A Radio Show Trying to Build an Audience

Southern California construction-philes can now get their dose of building chat by listening to a new radio show on KIEV-AM, at 870 on the dial. The show, “Construction Affairs,” was launched in August by the California State License Board of Contractors and its underwriter, Huntington Beach-based construction and engineering firm PCS Associates.

The state wanted to use the half-hour radio program, which airs Thursdays at 11:30 a.m., to encourage contractors to register with the state and to inform consumers about their rights when hiring a contractor. An estimated two-thirds of all contractors aren’t licensed. The agency provides speakers for each program, said Lea Margollis, one of its producers.

Recent programs discussed construction scams targeting the elderly, hiring a contractor and how to deal with construction defects. Next week’s discussion will focus on an Orange County program that teaches kids about how home building and construction works.

“We’d like to increase it to an hour show, so we can get even more features on,” Margollis said. But that could be hard to do. The show has only lined up one sponsor.

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Melinda Fulmer covers real estate for The Times. She can be reached at (714) 966-7832 and at melinda.fulmer@latimes.com