Feb 13
As a result of the events surrounding Hurricane Katrina, a major effort is underway with the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to raise homes above projected possible flood levels.
The question often arises, which contractors can legally raise, level, and shore homes?
The only contractors that can legally raise, level, and shore a home, where the cost of such jobs is $7,500 or more, are holders of state commercial licenses with the following classifications:
• Building Construction, and/or
• Rigging, House Moving, Wrecking and Dismantling, and/or
• Raising and Leveling of Residences and Buildings, and/or
• Foundations and Pile Driving, and/or
• Sidewalks, Retaining Walls, Patios, and Foundations, and/or
• Foundations for Buildings and Tanks, and/or
• Foundations for Buildings, Equipment or Machinery, and/or
• Foundations, Caissons, and Slurry Walls
Residential Building Contractors may bid on such jobs, but must hire a subcontractor holding one of the classifications above to do the work.
Home Improvement Registrants are excluded from either bidding or working on such lifting and elevation jobs except for renovations below $75,000 for work done after the raising, leveling, and shoring work has been completed on the home.
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program has added insurance and bonding requirements for any contractor eligible for raising and elevating homes, including a general liability riggers insurance endorsement.
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Properly licensed and qualified contractors…It’s the Law!
For any questions or further information, please visit our website at www.lslbc.louisiana.gov or contact us by phone at 225-765-2301 Ext. 213 or send an email to newsletter@lslbc.louisiana.gov
Contractors News Source Bulletin
July 15, 2011 BULLETIN: 11-07
What’s in a Name?
Actually, a name can make all the difference. Contractors are licensed in the State of Louisiana in either their personal name or the name of a company. Before the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) can issue a license to a company, the company must be registered with the Secretary of State as a legal entity. Once the license is issued, it can only be used legally by the name as it appears on the actual certificate. Contractors are required by LS LBC Rules and Regulations, Section 109, to conduct business in their properly licensed name. This means that bids must be submitted in the name as it appears on the license. Likewise, contracts must also contain the properly licensed name. To do otherwise is a violation which subjects the contractor to a fine, suspension or revocation of license. An awarding authority should reject any bid that is not i n the properly licensed name of the contractor even though the contra actor may have a proper license with another name on it.
If you are licensed in your personal name, you may submit bids using a DBA (“doing business as”) as long as the properly licensed name is used. For example, if I am licensed as Bob Smith, I must bid as Bob Smith, but may legally add Bob Smith DBA Smith Construction. However, to submit a bid as Smith Construction would be a violation. In this scenario, the contractor risks losing the job and being fined by the Board.
Doing business in your properly licensed name means just that, your bids, contracts, invoices and even your signage should all reflect the name as it appears on your license.
““Properly licensed and qualified contractors……It’s the Law!”
For any questions or further information, please visit our website at www.lslbc.louisiana.gov or contact us by phone a at 225-765-22301 Ext. 2213 or send an email to newslettter@lslbc.louisiana.gov