Lawmakers consider raising education requirements for contractors

Jennifer Coleman

Thursday, April 1, 1999 | 9:56 a.m.

CARSON CITY - More education for contractors and homeowners plus steep fines and less leniency for shoddy homebuilders were suggested Wednesday as ways to cut down on construction defects.

Also needed is an end to the misperception among homeowners that a building inspector can guarantee a perfect home, Senate Commerce and Labor Committee members were told.

Inspectors may soon issue certificates of occupancy with disclaimers in bold letters saying the review does not to a warranty, Clark County building inspector Ron Lynn said.

Current certificates may lead people to think "they're getting a perfect house," said Sen. Mike Schneider, D-Las Vegas. Homes are checked for compliance with fire, life and safety standards, not workmanship, he added.

Lawmakers are also considering issuing certificates to new homeowners each time there's a title transfer on a house.

But two homeowners said the changes should go further and clear up what inspectors mean when they say a house meets "substantial compliance" with building codes.

"Should I be comfortable with substantial compliance or should I be scared as hell? Did an inspector walk around and decide it was pretty close to the building codes?" asked Reno homeowner Robert Cantor.

Lynn said inspectors visit construction sites often, but can only approve what they see at that time. If defects are covered up later by the builder, it's difficult for his inspectors to spot.

"It is inappropriate for a government to warranty a product unless we're out there full time," he said.

Lawmakers also may raise education requirements for contractors of single-family homes.

All parties agreed on the need for better communication among the agencies that regulate construction.

Margi Grein, chief of the state Contractors Board, said she has heard horror stories from all over the state about shoddy construction and bad builders. But "by the time they get to the board, the damage is done."

Commerce and Labor Chairman Randolph Townsend, R-Reno, proposed a minimum $500 fine for any citation - even for small offenses such as a contractor leaving his license number off his stationery.

"Why not fine him $500? It takes time to issue a citation," he said.

Grein proposed requiring residential builders to take continuing education courses to keep their licenses. Currently, there are no education requirements once a contractor is licensed.

Irene Porter, director of the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association, agreed that more education is necessary but requested that all contractors, supervisors and project managers also take the classes. She'd also like to see classes focus on building codes.