Tag Archives: contractor license

Yet ANOTHER Reason not to Contract without a License

Posted on April 24, 2024 by Christopher G. Hill • 0 Comments

Business of Construction, Construction, Construction Law

Originally posted 2021-10-14 12:02:08.

Remember when I stated that you cannot lawfully perform construction work in Virginia without a contractor’s license? Remember when I said that you risk non-payment if you do so? If you needed another reason, a relatively recent Virginia Court of Appeals decision upholding a criminal conviction for performing construction work without a license should be that reason.

In Riddel v. Commonwealth, the Court took up an appeal from the conviction of Jeff Riddel where Mr. Riddel was verbally asked by homeowners to inspect and then repair their septic system. Mr. Riddel then contracted with Fairfax Suburban Septic to pump out and repair the system. Mr. Riddel then delivered the homeowners an invoice from Fairfax Suburban Septic and instructed the homeowners to pay Fairfax Suburban Septic directly. After payment, the homeowners became aware that the work was not completed and that neither Mr. Riddel nor his subcontractor was licensed to perform septic work in Virginia. Continue Reading

Licensing Reciprocity Comes to Virginia

Posted on May 3, 2023 by Christopher G. Hill • 0 Comments

Business of Construction, Construction Law

Remember my admonishment to get your Virginia contractor’s license? Well, that will get easier for experienced construction professionals that hold a license from a state or territory outside of Virginia beginning on July 1, 2023. In this past session of the General Assembly, the Youngkin administration pushed and the legislature passed a universal licensure statute

A Reminder to Get Your Contractor’s License in Virginia

Posted on April 19, 2023 by Christopher G. Hill • 0 Comments

Business of Construction, Construction, Construction Law, Contracts, Mechanic's Liens

A question I get often, particularly from construction contractors outside of Virginia is whether they need to get a Virginia contractor’s license. The answer is almost invariably “yes.” The next question is why? The answer is almost always “Because state law says so.” With some minor exceptions for material suppliers and the like, Virginia law

PSA: Performing Construction Work in Virginia Requires a Contractor’s License

Posted on January 14, 2019 by Christopher G. Hill • 5 Comments

Business of Construction, Construction, Construction Law

As a Virginia construction attorney, I often get calls for assistance in dealing with payment disputes. Frequently, these calls come from out of state contractors and subcontractors that have performed work in Virginia. One of the first questions that I ask is whether these contractors and subcontractors hold a contractor license from the Commonwealth of

About Musings

I am a construction lawyer in Richmond, Virginia, a LEED AP, and have been nominated by my peers to Virginia's Legal Elite in Construction Law on multiple occasions. I provide advice and assistance with mechanic's liens, contract review and consulting, occupational safety issues (VOSH and OSHA), and risk management for construction professionals.

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