PRESS RELEASE DETAIL
For release: IMMEDIATELY
Release Date: 10/14/2016
Mayor Holden urging residents to use licensed contractors for home construction or reconstruction
For more information, contact:
Adam Smith, Department of Environmental Services: (225) 389-4865
Susan Boudreaux, Mayor’s Office: (225) 389-5101
Michelle McCalope, Mayor’s Office: (225) 389-7957
As Baton Rouge residents continue to rebuild and recover following the recent devastating flooding, Mayor-President Melvin L. “Kip” Holden is urging those who are initiating new construction or reconstruction efforts at their homes to use licensed contractors to perform this work and to secure in writing how the contractor plans to dispose of any construction or reconstruction materials. To determine whether or not a contractor is properly licensed, residents can go online to the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) website, located at www.lslbc.louisiana.gov, and click the “Contractor Search” button, where users can search for a contractor’s name or license number, filter results by type or parish of contractor, and more.
“The unfortunate reality in any disaster recovery situation is that there is often much construction, reconstruction, and rebuilding work that inevitably takes place throughout that process – much like what we are now seeing here in Baton Rouge,” said Mayor Holden. “Residents looking to hire a contractor to assist in this work should take every measure possible to ensure the contractor they may be working with is licensed by the Louisiana Licensing Board for Contractors, and that the contractor clearly communicates the full extent of the work that will be done, the material they plan to use, the equipment to be installed, and how they plan to dispose of any construction or reconstruction materials used in their work.”
While the City-Parish’s flood debris removal efforts are still underway, with approximately 85 percent of flood debris estimated to have been collected thus far, any new construction or reconstruction materials are not eligible for FEMA reimbursement and thus will not be collected by City-Parish debris removal crews. The disposal of any such materials is the responsibility of the homeowner and/or contractor. As such, LSLBC representatives recommend residents require a written contract with a licensed contractor for any related work or projects, including a clause about the disposal of construction or reconstruction waste materials as part of their contractor’s scope of work.
“Consumers should always hire a licensed contractor,” said Michael McDuff, executive director of the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. “Homeowners are highly encouraged to request a written contract with the licensed contractor that includes a detailed description of the work to be done. As far as construction waste is concerned, this should be included in the scope of work on that contract.”
McDuff also advised residents not to make a large down payment when hiring a contractor, avoid making cash payments and not to make a final payment until the work is complete.
Both Mayor Holden and McDuff urged residents to find out if a contractor is licensed or registered to do construction work in Louisiana by using the “Contractor Search” function of the LSLBC website, or by downloading the free LSLBC mobile application in the Apple iTunes or Google Play Store.
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