North Carolina Building ?'s

Mr. D

I'm curious what the rules are in N.C. Are you required to carry a builders lisence there? I'm thinking of moving there to start a company. Probably doing siding and trim. If all goes well, maybe even building some specs. I'm lisenced here in Michigan. As you may have heard things here are a little slow here.

Thanks for your input.

Frankawitz

D, I hear you we have been getting calls for estimates, we have a few small jobs, But with everyone here getting laid off or taking the buy outs, the jobs are few. I want to get out myself but with the jobs I do have they are paying the bills, I was looking at Texas I talked with some guys down there and they have allot of work and no workers, But Michigan is going to get worse with Grandhole raising TAXES, Boy ! I bet the people who voted for her didn't see that coming?

Mr. D

My brother left for N.C. in January to scope out the scene since I couldn't keep him busy here. He's subbing for a siding guy now. Trying to hook up with some builders that we can actually bid for. Sounds like the work is there if we can compete with the mexicans. Our quality should be able to handle that issue though.

Yeah Frankawitz, I'm excited to give an extra 2% to the government. I think they deserve a raise.

ruskent

I looked into moving to NC. It seems to be pretty strict down there. You need to pass a exams to get a contractors license. I belive thats just for any job over 30k. Just do a google search. All the info is out there.

Here in NJ, there is no exams. You just send in your 175 bucks, proof of insurance and your done.

SmithBuilt

You can contract to 30,000 as Rusk says. Above that you need license. You will have some competition from Mexican crews. I personally have not found any I like.
Yes to exams.

It's getting very though to build specs in my area, too many builders including national builders. I know of some developments that are selling good, but not accepting any more builders.

Permitting is becoming the nightmare.

Mr. D

I'm sure I can get the lisence. Probably would need to study up on footings and hurricane issues. I imagine most everything else would be in line with things we do in Michigan. I found where to get the N.C. manuals.

Thinking about the Greenville area.

Gordo

The Mexicans are here too.

I do not know much about the Greenville area.....more acquainted with the Outer Banks/Cape Hatteras. These areas are currently slow at this time.

Never been to Michigan.... Hatteras is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

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Looks like some pros were here.

Mr. D

I've been to Hatteras & V.B. both nice. A lot more people than I'm used to seeing. That and the humidity will probably be some big adjustments for me

sheeter

There is an immense amount of construction here in NC. Greeneville is just average though. Their is much more work available near Raleigh-Durham, Greensboro, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, or Wilmington. The commercial and residential markets are both booming. The wage potential may not be what your use to, but something is better than nothing.

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Sheeter
"It's hard to be humble when your good"

TimSim

Huh, what's all that ^^^ you got a cold?

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Devonshire DIY!
Family get 10% off
For anyone looking to buy windows: Anglian conservatories
Told by a mate they were good so just passing on the favour

tinner666

At least your website will not need much change when going to another state. A word here and there, and your advertising is already in place. Cuts way down on time needed to start new business area by far.

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Frank Slate Roof Repairs, Richmond, Va.

Cdat

Yeah, run to the south ya' friggin' traitors! More business for us who stay. We'll also shoulder the burden of paying taxes you're not.

Dave R

Si, if you contract for any jobs $30,000 or more you need a license. (at least you are supposed to have one). If you are going to move to Charlotte and plan to do siding, painting, drywall or landscaping you also need to speak Spanish.

jcalvin

I'm in Western NC and you WILL have to learn spanish before you come. They have taken over. The NC board has given out so many contractor licsenses, or "paper contractors", you will likely go to the bank and here the 25yr old soccer mom teller talking to her framing crew on the phone.

Yes you do have to have a licsense for anything over 30k, but that is supposed to be changing. It is in the paperwork to drop that number to 5k. That will be bad for the nonlicsened but good if you are. I also have and uncle that works in Winston Salem and had to get a city card to do ANYTHING. He only does renos, keeps busy, and makes good money. But, if they pass the 5k thing, he is out of work, word is they aren't going to allow any grandfathering.

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Cal


You hired WHO

Mitch M

Is it in the pipeline yet? I thought it was supposed to be voted on last year. I, for one, would like to see it changed.

Driftwood

I'm in Ca. ,and a G. C. You need one for $500 worth of work , here.
Study ,take the test

willie

I have always heard that to get licensed (in NC ) you have to have at least $17,000 in order to back yourself to the state. This is the only reason why I haven't got mine. January of this year is when my company was officially established, and we install siding and trim. The forementioned Mexicans have driven the competitive wage around here so low that working for someone else is no longer an option. I carry all of the necessary insurances and I don't see what the difference would be to require licensing, except to promote the success of already successful businesses. If the builder is licensed, then anyone who sub-contracts off of him is his responsibility, and it should be. This ensures that a close eye will be kept on quality control, and that the most reliable subs will be used, instead of the cheapest ones. There again, the cheapest ones are usually the businesses that are already established and are cheaper because they already have the guarantee of work and they won't pay.