Attention Home Builders and Remodelers:
Are You a Grandfather?
(Madison, WI) - The Wisconsin Builders Association® (WBA) is advising all home builders and remodelers to be aware of new rules affecting builders’ eligibility to acquire building permits after January 1, 2008. The new rules were enacted as part of state contractor education legislation in April 2006.
"Beginning January 1, 2008, no person or business may obtain a building permit for a one or two-family dwelling unless that person or business holds a dwelling contractor certification AND holds or employs someone who holds a dwelling contractor qualifier credential," said Bill Wendle, WBA Executive Vice President. "The newly created dwelling contractor qualifier credential will be the credential that shows proof of continuing education."
The Contractor education law, in essence, created two tiers of contractors: those who held their Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility certification on April 11, 2006, and those who did not. Those who did hold their credential on April 11, 2006 (the effective date of the law) will be ’grandfathered’ builders. Those who did not hold the credential on that date will be looked at as ’new’ builders.
"The rule states that the ’new’ builders will have to take a 12 hour class with an exam, in order to pull a building permit beginning in 2008," said Wendle. "After having taken the original 12 hour class, they will be required to take 12 hours of approved education every two years. Individuals who did not hold a state Dwelling Contractor Financial Responsibility Credential on April 11, 2006 will be required to take an initial 12 hours of coursework in construction laws, codes, and business practices."
The ’grandfathered’ builders will only be required to take 12 hours of approved education every two years - these classes will most likely not include a test. The Department of Commerce will be sending a qualifier credential application to all ’grandfathered’ builders in the latter part of 2007.
The WBA is currently offering a "New Builder" 12-hour course meeting the requirements of the state’s contractor education law for initial qualifiers. Additional information and listings of courses offered statewide can be found at the Department of Commerce website. WBA’s New Builder education courses are scheduled for November 14-15 (Madison); December 4-5 (Stevens Point); December 18-19 (Eau Claire).
Click here to view our Qualifier Brochure and find out if you qualify to be grandfathered in.
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