Did the new license entitle Authentic to its home improvement fee?

Authentic Home Improvements (Authentic) performed work on Diane Mayo’s home, but she sued for return of the money she had paid. In court, Authentic’s owner acknowledged that he had no contractor’s license when it began the work, but he expected to obtain it soon. The court ordered Authentic to refund Mayo the entire sum she had paid, and the company agreed. Later, however, Authentic returned to court, stating that things had changed. The license had in fact been issued soon after work began. Authentic argued that it should not be obligated to return Mayo’s money and was in fact entitled to its full fee for the work accomplished.