Virginia Administrative Code › Title 18 - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING › Agency 50 - BOARD FOR CONTRACTORS › Chapter 22 - BOARD FOR CONTRACTORS REGULATIONS › Part VI - Prelicense Education › Section 18VAC50-22-300:1 - APPENDIX RBC-9.1. Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 24, July 15, 2024
STATEMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTIONS THIS CONSUMER PROTECTION
					 SHEET IS PROVIDED THROUGH THE BOARD FOR CONTRACTORS AND MAY BE REPRODUCED BUT
					 NOT ALTERED
If you are about to engage the services of a contractor in
					 the state of Virginia, you should be aware of the state's program for the
					 regulation of this occupation by licensing or certifying these
					 businesses.
Any contractor who undertakes a project the total value of
					 which is $70,000 or more is required to have a valid Class A license issued by
					 the Board for Contractors. Any contractor who undertakes a project the total
					 value of which is over $7,500 but less than $70,000 must have a valid Class B
					 license. A licensed contractor has met standards established by the Board for
					 Contractors to ensure that the licensee possesses the character, knowledge, and
					 skills necessary to practice without harm to the public.
Any contractor who undertakes a project the total value of
					 which is more than $1,000 but no more than $7,500 is required to have a valid
					 Class C certificate. Class C certification requires that the contractor submit
					 information to the Board for Contractors concerning the location, nature, and
					 operation of the business, as well as evidence of experience and information on
					 the applicant's credit history. Contractors who work in the plumbing,
					 electrical or heating/ventilation/air-conditioning trades must have either a
					 Class A or Class B license, according to project amount.
Before signing any contract, you should ask to see the
					 license/certificate or the pocket card issued with the license/certificate and
					 check to be sure that it has not expired and that the contractor is working
					 within the limits of his licensure or certification.
The authority of the Board for Contractors to discipline
					 these licensed or certified contractors is limited to specific violations of
					 the law and/or regulations of the board, such as written citations from the
					 local building inspectors for violations of the Virginia Uniform Statewide
					 Building Code or practices which constitute abandonment, gross negligence,
					 continued incompetence, or misconduct in the practice of the profession. In
					 such cases disciplinary action by the board is limited to fines and/or
					 revocation or suspension of the contractor's license or certification, and such
					 action can only be taken after a hearing or with the consent of the
					 licensee/certificate holder and his agreement to waive his right to a
					 hearing.
The board does not have the authority to order a
					 licensee/certificate holder to make restitution to you for losses you may have
					 incurred due to the contractor's poor performance; efforts to recover such
					 funds must be made through the civil courts. If you are planning to take such
					 action against the contractor, you should contact the Board for Contractors at
					 (804) 367-8561 in order to receive information about the Virginia Contractors
					 Transaction Recovery Fund and the procedures for applying to recover from the
					 fund if you are unable to collect after judgment is awarded in court.
Issues involving cosmetic defects in workmanship must be
					 resolved by negotiation between you and your contractor or civil action to
					 enforce the terms of your contract if necessary. You should be careful in
					 reviewing the contract before signing it in order to be sure that the terms of
					 the agreement are clear and acceptable to you. You should know that,
					 customarily, the initial down payment is no more than 30% of the total value of
					 the contract and that, if you are dissatisfied with the work performed by the
					 sub-contractors, you may hold the general contractor responsible. Finally,
					 remember that, in accordance with the Virginia Home Solicitation Sales Act
					 (§
										59.1-21.1 et seq. of the Code of
					 Virginia), you have a three-day right to cancel a contract which you have
					 negotiated in your home. (For more precise information about the application of
					 this law, see the Code of Virginia or seek legal advice.)
Should you have reason to believe that your contractor may
					 not have complied with the rules and regulations of the Board for Contractors,
					 you should notify the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation by
					 calling (804) 367-8504 or write to the following address:
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
					 Enforcement Division 3600 West Broad Street Richmond, Virginia
					 23230-4917
The aforementioned information is not intended to be an
					 exhaustive list of the remedies available to you through your local government
					 or other agencies. If you need additional assistance, call the Virginia
					 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Citizens Assistance number at
					 (804) 786-2042, or write to the following address:
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Washington
					 Building - Capitol Square 1100 Bank Street, Room 101 Richmond, Virginia
					 23219