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Commission discusses unlicensed contractors, complaints and public-education steps
Summary
Commission members described complaints about unlicensed or deceptive contractors and discussed outreach measures — including Facebook, flyers and public-service messages — to educate residents, particularly seniors, about hiring licensed contractors.
Commission members discussed a pattern of consumer complaints involving contractors who advertise work online or take payment and then fail to complete work, sometimes leaving unsafe electrical or plumbing installations.
A board member said complaints include individuals advertising on Craigslist or social media and instances where work was not completed to code, requiring licensed contractors to remove or replace unsafe installations. Members expressed concern about senior residents being targeted. One commissioner suggested using proceeds from testing fees (one proposal was to retain part of a small fee per NASCLA test) to fund public-education campaigns, public-service announcements or printed flyers that could be distributed at stores and through real estate agents.
Members proposed a number of outreach steps: create or use an existing Facebook page for the building commission to post guidance about how to verify a licensed electrician or contractor; coordinate with real estate agents to educate buyers and sellers about limits on what a single residential contractor may legally perform; distribute flyers at retail locations; and work with local media or public-service outlets to run informational segments.
No formal motion was recorded in the transcript for an outreach program; the discussion ended with agreement to pursue public-education ideas and to explore using test-fee revenue for outreach if feasible.
