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By MECHELE COOPER
Staff Writer 12/26/2007

Staff Writer

Lawmakers are getting ready to take another crack at licensing general contractors.

Almost everyone in the building industry is licensed, from electricians to plumbers to architects.

But not general contractors.

Builders' associations and alliances have opposed licensing contractors because Maine lacks a statewide building code, a set of rules that establishes minimum acceptable levels of safety.

Maine is one of five states that defers all building code issues to the local jurisdiction, which can vary widely from one town to the next.

Sen. Lynn Bromley, D-South Portland, chairwoman of the Business, Research and Economic Development Committee, said her committee will tackle the issue next month when the Legislature convenes. Up for consideration is Legislative Document 1038, An Act To License Home Building and Improvement Contractors.

"This bill bypasses the building code issues," Bromley said Friday. "If a general contractor takes custody of somebody's money, they are accountable. The state isn't going to comment on how good your work is, but it will say you must manage money efficiently, ethically, appropriately and legally."

"It's a different tactic," she added. "It doesn't take care of the whole problem, but it touches on the majority of problems."

In the meantime, the Maine Mid-Coast Builders' Alliance has taken a step to certify builders.

The alliance has developed a certification program to provide a way for consumers to identify a responsible builder.

A builder who holds an alliance certificate of excellence would have demonstrated the knowledge of good construction practice, ethics, safety, insurance, plan-reading, project scheduling and Maine construction and contract law.

Contractors would gain knowledge of the Maine Model Building Code, which is composed of the International Residential Code and International Building Code.

Adoption of the Maine Model Building Code is voluntary on the part of towns.

The next course offered in the certification process will teach builders how to use the 2003 International Residential Code.

Robert Baldwin, president of Eastern Construction Inc. in Thompson, has worked hard to get this program off the ground.

"Some builders spoil the opportunity for others when they do shoddy work," Baldwin said. "Let's figure out how to help the customer to pick a good outfit and get their work done properly the first time and on time."

Local contractor Gary Peachey of Peachey Builders said he favors any type of training. It's an important step in running a successful business, he said.

"If they want to charge a fee to put on a class that covers different topics like the IBC codes and ethics, certainly I think that's great," Peachey said.

Sheila Kimball, executive director of the nonprofit alliance, said her organization has been working with the state to educate contractors.

This course is just one step of the certification process, she said.

"We've taken a step to be proactive hoping that we can help make this better for the consumer and the builder," Kimball said Friday.

As for the licensing bill, if it passes, Bromley said the fee for contractors would be minimal.

The cost of administering the program would be divided up among contractors, she said. That's how every licensing board operates.

They all are funded by licensees.

"There's quite a few (contractors in Maine) so the cost will be irrelevant," Bromley said. "If you can't afford $100 for a license, you ought not to be taking custody of thousands of dollars. We heard from a woman living in a motel because her basement was flooded with sewage due to a mistake by a contractor. There was no recourse for her."

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, Ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com

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