MADISON– Building contractors are required to register with the
Department of Commerce
(Commerce) as a result of an administrative rule change in Ch. Comm 5,
Wis. Adm. Code, and
finalized March 2, 2009. The rule applies to businesses, including one
person shops, that act as building contractors or subcontractors that
are involved in the construction or modification of public buildings,
places of employment and one- and 2- family dwellings and are not
already
credentialed by Commerce.

“Contractor registration enables consumers to check an on-line
registry when they consider
hiring a contractor for a construction project,” said Commerce
Secretary Richard J. Leinenkugel.
“It also enhances the department’s ability to identify, communicate
with and educate contractors
and subcontractors of consumer protection issues, best practices, and
changes in codes and
regulations.”

Building or remodeling a structure is a major expense for both
businesses and consumers. Both
will find it helpful to check whether a contractor has registered with
the department.
Registration deadline was July 1, 2009, but Commerce is continuing to
accept registrations.
Commerce has posted the registry on the internet, where it is
available to consumers available to
the Wisconsin Departments of Workforce Development and Revenue. These
agencies can use
the registry to help them minimize the misclassification of employees
as contractors and
maximize contractor participation in both the unemployment insurance
and workers’
compensation programs.

A contractor registration will cost $100 for a 4-year term if applied
for electronically and $115 if applied for via paper. Contractors can
register at
http://commerce.wi.gov/SB/SBBuildingContractorProgram.
html.

Consumers can check the registry at
http://commerce.wi.gov/SB/docs/SB-CredListBuildingContractors.xls