Wisconsin Builder | Top Projects of 2005

On the Homefront

Back to school

Bill sends contractors to the classroom

By Janine Anderson

Contractors in Wisconsin better brush the dust off the textbooks because it’s time to go back to school.

Rather than learning reading, writing and arithmetic, builders now will study techniques, technologies and regulations. And, this time around, attendance is not an option.

A new law, signed by Gov. Jim Doyle on March 27 and authored by state Sen. Dave Zien, R-Eau Claire, requires contractors pulling building permits to complete at least 12 hours of construction classes in two calendar years and attend at least one professional meeting or seminar. New builders are required to pass an examination.

“We’re very vigilant on people getting into the building industry,” Zien said.

He said the bill earned support from construction representatives, who say the requirements are a needed legislative step that follows what many are already doing.

“So much is changing so fast,” Zien said. “These seminars are absolutely important.”

The bill is not simply advisory. The Department of Commerce can suspend contractors’ licenses if they are convicted of a crime related to construction, are bankrupt two or more times, fail to comply with education requirements or work on a building without a permit.

Seminars such as the Metropolitan Builders Association's Building Science and Design Conference should see a rise in attendance thanks to a recently passed continuing-education law.

Photo courtesy of Metropolitan builders association

“Fly-by-night people have ripped people off in Eau Claire,” Zien said. “This will go the needed distance to prevent that.”

Matt Moroney, executive director of the Metropolitan Builders Association, said his members believe the bill is a good thing.

“We think the technologies have been changing rather rapidly over the past few years,” he said. “We think an educated builder is a better builder.

“If you’re going to be pulling a building permit in the state of Wisconsin, you’re expected to be up to date on building codes, the new systems in place. It’s something that the home owner should expect.”

Moroney said that in areas where home builder associations don’t exist or aren’t active, there can be a sense that if someone has been in the business for a while, they know what they’re doing.

“Continuing education is a good thing,” he said. “It may bring new issues to your awareness. I’ve seen greater emphasis on education.”

The MBA holds classes every week to give contractors a place to go to learn more about everything from safety to changes in the industry.

Zien said he worked with Wisconsin builders throughout the legislative process.

“We had a couple drafts so they could put their ideas in writing,” he said.

By working with the industry, Zien said, he is confident the bill will strengthen the building trades while giving greater confidence to people looking for someone to build a new home.

“We think it is very, very important for the home-building industry to prevent work that shouldn’t be done,” Zien said. “People should be able to feel confident the person they’ve chosen to build their dream home is going to do it.

“This helps guarantee we have a good state.”