An owner-builder is what the term indicates: the person owns the property and acts as the general contractor on the job, and
either does the work or has employees (or licensed subcontractors) work on the project.
Some homeowners believe they can save money by not hiring a licensed general contractor to oversee property improvements.
Or, they try to save money by hiring unlicensed individuals and lying on the permit application by saying they, as homeowners,
will do the work.
Unfortunately, most homeowners don’t know they can face very serious legal and financial problems if they choose to be an
owner-builder and don’t follow the law.
– California State Contractors Board
