Here is some general information courtesy of the Better Business Bureau of Wisconisn, aimed at informing statewide Building Contractors of new regulations and requirements effective July 1, 2009.  This wiil affect contractors in site prep, plumbing, and others.  There may be new regulations within other states, and we we post them as we find them for our members. 

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Effective July 1, state has new requirements for building contractors

Beginning July 1, 2009, building contractor businesses in Wisconsin need to be registered with the state Department of Commerce.

Businesses that currently hold one of nine business credentials issued by the Safety and Buildings Division of the Department of Commerce, such as dwelling contractor certifications, elevator, or HVAC contractor registrations, DO NOT need the new registration.

A four-year, $25 per year, building contractor registration will be required beginning July 1 for businesses whose work is regulated under any of the Commerce codes affecting commercial buildings, places of employment, one- and two-family dwellings, and public swimming pools. Registrations can be done via the Internet. Those done by mail or in person will have a $15 processing fee. There are no exams or education prerequisites for the registration.

The department decided to adopt the registration as an emergency rule in order to put the process in place for the 2009 construction season. There was a hearing in January on a code change proposal that is the basis of the emergency rule, which is effective March 2, 2009.

A contracting business will need the registration to do most types of building construction work, to obtain building permits, to provide bids or contracts, or to work as a subcontractor.

Individual employees of contractors will not need this registration, nor will someone who is working on property they or their employer owns or leases. Individual licenses, certifications, etc., may be needed under other state codes or municipal ordinances.

In part, the registration was adopted to help consumers and local and state agencies better identify businesses that work in construction. Enforcement of the registration system will be done by those in the construction industry as consumers, contractors, local and state agencies, and suppliers find out who does and does not have the registration.

Registration allows contractors to get more information on codes and about safety and health practices. Contractor voices should be heard in discussions about construction regulations. More information will help contractors know their responsibilities in terms of taxes, worker's compensation insurance, and unemployment insurance. Some contractors are not following those regulations, which leads to unfair competition.

The Safety and Buildings Division has a Building Contractor Program Web page that provides more information and via which contractors can now register: http://commerce.wi.gov/SB/SB-BuildingContractorProgram.html. There is a list on that site which identifies most of the business types that will need to register.

Examples of businesses that will need to register include:

• Building site preparation/stabilization
• Masonry and stone work
• Drywall and plastering
• Plumbing
• Electric Wiring
• Poured concrete foundations and structures
• Finish carpentry
• Precast concrete
• Fire protection
• Public Swimming Pools and Water Attractions
• Flooring
• Roofing
• Framing carpentry
• Siding
• General building construction
• Structural steel
• Glass and glazing
• Tile and terrazzo
• Insulation
• Wall coverings