The construction industry is growing in leaps and bounds, largely thanks to gains in the commercial sector. In fact, in 2017 there were 210,000 new jobs in construction—up from 155,000 new jobs in 2016.
Because of this remarkable growth, it’s often tempting for uncertified, semi-competent independent laborers to try and take their share, by offering contracting services of their own.
In Arizona, however, this practice is illegal. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors keeps track of certified and uncertified contractors and brings contractors practicing without a license to court.
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC)
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors, or ROC, is a state-run agency that licenses contractors and protects people who hire contractors in Arizona.
According to their website at roc.az.gov, their mission is to “protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public through a regulatory system designed to promote quality construction by Arizona contractors.”
Besides licensing Arizona contractors, the Registrar of Contractors also receives and studies complaints from individuals and businesses who have bad experiences with contractors.
A large portion of these complaints come from people who never hired certified contractors in the first place, but unknowingly hired uncertified contractors who practice illegally, and caused damage to their clients’ property.
Because of this, a major aspect of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors is their “most wanted” list of the current 10 most-wanted unlicensed contractors, who practiced contracting illegally and caused damage to property.
As a student in an Arizona contractors license school, when it’s time to start your own business as a competent contractor yourself, you can see why it’s so important that you become state certified before you launch your practice.
Another important source of protection for contractors, clients, and companies are Arizona contractor bonds.
Arizona Contractor Bond Service
An Arizona contractor bond is a type of surety bond, which basically ensures everyone involved in a transaction doesn’t get cheated.
There are three different parties involved in a contractor license bond: the contractor, the company or individual hiring you, and the state bond issuing agency.
The surety bond verifies that you as a contractor are certified to provide professional services. It also makes sure that the hiring client will be compensated, should there be any damages as a result of your contracting services.
To acquire a license bond, you’ll need to approach an Arizona contractor bond service when that time comes.