In 2006 we relocated from New Jersey to New Hampshire, and in 2011 we moved to Vermont. We owned a design/build company in New Jersey and performed extensive remodeling projects over 15-plus years, which included interior remodeling and new construction. We followed all established construction code requirements, project permitting, and series of inspections throughout the projects — from footings to final inspection.
The fact that there is no oversight of construction projects in either New Hampshire or Vermont was a shock.
First, the public and the contractor need to understand that permits and inspections protect the consumer and the contractor. There is a cost to both — our clients paid for the permits, so that was a cost to them — and permits and inspections do tend to slow down the pace of a project, so that is a cost to the contractor.
But, without inspections, the consumer is at the mercy of the honesty and integrity of the contractor to perform work according to current national codes.
While here, we have observed too many times work that was questionable at best. The fact that there is no licensing required for plumbers, electricians and contractors is shocking — but licensing is required to work on someone’s nails!
The most recent change to register contractors who perform projects of $10,000 or more and require proof of insurance is an inadequate solution and does not address the problem of poor performance and illegal work.
There is a cost to develop a system of inspections for the entire state — though, following the examples of other states would help. In New Jersey, there were certain towns that “shared” inspectors to offset the burden of maintaining a single inspector for each town, though most towns had their own building department and building inspector.
This issue is most evident now with the problems that are being presented regarding the insulation industry — no oversight, no training, no certification is resulting in devastating results for unsuspecting homeowners.
When will Vermont decide that these issues are critical to a thriving state and expanding population? We can no longer think of Vermont as a “rural enclave” living in the past, but rather as a dynamic, forward-thinking state that understands the importance of entering the 21st century.
Sally Laurent
Windsor