Homeowners Urged to Use Licensed Contractors for Repairs Caused by Recent Storms
Scott R. Jensen, Interim Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) urges homeowners to use caution when hiring a contractor to repair damage from the recent storms. Because the storms caused severe damage, homeowners need prompt repair; however, to protect themselves and their homes, owners to be careful before hiring contractors.
“Homeowners should remember that Maryland laws protect consumers by requiring contractors to hold a current license in order to perform home improvement, electrical, plumbing, or HVACR (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration) work. Often the first available or the cheapest contractor is the wrong choice,” said Interim Secretary Jensen.
Only homeowners who hire licensed home improvement contractors are protected by the State’s Home Improvement Guaranty Fund. This fund is administered by DLLR’s Home Improvement Commission to compensate homeowners who suffer economic damages at the hands of a licensed home improvement contractor. No coverage is provided to the homeowner if the contractor is not properly licensed.
It is unlawful for any home improvement contractor, electrician, plumber, or HVACR contractor to work in Maryland without a license. Penalties include fines or imprisonment. Consumers may contact DLLR’s Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing at 410-230-6309 or visit the website to check on the licensing status and complaint history of any contractor.
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I see this blog is quite old but ill comment anyway
Thing is in the UK, you generally get what you pay for, people are always searching for a cheap electrician, usually with “cheap” comes all sorts of problems, i can bet that most of the “cheapest” electricians are not even electricians! let alone registered with any governing bodies.
The sooner people see this, the better but in the meantime, qualified electricians like myself are struggling because we are not “cheap” and cannot compete with these billy bodgits!
It seems good to me that you have a strict licensing system in Maryland. However, I guess the drawback must be at times of greatest need, like now, there must be a shortage of available contractors. With this point in mind it must be really difficult to meet demand, and I wonder whether the State steps in here to help – are licensed contractors from neighbouring States allowed to ‘help out’ in this situation, for example?