"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." - Benjamin Franklin
When it comes to hiring a contractor in South Carolina for home improvements --construction projects, remodeling, painting, installing doors and windows, replacing roof coverings, installing new kitchen cabinets, kitchen and bathroom upgrades -- it is your job to make sure your contractor has the right credentials. caution. Working with an unlicensed contractor can leave you with timely and costly mess!
WHEN IS A LICENSE REQUIRED? The state of SC requires a license for any improvement work in the amount of $200 or more. In addition, most cities require a Business or Privilege License to do work within the city. You should contact your city to verify that the contractor you will be hiring has a City Business License, if needed.
SPECIAL NOTE FOR YORK & LANCASTER COUNTY RESIDENTS:In the upstate, we face a tremendous number of workers coming in from North Carolina, whose licensing laws vary greatly from South Carolinas. We have found that the majority of North Carolina businesses working in the York County area -- whether or not they have a license for their own state -- do NOT have a license to work in SC.
What does an Unlicensed Contractor mean to you? Take a look :
A Realtor working for a major agency in our area referred a handyman to one of her clients to install some specialty lighting. The job required electrical work to accommodate the lighting,which was done, the "contractor" was paid and everyone was happy. Until the wiring -- which was installed incorrectly -- caused a fire, leaving the homeowner with $20,000 in damage.
How does the story end? The "contractor" was not licensed and was fined by the state. The Realtor who referred the "contractor" was fired. The homeowners insurance would not cover the damages because they did not perform due diligence in verifying that the work was being performed by a licensed contractor.
Watch for the "Con" in Construction
Con artist are conducting scams everyday in the construction industry. These cons will fool you and come in many different disguises. Some look like professionals-- they talk the talk, drive a fancy truck, act like your friend, tell you how much money they can save you, and make you promises of unrealistic low prices to close a deal.
Don't accept this common Scam: SPECIAL OFFER - TODAY ONLY !! Remember the adage, "If is sounds too good to be true it probably is!"
In our area, a lucrative scam for these companies is roofing. They tell homeowners that neighbors roof coverings were damaged by hail or wind and that the insurance companies are paying for roof replacement. Sometimes they can; but what they don't tell the homeowners is that their methods often constitute insurance fraud, and that the homeowners insurance rates almost always go up after the "claim" -- or worse, their policy is canceled.
Use Caution when Hiring from the Classifieds
The classifieds and local advertising sources are loaded with home improvement services and the one thing most ads have in common is three little words, "Licensed and Insured."
What does "licensed and insured" really mean in construction?
The contractor has earned a contractor's license and carries the required and necessary insurance. Most often we find the following scenarios -- the contractor presents a business license as their "License". While most cities do require a business license, this is not the same as a Contractors License. Or they provide a license number, but it is not in their name or the name of the business. Find out about license requirements and LICENSE LENDING here.
Hiring a handyman for home improvement projects
Homeowners may think they can save money by hiring handymen to do construction type work. Be sure you understand that a handyman is not a building contractor! You could subject yourself to problems if you allow anyone to do work that requires a contractors license or building permits.
While there is not a Handyman License in South Carolina, the Residential Builders Commission does have a Specialty Contractors License -- which can cover up to 3 of the following areas of work: Carpentry, Drywall, Floor Covering, Insulation, Masonry, Painting/Wallpaper, Roofing, Stucco, Vinyl/Aluminum Siding. You should verify that your Contractor has the right specialties to do your job. If your job will require work in all (or more than 3) of the specialties, you should consider a Builder/General Contractor.
Don't Assume you have a Building Permit
When work starts without a permit your building department will stop your job. Always make sure you see the permit posted!! Don't ever assume anything when it comes to construction.
"Your Job Is On Hold"
A stop work order/redtag will be placed on your property when you hire unlicensed contractors to do work requiring a permit. You will need a licensed contractor to fix this problem and be prepared to pay double permitting fees. If the contractor is not licensed, they will not be able to obtain a permit and your job will be shut down until a licensed contractor is hired.
What You Don't Want to Hear
"The work that was done by the unlicensed contractor was done incorrectly and will have to be removed and redone-- all of it!" Don't be left holding the bag -- hire a Licensed Contractor to perform your work.
