Comments on: A Contractor’s Failure to Properly Register was a Crime Under New Jersey Law http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2007/12/17/a-contractors-failure-to-properly-register-was-a-crime-under-new-jersey-law/ Learn, Network, Invest Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:59:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Preston Guytonhttp://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2007/12/17/a-contractors-failure-to-properly-register-was-a-crime-under-new-jersey-law/#comment-81588 Preston Guyton Sun, 02 May 2010 15:37:23 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2007/12/17/a-contractors-failure-to-properly-register-was-a-crime-under-new-jersey-law/#comment-81588 This is interesting to know...I like this line and want to enforce that all relevant people should follow this law: "Home-improvement contractors must be registered with the Division of Consumer Affairs or face the possibility of criminal penalties." This is interesting to know…I like this line and want to enforce that all relevant people should follow this law: “Home-improvement contractors must be registered with the Division of Consumer Affairs or face the possibility of criminal penalties.”

]]> By: Defender of Justicehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2007/12/17/a-contractors-failure-to-properly-register-was-a-crime-under-new-jersey-law/#comment-59666 Defender of Justice Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:34:26 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2007/12/17/a-contractors-failure-to-properly-register-was-a-crime-under-new-jersey-law/#comment-59666 The guys a bum. He should have been thrown in jail. I'm sure he's done it before and I'm sure he'll do it again. The guys a bum. He should have been thrown in jail. I’m sure he’s done it before and I’m sure he’ll do it again.

]]> By: Rick Marnon, Howellhttp://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2007/12/17/a-contractors-failure-to-properly-register-was-a-crime-under-new-jersey-law/#comment-53017 Rick Marnon, Howell Tue, 18 Dec 2007 12:12:20 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2007/12/17/a-contractors-failure-to-properly-register-was-a-crime-under-new-jersey-law/#comment-53017 I can understand why this was put into place. Now as to how harsh it is I could understand the contractor being sued for the monies, which ensures people that if they make a deposit they can get that much back if the contractor is not registered. I can understand why this was put into place. Now as to how harsh it is I could understand the contractor being sued for the monies, which ensures people that if they make a deposit they can get that much back if the contractor is not registered.

]]> By: Las Vegas Real Estate Guyhttp://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2007/12/17/a-contractors-failure-to-properly-register-was-a-crime-under-new-jersey-law/#comment-53016 Las Vegas Real Estate Guy Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:39:26 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2007/12/17/a-contractors-failure-to-properly-register-was-a-crime-under-new-jersey-law/#comment-53016 Reminds me of a story I saw on Channel 3 last year. This guy would go around, bid for jobs and of course, take a deposit. He would then inflate the bill a little as he started working, ask for more money...then he wouldn't show up to finish the work. Apparently he had did over and over again (as the reporter found out). Seems like some oversight is a good thing. Reminds me of a story I saw on Channel 3 last year. This guy would go around, bid for jobs and of course, take a deposit. He would then inflate the bill a little as he started working, ask for more money…then he wouldn’t show up to finish the work. Apparently he had did over and over again (as the reporter found out). Seems like some oversight is a good thing.

]]> By: Beachbumhttp://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2007/12/17/a-contractors-failure-to-properly-register-was-a-crime-under-new-jersey-law/#comment-53013 Beachbum Tue, 18 Dec 2007 04:06:35 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2007/12/17/a-contractors-failure-to-properly-register-was-a-crime-under-new-jersey-law/#comment-53013 This type of legislation can work both ways. Here in Hawaii, any work costing over $1000 must be performed by a licensed contractor. It is not at all unusual for it to take as long as two months just to get a PROPOSAL for a job. Trying to get multiple bids is virtually impossible. Meanwhile, the tenants are screaming for that new roof, or exterior paint job, or bathtub replacement.There ARE unlicensed people that, quite frankly, do better quality work than many of the licensed ones. The problem for me is that as a Licensed Property Manager, MY license, and my Broker's, is on the line for "aiding and abetting" an unlicensed contractor! My clients want work done as inexpensively as possible, so THEY end up hiring vendors directly, and don't feel that I am doing my job!Realistically, I don't feel licensing alone provides adequate protection for the average consumer. Tougher CASH penalties, and a requirement for bonding would accomplish more, IMHO. This type of legislation can work both ways. Here in Hawaii, any work costing over $1000 must be performed by a licensed contractor. It is not at all unusual for it to take as long as two months just to get a PROPOSAL for a job. Trying to get multiple bids is virtually impossible. Meanwhile, the tenants are screaming for that new roof, or exterior paint job, or bathtub replacement.

There ARE unlicensed people that, quite frankly, do better quality work than many of the licensed ones. The problem for me is that as a Licensed Property Manager, MY license, and my Broker’s, is on the line for “aiding and abetting” an unlicensed contractor! My clients want work done as inexpensively as possible, so THEY end up hiring vendors directly, and don’t feel that I am doing my job!

Realistically, I don’t feel licensing alone provides adequate protection for the average consumer. Tougher CASH penalties, and a requirement for bonding would accomplish more, IMHO.

]]> By: Steven Boorsteinhttp://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2007/12/17/a-contractors-failure-to-properly-register-was-a-crime-under-new-jersey-law/#comment-53005 Steven Boorstein Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:56:26 +0000 http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2007/12/17/a-contractors-failure-to-properly-register-was-a-crime-under-new-jersey-law/#comment-53005 I think this is a good consumer protection law in NJ. I would imagine that it would have the effect of not only holding contractors more accountable, but weeding out the shoddy ones.However, I have seen some potential abuses by municipalities. For example, as I understand it, the requirement is that contractors must register with the state. However, I have seen some municipalities along the Jersey shore, for example, require that contractors also register with the municipality. Is this really necessary, or just another way for the municipality to extract fees and increase their town's revenues?Good article. Landlords need to know this law to screen the contractors they hire!Steven Boorstein Landlord Business Insider I think this is a good consumer protection law in NJ. I would imagine that it would have the effect of not only holding contractors more accountable, but weeding out the shoddy ones.

However, I have seen some potential abuses by municipalities. For example, as I understand it, the requirement is that contractors must register with the state. However, I have seen some municipalities along the Jersey shore, for example, require that contractors also register with the municipality. Is this really necessary, or just another way for the municipality to extract fees and increase their town’s revenues?

Good article. Landlords need to know this law to screen the contractors they hire!

Steven Boorstein
Landlord Business Insider

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