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Seven Quick and Basic Points about Building Contractor Registration 1. Working under one of five Wisconsin building codes requires registration as a Building Contractor, except . . .2. Define "construction" in terms of Building Contractor Registration. 3. Does a one-person business need the Building Contractor Registration? 4. Do subcontractors need to register as Building Contractors? 5. Hiring subcontractors with the Building Contractor Registration. 6. Employees don't need to register as Building Contractors. 7. Issuing permits related to Building Contractor Registration. Here is a group of Frequently Asked Questions concerning the BCR. 1. Working under one of these Wisconsin building codes requires registration as a Building Contractor, except . . . Construction businesses in Wisconsin working on a building or structure under any of these codes: - SPS 316, Electrical. - SPS 320 to 325, Uniform Dwelling. - SPS 328, Smoke Detectors. - SPS 333, Passenger Ropeways. - SPS 334, Amusement Rides. - SPS 340, Gas Systems. - SPS 341, Boilers and Pressure Vessels. - SPS 343, Anhydrous Ammonia. - SPS 345, Mechanical Refrigeration. - SPS 361 to 366, Commercial Buildings (including interior wall coverings). - SPS 381 to 384, Plumbing. - SPS 390, Public Swimming Pools and Water Attractions. - SPS 391, Sanitation. must be registered with the Safety and Buildings Division as a Building Contractor unless the business falls under two exceptions. 1. The person/business works only on property they own or lease. 2. The business already holds another type of contractor credential: dwelling contractor certification; dwelling contractor – restricted certification; manufactured home manufacturer license; manufactured home dealer license; manufactured home installer license; electrical contractor certification; electrical contractor – restricted certification; HVAC contractor registration; elevator contractor license. There are financial penalties possible for doing work under the codes in #1 without the proper credentials. See SPS 305.125. 2. Define "construction" in terms of Building Contractor Registration “Construction business” means a trade that constructs, installs, or alters any element, component, material or device within or serving a building or structure where the element, component, material or device is regulated under one of the codes noted in #1. Construction does not include a person or entity working on real estate or property they or the entity own or lease. Construction does not include design of a building or structure; delivery of building supplies or materials; manufacture of a building product off the building site; non-profit volunteer programs; painters (unless applying a specialized surface); landscapers (unless doing work under soil erosion code language); demolition. 3. Does a one-person business need the Building Contractor Registration? A one-person / sole proprietor contractor business needs the Building Contractor Registration if the work is governed by one of the codes listed in #1, and - If the business does not hold another Safety and Building Division contractor credential, such as: dwelling contractor certification; dwelling contractor – restricted certification; manufactured home manufacturer license; manufactured home dealer license; manufactured home installer license; electrical contractor certification; electrical contractor – restricted certification; HVAC contractor registration; elevator contractor license. There are financial penalties possible for doing work under the codes in #1 without the proper credentials. See SPS 305.125. 4. Do subcontractors need to register as Building Contractors? Subcontractors must have a Building Contractor Registration if their work is governed by the codes listed in #1, and - if the business does not hold another Safety and Building Division contractor credential, such as: dwelling contractor certification; dwelling contractor – restricted certification; manufactured home manufacturer license; manufactured home dealer license; manufactured home installer license; electrical contractor certification; electrical contractor – restricted certification; HVAC contractor registration; elevator contractor license. There are financial penalties possible for doing work under the codes in #1 without the proper credentials. See SPS 305.125. 5. Hiring subcontractors with the Building Contractor Registration Registered Building Contractors cannot subcontract work to any business that does not have a Building Contractor Registration, if the work is governed by the codes listed in #1, and - if the subcontractors do not hold a Safety and Building Division contractor credential: dwelling contractor certification; dwelling contractor – restricted certification; manufactured home manufacturer license; manufactured home dealer license; manufactured home installer license; electrical contractor certification; electrical contractor – restricted certification; HVAC contractor registration; elevator contractor license. There are financial penalties possible for hiring subcontractors which do not have the proper credentials. See SPS 305.125. 6. Employees don't need to register as Building Contractors The Wisconsin Building Contractor Registration is for businesses, not for employees of a construction contractor business. 7. Issuing permits related to Building Contractor Registration A Wisconsin municipality may not issue a building permit for a commercial building construction activity unless the requester holds a Building Contractor Registration, holds a contractor credentials, or unless the requester is working only on property they own or lease. A Wisconsin municipality may not issue a Uniform Dwelling Code building permit unless the requester is the owner who resides in the dwelling or the requester provides proof of the Dwelling Contractor Certification and the Dwelling Contractor Qualifier Certification. The Building Contractor Registration does not qualify a business to obtain Uniform Dwelling Code permits. County Web sites || City/Town/Village Web sites || State Portal || Build Your Business The Department of Safety and Professional Services Safety and Buildings Division is an equal opportunity service provider and employer. If you need assistance to access services or need material in an alternate format, please contact us, 608-266-3151, TDD Relay dial 711 in Wisconsin or 800-947-3529. |