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Why is construction not an essential business in Vermont but it is in nearby states?

VermontCoronavirus
Anonymous Contractor

In New York and Massachusetts construction is considered an essential business, even remodeling as it is "work necessary to render occupied residential buildings fully habitable". And in Vermont the only building services permitted are those necessary for the "safety, sanitation and operations of residences" This shuts my existing remodeling projects down on the spot, with homes that are partly torn apart in order to make upgrades.

1 reply

Levelset Admin at Levelset
| 1,003 reviews
Mar 27, 2020
Vermont's stay at home order is more strict than most other states. Still, "construction necessary to support the COVID-19 response and maintain critical infrastructure" is considered "essential." Further, if the work is crucial for the safety of the home, then that work may be allowable, too - to the extent that work must be done to make the project property safe. Understandably, though, this is a source of frustration for a lot of Vermont construction businesses. Ultimately, though, as far as "why" construction hasn't been deemed essential - you'd have to reach out to the governor's office for insight into that decision making process. But, to some degree, it makes sense that construction should be limited if the work that's being done is a new build or is more cosmetic than it is essential or reparative. Still, there's been a lot of pressure from the VT construction industry, and these rules can rapidly change - so, it's important to keep an eye out for updates. Additionally, this tracker should be valuable for staying up to date with nationwide trends: Can I do Construction Work In my State?
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