In our city, it’s obvious that we have a problem. Too many small contractors are doing work that would never pass inspection or meet the standards of any regulating body. Too often, these contractors hire laborers without experience in any trade, without recognizable qualifications to perform the work they are paid to do, and without membership in any reputable trade organization. These workers are unaware of construction guidelines and regulations or the best practices of their trades, and this ignorance shows in the reliability, quality, and above all safety of their work. Responses Small contractors need to hire professionally qualified laborers to do better work. Small contractors need to hire professionally qualified laborers to do better work. Small contractors are not obligated to vet the professional ability of the laborers they hire. Small contractors are not obligated to vet the professional ability of the laborers they hire. Small contractors must submit more of the work they do for inspection. Small contractors must submit more of the work they do for inspection. Small contractors should form local trade organizations to improve standards.