Unlicensed Contractors don't want you to
read this!
If you have not
read our NJ Law Page, please
click here to do so and then come back to this page.
Some home improvement,
handyman, water treatment, heating, lawn sprinkler, kitchen and
bathroom remodeling, general and mechanical contractors perform
plumbing services illegally and place your family at
risk.
There are a few types of illegal
contractors:
The genuinely
oblivious contractor;
The contractor out to make as much money as he
can;
The contractor
who is against all government and safety
regulations;
In all the
above cases, the bottom line is: You &
your family are at risk!
Some contractors may
use specific tricks, misleading statements or omissions
when performing certain types of jobs to make you believe they
can do the work they are selling you. Below are some specific
types of job and the traps you need to watch for.
Here are
some basic rules of thumb
Generally anything
connected to potable water or a drainage system is usually
plumbing;
Most installation or
replacement of items other then faucets require a State Permit and
a safety inspection;
If you have doubts about
license requirements contact the NJ Board of Master Plumber
Examiners;
If you have doubts about
permit requirements contact your municipal building
department;
Specific Jobs
and Traps to Avoid
Home Improvement License or
Registration
As of December 2005 all
contractors offering home improvement services must register
with the state of NJ.
This
registration does not authorize them to perform any type of
plumbing service no matter how small or
large.
Water
treatment is defined as plumbing and can only be installed or
serviced by a NJ Master Plumber. Water treatment is usually
connected to both the potable water system and the house
sewer. It has a serious potential for cross contamination.
An improperly installed system can cause severe
health issues.
Never allow a
water treatment contractor to install any equipment with out
first verifying the installers Master Plumbers License by
contacting the NJ Board of Master
Plumber Examiners.
HeatingContractors and Water
Heaters
Water heaters including gas, oil, electric,
indirect on demand or any other type can only be
installed by a Master Plumber. Heating
Contractors unless licensed as Master Plumbers
can not install a water heater. They can not
even install a water line to your boiler or replace parts that
are installed before backflow preventers.
An improperly installed
water heater can act as a bomb causing death or sever injury.
Never allow a
heating contractor to install a water heater with out first
verifying the installers Master Plumbers License by contacting
the NJ Board of Master Plumber
Examiners.
IrrigationContractors and Lawn
Sprinklers
Irrigation
Contractors must be licensed to install lawn sprinklers,
however they can not connect the sprinkler system to the
water. The reason for that is a sprinkler system can cause a
contamination of drinking water if not connected
properly.
Never allow
an Irrigation Contractor to connect any equipment to your
homes water with out first verifying the installers Master
Plumbing License by contacting the
NJ Board of Master Plumber Examiners.
The Bathroom
/ Kitchen Contractor
No one except a
NJ Master Plumber can replace a kitchen sink, bathtub, toilet
shower ect... A few bathroom remodelers may try to
get you to sign the permit for the plumbing work. Unless you
are doing it don't do it, you will be violating the law and
possibly placing your family at risk.
