Protecting against shoddy work by contractors requires diligence
Published 12:00 am Friday, September 30, 2011
Just yesterday, I read an article about an 86-year-old woman and others who were taken advantage of by someone described as an unscrupulous contractor.
Over the years, I have heard many similar stories. Also, I have testified in court on numerous occasions about the quality of work performed by contractors. In every one of those cases, a homeowner contracted with an unlicensed contractor and that contractor failed to obtain a permit for the work.
Most of the cases that went to court were situations where a home owner contracted to have a new roof put on their house and it turned out badly.
Whether you are contracting with someone to put on a new roof, fix some plumbing or remodel your house, there are some basic things you should be aware of and some basic things you should do to protect yourself.
The first thing you should know is that anyone doing plumbing, electrical or heating and air work must be licensed.
You can check on their credentials with the several licensing boards listed in box.
If someone approaches you for work and it involves plumbing, electrical or heating and air, do not hire them unless they check out with the appropriate licensing board.
It is only my opinion, but do not hire anyone who approaches you or leaves a flier on your door. People who need work that badly need work for a reason.
If you need work done, talk with friends or other tradespeople you have used in the past for a referral.
Do not give anyone a deposit or advance them any money. Insist that they obtain the appropriate permit and give you the permit number.
Check with the Rowan County Building Code Enforcement Department before writing a check to make sure that the work performed passed inspection.
Also, have the contractor write a contract or work order spelling out what work will be performed and what the payment will be. Don’t accept this scribbled on a piece of paper, but only on company letterhead or another document that bears the name of the company and license number.
What about jobs that don’t need permits or tradespeople who don’t need a license? For example, a re-roofing job that is valued at less than $5,000 on a residence does not require a permit and the roofer is not required to have a license.
I would still insist that they obtain a building permit and that they have inspections.
I would also insist on a written contract and don’t pay for the work until you verify that all of the inspections have passed.
These are just a few simple things that you can do to protect yourself and your hard earned savings.
When people ask me about contractors I always recommend that they talk with previous clients and that they ask these two questions.
Did they do what they said they would do? Did they come back and fix any problems or concerns?
No job will go without a hitch, so I want to know if the contractor was approachable after being paid.
Dana H. Hart is the director of Rowan County Building Code Enforcement.
Contacts
• North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors
www.nclbgc.org
919-571-4183
• N.C. State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors
www.ncbeec.org
919-733-9042
• N.C. State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors
www.nclicensing.org
919-875-3612