Horn suggests $75 charge for contractors registry

Directors balk at fee-based proposal but may support free listing

By ROTA L. KNOTT Contributing Writer

Aproposal to create a paid registry of licensed contractors maintained by the Ocean Pines Association was shot down by a majority of the Board of Directors during a Feb. 18 discussion. However, most directors also supported the concept of a simple list of contractors that the Compliance, Permits, and Inspections office could hand out to property owners looking for someone to do work for them.

Director Colette Horn presented the proposal for consideration of a voluntary fee-based licensed contractor registry to the Board for discussion. As background, Horn said there has been discussion among the Compliance Permits and Inspections staff and Architectural Review Committee members regarding the problem of work being done in Ocean Pines by contractors that are thought to be unqualified.

She said those individuals present themselves as qualified for new home construction, renovation or home improvements, installation of docks and lifts, and tree services when in fact they are not.

Horn noted two primary concerns, that the CPI may be unknowingly issuing permits to non-compliant contractors who are not meeting state and county licensing requirements, and that work is being done in a way that does not meet codes.

She contended that the ARC Guidelines specify that permitted work in the community must be done by a licensed contractor per Worcester County Law. While the ARC applies this requirement in its review of applications

Ocean Pines

for permits, the application itself does not require that the licensing and insurance status of the contractor or builder or any subcontractor trades be included in the application.

While the restrictions absolve ARC of any liability for defects in work done in accordance with any plans they approve, property owners are on their own to protect themselves from unwarranted work by contractors.

To help property owners find licensed contractors, Horn proposed the institution of a fee-based contractor permit process. Under her proposal, contractors would pay an initial $75 fee for CPI to verify their licensing and credentials, and a $50 renewal fee. They would then be included on a list of vetted contractors provided to property owners. The proposed registry was to contain a disclaimer about any endorsement of the work of contractors listed, she said.

Horn said she talked with several contractors who were enthusiastic about the proposal because it would get their names in front of Ocean Pines property owners as people with the proper credentials to do work. She said it would offer residents protection against people doing unlicensed and unwarranted work. “We can provide homeowners with a list of contractors whose credentials have been verified,” she said.

The list would reside in the CPI department, where it would be updated and where the funding would go to supplement its budget.

“I think this creates an overreach by this board,” Director Stuart Lakernick said. He said he talked with three contractors who were opposed to the proposal and argued that the fee would simply be passed on by the contractors to homeowners, who are adults and can do their own research to find a suitable contractor.

“This is not a requirement; it’s voluntary,” Horn responded.

But that didn’t convince Lakernick who asked what happens if a contractor on the registry does shoddy work. He said having a fee-based registry may open up the OPA for legal recourse from property owners if that occurs.

Still, Horn said the registry would not be an endorsement of those contractors on it but simply a verification that they have the proper credentials to do work in Ocean Pines.

“It’s just a registry, not a license,” she said. Additionally, Horn said there is no requirement on the OPA’s permit application for a contractor to submit their credentials.

Director Frank Daly pointed out that property owners need to get Worcester County permits before they secure approvals from ARC and the county verifies the contractors’ licensure.

“So when they come with a county permit to Ocean Pines we know they are licensed. Therefore, there is no need for CPI to do so,” he said.

Further, Daly said if an unau- thorized contractor does work in Ocean Pines the OPA would have trouble enforcing any requirements. The only recourse is that they will not get ARC approval if plans don’t meet the guidelines.

“It’s not so much an overreach,” he said. “It’s something we can’t enforce.”

He added that he might support a simple sheet of paper listing contractors that could be handed out to property owners.

Horn responded that’s exactly what the registry would do.

Director Monica Rakowski supported the proposal, saying “It’s a service. As long we’re not legally bound by that information, it’s voluntary. I don’t have a problem with it.”

OPA President Doug Park wasn’t so enthusiastic. “I have a strong feeling about not ever introducing any risk to the association,” he said, adding that he believes the registry would be an implied endorsement

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Contractor registry

From Page 15 by the OPA of contractors on the list.

“I don’t want to see us have to be involved in people’s personal decisions on what contractor the use for the work that they want done. Period. I want to stay as far away from that as possible,” he said.

Parks said the fact that they must pull a county permit and their licensure is verified at that point is good enough for him.

“I do not want to the have the Board or OPA involved in personal business decisions for homeowners,” he said, but he added that he might be able to support a free listing that is offered to community members.

Director Steve Jacobs said he likes the idea of providing a level of consumer protection, which seems to be the goal of the proposal.

But, he agreed that this can be offered by CPI simply providing residents with information on the OPA’s Website or in flyers suggesting things like getting three estimates for any project, asking a contractor about their licensing, and consulting