By Paul Bianchina
Q: I had some remodeling done, and the general contractor did not do the job right and now will not rectify the problem. Who do I contact to file a complaint against the contractor? Is it the Better Business Bureau? Also, is a permit needed to add a bathroom? The contractor said it wasn't because of the small size of the room, but that doesn't sound right. -Bob K.
A: The best place to contact is your local or state contractor's board. Simply do a Web search for your state name, following by "contractor's board" or "contractor's registration" to get more information.
In most states, if the work was done within the last year - and assuming the person who did the work was a licensed contractor at the time - the contractors board can assist you with filing a complaint. They will then help you and the contractor work things out through a mediation process, which is more effective then filing with the Better Business Bureau.
As to the second part of your question, I can't imagine a set of circumstances where a permit would not be required for the addition of a bathroom, regardless of its size. Between framing, plumbing, electrical wiring, and other changes to your home, a number of building codes come into play that require inspection and verification from the building officials. For more information, contact your local city or county building department and describe the exact nature of the work being done. I would do this prior to contacting the contractor's board, since the information you receive from the building department may become an important part of your complaint against the contractor.
Copyright 2006 Inman News.
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