Cactus Village Community

Hiring Someone to Do Repairs

Jul 07, 2003

Each spring seems to bring increased reports of disreputable individuals performing substandard home repair services i.e. roofing, painting, siding, etc. In Arizona, all contractors who perform residential or commercial construction, remodeling or repair must be licensed. One exception, however, applies to work performed where the labor and materials total less that $750, there is no building permit required and the work is not a part of a larger project.

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors recommends you be cautious about contractors or individuals:

1. Soliciting work door-to-door.
2. Offering ?“special deals?” for jobs using ?“leftover?” materials.
3. Telephone solicitations.

The advantages of choosing a licensed contractor?
* Licensed contractors are required to be bonded.
* Licensed contractors are responsible for injuries to their employees. If you use an unlicensed contractor, you may be held responsible.

Complaints may be filed against a licensed contractor for up to two years from the date of occupancy or discovery of defect, whichever comes first, or from the date the work was last performed. The Registrar of Contractors can revoke or discipline licensed contractors if they fail to perform corrective work.

Customers of residential licensed contractors may have access to the Residential Contractors Recovery Fund and may be eligible for recovery of up to $20,000 for poor work performed by a residential contractor who refuses or is unable to correct the work.
Before you hire a contractor (or allow someone inside your home), obtain the following:

The owner?’s name (s).
The correct spelling of the company name (s).
Their five or six-digit contractor?’s license number (s) or the information from the contractor?’s license certificate (s) or contractor?’s license identification card (s).

Call the Registrar?’s office at 602-542-1525 or visit their website at rc.state.az.us to verify that they have a current license and are properly licensed to perform the work specified. The automated information system is available 24/7.