Unlicensed contracters increasing


The Oregon Construction Contractors Board is hiring more inspectors to deal with an uptick in illegal construction activity.

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The Oregon Construction Contractors Board has had to hire more inspectors to deal with a rise in illegal construction activity.

More contractors are choosing to operate without a license, even though they could be fined up to $5,000.

The state board from April 1 through June 30 issued 256 penalties to unlicensed contractors and contractors who hired unlicensed subcontractors. That’s a slight uptick from the same time last year, when 234 penalties were issued. Though most contractors agree that financial instability is the main reason why contractors forgo licenses, they have different opinions on such actions.

Before the recession hit in 2007, the number of contractors caught working without a license was significantly lower, according to Gina Fox, education manager with the Construction Contractors Board.

Read more at the Daily Journal of Commerce.

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