Alatriste v. Cesar's Exterior Designs, Inc.

Opinion

HALLER, J.

Esaul Alatriste paid Cesar’s Exterior Designs, Inc. (Cesar’s Designs), $57,500 for landscaping work at his home. Alatriste then sued Cesar’s Designs seeking reimbursement of the $57,500 under the statute allowing a party to recover “all compensation paid to [an] unlicensed contractor.” (Bus. & Prof. Code, § 7031, subd. (b).) Alatriste successfully moved for summary adjudication on this claim. After Alatriste dismissed his remaining claims, the court entered judgment in Alatriste’s favor for $57,500 plus interest and costs.

Cesar’s Designs concedes it was unlicensed when it…