Maine Home Construction

CONTRACTORS ARE NOT LICENCED- Buyer Beware!

While there are a great many competent, ethical home contractors in Maine, it is up to you, the consumer, to find one. Home contractors are not licensed or regulated by the State of Maine. the old saying “Buyer Beware” applies. You should also keep in mind that the lack of state licensing allows the worst contractors to compete for your business alongside the best. The Attorney General’s Consumer Mediation Program ranks home contractors among the top three most complained about business every year.

The Maine Attorney General’s office strongly recommends that you ask any contractor you are considering hiring for several references and that you follow up on them. It is also a good idea to check with your local building supply companies or real estate brokers. They will know the dependable contractors in your area.

Although home construction contractors are not licensed, some building trades are licensed. Plumbers, electricians, oil burner technicians, and installers of mobile and modular homes are licensed in Maine. For more information on these licensed trades, go to www.maine.gov/pfr/pfrhome.htm

BUILDING CODES

While some towns and cities have adopted building codes and enforced them, others have not. We recommend that you talk to your town’s code officials before you begin construction.

WRITTEN CONTRACTS ARE REQUIRED

For all home construction and home improvement projects over $3,000, Maine law requires a written contract with a specific provision that prohibits payment up front of more than one third of the contract price. When a contractor asks you for any money up front, make sure that the money is being used to purchase materials for your project. Ask for receipts and for a lien waiver from subcontractors. A model home construction contract that meets State law can be found in Chapter 18 of the Maine Attorney General’s Consumer Law Guide. Go to www.maine.gov/ag/index.php?r=clg&s=chap18.

BE CAREFUL WITH CONSTRUCTION LOANS

If a lender is financing your construction project, make sure that you know your lender and that you understand how your loan proceeds will be disbursed and how subcontractors will be paid.

HOME CONTRACTOR COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

You can find out if a particular contractor has been the subject of a consumer complaint that the Attorney General attempted to mediate by contacting the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-436-2131 or at consumer.mediation@maine.gov The Better Business Bureau may also have relevant information on companies. Go to www.bosbbb.org or call (207)878-2715. Keep in mind that just because the Attorney General has accepted a complaint for mediation does not necessarily mean the consumer was right and the contractor was wrong.

HOME CONTRACTORS THE STATE HAS SUED

In the recent past the State has successfully sued the following home contractors for poor workmanship or failure to complete jobs:

-CBS Enterprises ( Kimberly Mark Smith & David J. BLais)       

-Frederic Weinschenk of Weinschenk Builders Inc.

-Stephen Lunt of Lakeview Builders, Inc.

-Bob Burns of Better Homes

-Albert Giandrea of AG’s Home Quality Improvements, Inc.

-Al Verdone

-Mikal W. Tuttle of MT Construction, DMi Industries, Inc. & MT Construction, Inc.

YOUR HOME CONSTRUCTION RIGHTS

Chapter 17 of the Maine Attorney General’s Consumer Law Guide explains your rights when constructing or repairing your home. Chapter 18 of the Consumer Law Guide is a model home construction contract that meets the statutory requirements for any home construction contract over $3,000. Go to http://www.maine.gov/ag/index.php?r=clg.

All of the above information must be provided to the consumer by the builder should the contract be for work totaling more than $3,000.