Contracting: How & Who

Making your property defensible varies in level of difficulty.  Some projects may be accomplished by the homeowner alone, whereas other, larger projects may require some outside, or contracted, assistance to complete.

Before deciding whether or not you need assistance in your defensible space projects, you will have to first define your specific project goals.  Are you thinning solely for defensible space, or do you have secondary goals, such as making a profit from timber sales, or creating a park-like atmosphere around your home? 

To help you in this process, contact a forester for a consultation.  A forester can help you devise a plan so that your property will meet county Wildland Urban Interface standards, as well as answer other questions you might have.  To find a qualified forester, check the following sources: Yellow Pages, the OSU Extension Office, the Oregon Small Woodlands Association, or the Oregon Department of Forestry

 

Before giving a contractor the okay to work on your property, it is a good idea to check his/her references and to draw up a working contract (for sample contracts, visit http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/).

Also be sure to check with the Oregon Department of Forestry to find out if you need a "notification of operation" for your project.  If your project involves burning, there may be weather-dependent restrictions you need to be aware of (always check with the ODF and your area fire district official before burning).

There are many factors to consider when your project involves the sale of cut timber, including: value of specific species, height and diameter of trees, form, and total volume of material.  You can order a detailed publication to assist you in your efforts from the Oregon State University Extension Office-- "Managing Your Own Timber Sale: Guidelines For Success."

If you plan on selling the products of your forest treatments, you must be aware of possible taxes you may be resopnsible for (talk with your tax preparer or visit www.oregonwoodlands.org and select "Tax Laws"). 

The links below will assist you in making certain that your contractor is certified by the state of Oregon.

Oregon Landscape Contractor's Board

Created in 1972, the State Landscape Contractors Board (LCB) licenses landscaping businesses and landscape contractors.  The Board receives and investigates consumer complaints, answers consumer and contractor questions and enforces compliance with the licensing law.

Oregon Construction Contractor's Board

The Construction Contractors Board was created in 1971 as the Builders Board and is responsible for safeguarding the security and property of the citizens of Oregon by preventing and resolving construction contracting problems and by insuring contractors' compliance with the law.

Need help finding a contractor? Below is the current list for 2012 of contractors for Jackson and Josephine counties.