New roofing law aimed at protecting consumers

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Published 5/18/2013 in Business : Business

rcampbell@gctelegram.com

Come July 1, not everyone will be able to hang out a shingle and call themselves a roofing contractor.

A new state law, called the Kansas Roofing Contractor Registration Act will require residential and commercial roofing contractors to register with the state. The law is aimed at protecting Kansas home and building owners from "unscrupulous activity," especially after a severe storm, DV Douglass Roofing co-owner and Kansas Roofing Association President Steve Douglass said in a press release.

The law will become part of the Consumer Protection Act, which is administered and enforced by the Attorney General. It also will create a registry in the Office of the Attorney General.

Douglass, who co-owns Douglass Roofing with his three brothers, said the law closes a "doughnut hole" in the Midwest, with Kansas being the only state without a roofing contractor registration law. The law applies to contractors statewide, as well as those from out of state.

"Every roofing contractor, regardless, will have to register," Douglass said. There are a few exceptions such as if someone is repair their own roof, or there is a handyman exemption where someone adding a room onto a home and tacking on a "few shingles" wouldn't have to register.

"That's what we as the Kansas Roofing Association have requested that everyone starts from scratch and registers," Douglass said. He said Kansas loses $2 million a year in sales tax from contractors who come in and bring materials from out of state.

"This will help ensure these guys are paying the same as the one in Kansas and help protect the elderly," Douglass said.

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New roofing law aimed at protecting consumers