Tuesday night, the Blytheville City Council's Code Enforcement committee recommended the Council beef up the current ordinance on residential remodeling.
The board agreed with Code Enforcement's Capt. Rick Ash that any residential work should be done by an individual who is insured and has an surety bond.
Currently, the ordinance requires those doing residential remodeling jobs over $20,000 to have a contractor's license. They also must have a city privilege license.
Ash recommended removing the $20,000 limit and adding the requirements of insurance and bonds to cover citizens in case the remodeler "does shoddy work."
"A $20,000 limit doesn't help a person who is having a roof put on that cost $5,000," Ash explained. "It doesn't cover them and protect them."
The state requires a contractor's license for new houses over $20,000, but that is not a requirement for remodeling.
Councilman Mylas Jeffers said remodelers "should be held accountable" for their work.
"I want to protect the business people that are doing business properly," Ash said. "But I also want to protect the citizens who are having work done."
The committee also discussed the proposed 2010 code enforcement budget.
mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com