After the storm comes the flood of unfamiliar, but much needed, contractors.

Monday, June 19, 2000

After the storm comes the flood of unfamiliar, but much needed, contractors.

It was a lesson Austin area residents learned after the wind storm in June 1998. However, the lesson of checking licenses before employing someone to fix roofing or siding is one that, according to Craig Hoium, Austin’s planning and zoning administrator, may need to be learned again.

"We’ve had some projects that have gone on where the contractor hasn’t been licensed and done some roofing applications that aren’t even close to Minnesota standards," Hoium said. "It’s very important that people call the Building Codes Division office here at the city or the Minnesota Department of Commerce to check on the license before they hire someone."

Department of Commerce spokesman Bruce Gordon explained that by hiring an unlicensed contractor, a homeowner forfeits access to reimbursement from any official organization. He added that by calling the Department of Commerce, a homeowner can check whether there are any actions pending against a contractor for deficient work.

"You also have the comfort of knowing that the contractor is trained and properly insured," Gordon said.

All that’s necessary to get the information is the name of the licensed company; companies, not individuals, are licensed, he said. The license number is helpful, but not necessary.

Gordon also suggested asking the contractor for references to follow up on, as well as names of subcontractors worked with before who might comment on past performance, and checking with a local builders association.

"It seems like a lot of work, but time invested before hiring someone is much more palatable than having to go through all the hassles of dealing with an irreputable contractor," Gordon said.

Valerie Schewe, Austin Area Chamber of Commerce office manager, said the Chamber has had a number of inquiries about unknown contractors coming down from the Twin Cities and other areas, but no complaints so far.

"If we have the contractor’s license number, I refer them to the Better Business Bureau," Schewe said. "They usually have a little more information than the Department of Commerce."

Part two of the roofing repair lesson, according to Hoium, is to make sure the contractor takes out the necessary building permit from the city’s Building Codes Division.

"Most of the damage that occurred from the hail storm to residential roofs and siding requires a permit that costs only $10," Hoium said.

Services provided from the issuance of this type of permit include verification by city staff that the application of the building materials is in compliance to the Minnesota State Building Codes and verification that the contractor is licensed by the state.

"The contractors’ licensing law is enforced to protect the public from any deficiencies that may occur from these projects," Hoium said.