DLCA Warns Construction Contractors To Only Perform Work Outlined In Their Licenses; Sets New Policy

ST. CROIX — The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA) has issued a press release that warns construction contractors not to falsify their scope of work to residents, as the department has received complaints alleging that certain trade contractors are misrepresenting themselves as construction contractors and as operators of general construction companies.

DLCA says pursuant to Virgin Islands Code, individuals seeking to hold a license as a construction contractor must sit and pass a written and practical examination administered through the department to demonstrate that they have sufficient knowledge, technical training and administrative ability to perform, supervise and manage the practice of general construction. An individual seeking to hold a general construction company license must be a licensed general contractor.

According to the department, while individuals holding a single license or a combination of licenses such as masonry contractor, carpentry contractor and roofing contractor may possess the type of knowledge to enable them to perform many tasks needed to construct homes or repair buildings, in the absence of a general contractors license, the law prohibits them from doing so or from representing themselves to the public as a general contractor. Unfortunately, DLCA says, many of these individuals are doing just that.

To prevent such misrepresentation, the department has implemented a new policy for all new applicants. Furthermore, masonry contractor, carpentry contractor and roofing contractor licenses will not be issued in any combination to the same individual or entity. Each one of these licenses, however, can be issued in conjunction with any two of the following licenses:

• Tile setting Contractor 
• Plastering Contractor 
• Drywall/Sheetrock Installation Contractor 
• Painting Contractor 

DLCA added that in order for an individual to hold licenses in the restricted combinations, that individual must apply for and pass the examination to hold a general construction contractor license through DLCA’s Board of Commissions.

This policy is being put in place for the protection of the consumer in order to ensure that the work performed in the field of construction is of the highest caliber. It is incumbent upon the consumer to insist upon the production of the appropriate and current Virgin Islands license prior to contracting any individual to perform work of any kind, the department concluded.

For further information, contact DLCA at the following numbers: 713.3522 on St. Croix; 714.3522 on St. Thomas.