An additional angle to consider: I have personally met several "Cuss-tomers" who deliberately seek out unlicensed contractors (Do you do 'side' work?) with the deliberate intent to stiff the guy later.
These cretins know that no court will help enforce a contract if the contractor is not licensed. So they give some money up front for parts, than fail to pay for the work itself.
I have, over the years, seen numerous articles cautioning homeowners to be wary of unscrupulous, or incompetent, contractors. Remember that these same shady types are seen by others as "customers," and are just as shady then.
