Final month in Carbondale, Illinois, seven roofing contractors have been led away in handcuffs after police responded to a sequence of citizen complaints. When the authorities stepped in, they have been particularly investigating whether or not these contractors have been complying with state licensure mandates. People who weren’t have been summarily arrested and charged with a Class A misdemeanor for performing roofing repairs whereas being improperly licensed.
In line with Heartland Information, which broke the story, officers stated, “…the test was made to verify high quality providers are given for the residents of Carbondale by licensed [roofing] contractors.” The article went on to level out, “All individuals and corporations doing roofing work within the metropolis of Carbondale should be registered as a roofing contractor with the town’s Constructing and Neighborhood Companies Division, which maintains an inventory of licensed roofers and electricians which are registered with the town. Roofing repairs must be made by certified roofing contractors who’re licensed by the State of Illinois.”
Licensing necessities for contractors differ from state to state and even from metropolis to metropolis inside a state, however wanting into correct licensure is one vital approach householders can defend themselves from roofing scams.
In recent times, residents in Ohio have bombarded the Higher Enterprise Bureau with an estimated 52,000 questions concerning roofing contractors, making such inquiries the primary matter for the BBB. There, common contractors of all kinds, together with roof contractor, will not be topic to any State of Ohio licensing necessities. That doesn’t imply, nevertheless, that anybody can grasp up a roofing contractor shingle and carry out roof repairs and replacements. Numerous cities and counties throughout the state require a neighborhood license. Such licensures are primarily based on the locale the place the work is to be carried out, not on the contractor’s location. Due to this fact, Ohio residents ought to test with their native county workplaces about what certifications their chosen contractor should maintain.
Within the state of Florida, roofer licensing measures are a bit extra stringent. With a purpose to receive a license, a Floridian roofing contractor should sit for and cross two exams overlaying the enterprise and finance of the career and the general commerce. They have to additionally show 4 years of documented expertise earlier than being granted a license. As well as, they need to cross a credit score test and monetary assertion evaluation proving they’ve a internet value of not less than $5,000. Lastly, licensed contractors in Florida should carry common legal responsibility insurance coverage protection of not less than $100,000 for bodily harm and $25,000 for property injury.
In states the place such insurance coverage will not be a part of the licensing process, householders ought to nonetheless demand that their contractor carry related protection.
What actions does a contractor license grant the holder to carry out? Contractor-Licensing.com defines a licensed roofing contractor as “a contractor whose providers are limitless within the roofing commerce. Roofing contractors have the expertise, data, and talent to put in, preserve, restore, alter, prolong, or design and use supplies and objects used within the set up, upkeep, extension, and alteration of all types of roofing, waterproofing, and coating, besides when coating will not be represented to guard, restore, waterproof, cease leaks, or prolong the lifetime of the roof.”