CCB reminds homeowners to check the license before hiring a contractor
A Construction Contractors Board sweep of the Oregon coast revealed contractor violations, including 11 instances of working without a license, 4 lead-based paint violations and other miscellaneous violations. The sweep was conducted April 8th through the 11th, from Brookings to Astoria. Altogether, 27 violations were discovered and 207 active job site checks were performed.
By law, nearly everyone who builds a home or alters a structure must be licensed by the Construction Contractors Board. Contractors who bid and perform work on homes built before 1978 must have a lead-based paint license.
The Construction Contractors Board offers many consumer protections to homeowners who hire licensed contractors. CCB’s dispute resolution section provides mediation services to homeowners in dispute with their licensed contractor. The CCB also requires all licensed contractors to carry a bond and insurance, to protect homeowners.
Homeowners who hire unlicensed contractors have little recourse when a home improvement goes wrong. Some homeowners choose to go to court at their own expense, but many simply give up and hire a licensed contractor to repair the damage.
Consumers can protect themselves by hiring contractors with an active CCB number. The CCB encourages homeowners to verify their contractor’s license on the CCB website at http://search.ccb.state.or.us/search/.
Anyone with questions can call the Construction Contractors Board at 503-378-4621.
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About the CCB
The CCB is the state agency licensing over 40,000 contractors. Anyone who is paid to repair, improve or build a home must be licensed. Learn more about how to have a successful project at www.oregon.gov/ccb.
Unlicensed contractor activity was high in Jackson, Josephine and Douglas counties following winter storms in February and early March. During a sweep of the area on March 11 through 15, Construction Contractors Board (CCB) field investigators checked over 170 jobsites and uncovered more than 40 violations. A substantial number of those violations were issued to individuals working without a CCB license.
It’s not unusual for unlicensed contractor activity to increase after a major event such as a storm or a flood. Most violations were found at residential job sites, where contractors were performing roof and siding repair. Investigators also found unlicensed contractors performing tree removal, an activity that requires a CCB or Landscape Contractors Board (LCB) license.
The CCB encourages all homeowners to hire licensed contractors for their home improvement and home repair projects. Licensed contractors carry insurance and a bond, to protect consumers. The CCB also offers mediation services to settle disputes between homeowners and licensed contractors.
Oregon law requires nearly everyone who remodels, repairs or builds a home to be licensed by the Construction Contractors Board. Homeowners hiring a contractor can verify their contractor’s license on the CCB website at http://search.ccb.state.or.us/search/.
When hiring a contractor to make repairs following an insurance claim, the CCB advises homeowners not to sign over the insurance check in one lump sum. Many reputable contractors charge a portion of the payment up front and the rest upon completion.
Anyone with questions can call the Construction Contractors Board at 503-378-4621.