CCB interview with KATU
Reminding the public to verify contractor licenses
With spring approaching, we reminded Oregon consumers about the hazards of using unlicensed contractors. You can view the interview here.
When contractors receive a
pre-complaint notice from a consumer, material supplier or subcontractor, the smart ones move quickly to attempt to resolve the dispute. A pre-complaint notice means the unhappy party intends to file a complaint with the CCB in 30 days.
However, the complaint does not show on your license record until it is actually filed. This notice creates a window of OPPORTUNITY. Why is that important?
- Once a complaint is filed, it is part of your public record and cannot be removed, even when resolved.
- If you receive five complaints in any one year period, the CCB can require you to provide a bigger bond of up to five times the standard bond for three years.
- These larger bonds are difficult to obtain and much more expensive than standard bond amounts but reflect the bigger risk you pose to the public.
In the words of Enforcement Manager Stan Jessup, "It is always in your best interest to resolve disputes before a claim is filed and the
best way to do this is through direct communication with your customers."
Anyone ARRANGING for
construction work in Oregon must have a CCB license. This is because a consumer must have a direct contractual relationship with the
contractor before CCB can accept a complaint and attempt to mediate a resolution.
For example, some companies take a deposit, then arrange
for a licensed contractor to perform the work. We see this
sort of practice with metal carports, flooring, locksmiths, etc.
Let's say a consumer contracts with ABC Metal Buildings to purchase a carport and have it
installed. ABC has someone else
actually provide the materials and install the carport.
The consumer is unhappy with the work. The consumer's contract is with ABC. If ABC is unlicensed, the CCB cannot accept the claim or complaint
for the defective work even though the actual work may have been performed by a
licensed contractor.
Asbestos is a common term for a group of
naturally occurring minerals used in thousands of building products in the
U.S., most extensively in the 1940s through 1970s. Asbestos was used because of
its various qualities such as durability, flexibility, and resistance to heat
or electricity.
Asbestos is known to cause lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos. To protect the health and safety of the public, Metro is taking steps to prevent the delivery of asbestos-containing materials to its transfer stations in Northwest Portland and Oregon City.
- Beginning in early 2016, Metro required certain types of construction materials to be tested for asbestos before those materials could come to a Metro transfer station.
- Starting April 1, additional types of construction materials will need to be screened for asbestos before they can come to a Metro transfer station.
- Any materials that contain asbestos cannot be taken to a Metro transfer station and will need to be taken to a DEQ-certified disposal site.
Learn more about Metro’s asbestos testing requirements at oregonmetro.gov/asbestosrules or by calling Metro’s Recycling Information Center at 503-234-3000.
New retirement savings option
State looking for volunteer employers
Is your business interested in offering a retirement savings
option to its employees but lacks the resources?
The Oregon State Treasury is starting a new program called OregonSaves to
create an easier, less-costly way for employers to help their employees save and take responsibility for their own financial future.
Research shows that
employees are more productive when they have less finance-related stress. They
are also 15 times more likely to save for retirement if an option is available
at work. Oregon State Treasury is looking for employers to join a
pilot program of OregonSaves this summer. Pilot employers will get:
- Early access to the program
- Hands-on assistance getting started
- The satisfaction of helping to ensure that the program works well for everyone.
Offering an easy
retirement savings option will also help you retain and attract good employees.
About OregonSaves
Key features:
- Workers automatically save part of their paycheck in their own professionally managed accounts.
- Employers will not have any financial obligations nor make matching contributions.
- The employer role is limited, mostly to passing along information about the plan and making payroll deductions for participating employees.
To join the pilot or just learn more
CCB now licenses restoration companies
As of Jan. 1, 2017, businesses performing residential
or small commercial restoration work must be licensed by the Construction
Contractors Board (CCB).
Restoration work is defined as non-routine cleaning, water
removal, personal property inventory, or other services undertaken because of
damage to the structure, or to the contents of the structure that was caused by
a man-made or natural disaster. It also
includes board-up services and debris removal that does not require demolition
work on the structure.
Who needs the license?
If a contractor already holds a residential contractor
license, they may perform these services without additional licensing. However, if the business does not currently
hold a CCB license, and these are the only services they provide, they must
obtain a Residential Restoration Contractor (RRC) license from CCB.
About the license
The RRC license does not require any pre-license training or
testing, or any continuing education at renewal.
To obtain this license, submit a
residential license application, along with a $10,000 surety bond and a
$100,000 per occurrence liability insurance certificate. In addition, if the contractor uses a
business name, it must be actively registered with the Oregon Corporation
Division.
Questions?
Please contact the Customer Service Unit at 503-378-4621, or
ccb.info@state.or.us.
Share your experience!
The CCB is developing a continuing education class to inform contractors about the benefits of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs). We’re seeking contractors who have worked with SBDCs in the past, or who are thinking about working with an SBDC very soon.
If you would like to share your experience, contact Leslie Culpepper at 503-934-2228 or at leslie.culpepper@state.or.us.
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