Projects

After a in a collapsed trench at a Beverly Hills home in May, the city discovered that the property owner did not have the necessary permits for construction to take place and that a licensed contractor had not been hired to oversee the project.

Bayron Lopez-Orozco, 23, of Los Angeles died at the scene when an 8-foot-deep trench collapsed and buried him at 1265 North Benedict Canyon Drive.

Now the city is urging homeowners to obtain the proper permits and make sure they hire qualified, licensed contractors before starting construction projects on their property.

"While a workplace death is a rare event, it illustrates what can go wrong when rules and ordinances established for the protection of homeowners and workers are not followed," according to a city press release.

To download a copy of the city's permit application for construction projects, click here.

If you are planning a construction project, here are 10 tips for hiring contractors from the Contractors State License Board:

1. Hire only state-licensed contractors.
2. Check a contractor's license number online at www.cslb.ca.gov or by calling 800-321-2752.
3. Get at least three bids.
4. Get three references from each bidder and review past work in person.
5. Make sure all project expectations are in writing and only sign the contract if you completely understand the terms.
6. Confirm the contractor's workers' compensation insurance policy for employees and ask about liability insurance to cover any property damage.
7. Never pay more than 10 percent down. 
8. Don't let payments get ahead of the work.
9. Keep a job file of all papers relating to your project, including all payments.
10. Don't make the final payment until you're satisfied with the job.

For more information, visit the Community Development Department page on the city's website here.

Be sure to follow Beverly Hills Patch on Twitter and "Like" us on Facebook.