Secretary of State Kemp Reminds Georgians about Contractor
Licensing Law, Warns Consumers
about Potential Contractor Scams
Following Recent Severe Weather
Atlanta – Georgia Secretary of
State Brian Kemp today reminded
consumers affected by recent
severe weather across the state
that certain types of
residential and general
contractors as well as
electrical, plumbing and HVAC
contractors require state
licensure and warned home and
business owners to be wary of
potential scams.
Typical severe weather damage
that requires a contractor to
hold a state-issued license
includes major structural
repair, electrical, plumbing and
HVAC. Consumers can verify that
a contractor is properly
licensed or file a complaint
against a licensed contractor
online at:
https://secure.sos.state.ga.us/myverification/SubmitComplaint.aspx.
Additionally, state law exempts
some types of construction work
from licensure. Typical severe
weather damage that does not
require a licensed contractor
includes roofing, painting,
sheetrock, siding, mold
remediation, flooring,
foundation waterproofing and
septic tank repair. Septic tank
repair must be conducted by a
person certified by the Georgia
Department of Community Health.
Consumers should know that is
illegal for a homeowner to
obtain a building permit and use
an unlicensed contractor to
manage construction services.
The person or business who
obtains the permit could also
assume the majority of liability
for the project, leaving the
consumer with little to no legal
recourse.
When hiring someone to conduct
construction work, watch out for
these red flags that you may be
dealing with a dishonest
individual:
-
A person
going door-to-door selling
their services.
-
A person who
offers services for a short
time only, which makes
consumers feel rushed and
unable to research the
contractor.
-
Pressure to
pay for more than half of
the cost up front.
-
Refusal or
reluctance to set out
complete and specific
contract terms in writing.
-
Lack of
permanent and verifiable
name, address and phone
number of the business.
For additional consumer tips,
please visit the Secretary of
State’s Professional Licensing
Boards website at: http://www.sos.ga.gov/plb/contractors/.
Brian Kemp has been Secretary of
State since January, 2010. Among
the office’s wide-ranging
responsibilities, the Secretary
of State is charged with
conducting efficient and secure
elections, the registration of
corporations, and the regulation
of securities and professional
license holders. The office also
oversees the Georgia Archives.
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