Any licensed contractor can perform the work. Search for a thread here on BP from about a week ago about the "certified 203K contractor".
There is no HUD/FHA requirement for a certified contractor, it is actually just an un-affiliated certification training they receive that they can present that they meet the requirements for 203K but it doesn't actually mean anything to the lender as they still have to approve of all contractors with the same standards whether they have the "certification" or not.
James Vermillion- thanks alot James. That talk we had a while, really put things into perspective.
I list the details once i finally know this deal is "sealed".
Matt Devincenzo - Thanks alot fir the advice. If i recall, the link you posted, it stated that they needed the "certificate" in order to perform the rehab. I'm reading the article over to make sure i didn't miss anything. I've gotten some decent bids from contractors that were not certified.
Yeah I would ask them. I didn't realize it was you who had asked about it before.
The link I posted for the 203k certification website said they did not need the certificate, and the HUD site didn't mention a certificate at all. The certificate just shows that the contractor has received an education on the 203k process and requirements, but it doesn't actually mean anything to the lender/underwriter. The lender/underwriter still has to approve all contractors using the HUD/FHA guidelines so any contractor can get approved as long as they meet the requirements.
The individual underwriter could have an overlay requiring it I guess, but that would be lender specific so it's best to ask them for sure.