Question About Subcontracting

SidingWindows

I'm 100% sure that where I am needs no license at all. Basically anyone can become a contractor TODAY in upstate new york. DBA takes 5 minutes and you're in business. We are supposed to carry $2 Million GL, and are supposed to put all customer deposits in an escrow account to be used for their job only until it's completed.

This state is saturated with non-insured hacks, but the only time I ever see anyone get in trouble is when they don't do the work. I guess it probably is a good thing that we don't have to deal with the flocks of illegal mexican labor I always hear about in other states. Is it really true that in some places they will group together at a home depot and just hop on contractors trucks that need help? That's crazy.

I do know that farms up here employ mexicans but I've always heard good things about how hard they work and that they actually make decent money. Plus no kids here want to work on farms.

WiaW

Hey, Jumbo, It seems to me, being a person from another country, that there are two states in this wonderfull land mass, NJ and CA, that want to be all by themselves in rules and regulations. Any way I do think that NY has a license, of some sorts.

katoman

Jumbojack - that's interesting, I understand where the State is coming from, and would generaly agree the GC should know the business he's in.

Just seems to deter a 'pure' business man from doing business. Or perhaps this only applies to the construction business?

JumboJack

You don'y need to be a GC if you want to start a siding company.Just the appropriate license needed to do that job (what the classification for siding is escapes me).
And a pure business man could start a siding company,he would just need to have an employee or partner that held the needed license.

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in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber

WiaW

You posted in another thread? or ? That I was a little harsh on. I appoligize, as it seems that you have a real want for information here.I have come to this site new, but have 20 years in most trades, to help out were I can.
I like it up there in the Adorondecks? excuse spelling. Rode through there on my bike a few years back.

SidingWindows

WiaW: I didn't think that I was going to get such resistance at first! I guess I can understand though, if this were salesmentalk.com then I'm pretty sure I would have gotten "Make sure you don't pay those grubby contractors any more than $30 a square! They will just drink it all away then smash the bottle over their wife's head after the job anyways."

On a serious note, while I never want to actually have to climb up ladders and carry tools around for a living, I do need to make sure I understand the building trade completely. I know there are guys like you to offer here with more experience than I could ever have with construction, which the opinions and advice of is invaluable.

Tom Struble

well you do sound like a siding salesman...and you held your ground i hope you get the info your looking for and good luck with your new business

you do work in Greene county?beautiful up that way

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Tom

IanS

I am a sub. There is no difference between a good sub and a good employee. We are just people.
I seldom am asked if I am a sub. I am asked how long I have been working for so and so. I tell them 3 or how ever many years.
As a sub when I am on his job; "I am working for him" period. He is my boss and is paying me.
The sub/employee thing is a goverment/accounting/lawyer thing.

Framer53

No state licensing laws in NY.

Framer53

Depending on where you are at, I can give you references to some subs. PM me.

Flimmer

To answer your original question about Subs........I prefer to call them "Contracting Partners" because that is truly what they are to me and I treat them as Partners. The guys I have are very knowledgable and could do it all on there own but realize that with me they will continue to work wheather they get the job themselves or not. They are smart to work with me and they do have their own work as well.

You are a salesmen, you should be able to shift gears very easily. If you sold it that "Subs are bad", you now know that they aren't and you need to sell the advantages of your company and why subs work for you. I don't even bring it up unless it's asked and if I am asked, I have all the answers as to why I am going to do a good job for them period.

Good luck!!

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Success begins with a fellows WILL, it's all in your state of mind.

HOME Solutions Pro Inc

Tom Struble

in reality its not so much a difference in workmanship between the sub and employee that the ho should be concerned about,they should be more worried about who the hell has the insurance

most companies around here will insist you sign an agreement that the subs insurance be the primary one on the job


most homeowners are never told that

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Tom

freddieIII

my best guess on how many windows to a 100' roll of coil, well i get about 7 for a 24" by 50 " roll, but varies on the size of the windows

decksandfences

lying to your customers is never the answer

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Deck Builder , Fence Contractor, Decks and Fences by Ryan
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griz

Who's responsible for the warranty?

buddy110

If and I stress IF the sub works solely and exclusively for you, the feds do not consider him a sub. He/she would be considered an employee. Get a sub that you can give all your work to. letter his truck, buy him company shirts and now you can tell the truth in the home, figuratively speaking.... what you file on your taxes is your business.

When we are asked this question we answer this way:
All of our crews work exclusively for us.

We have one crew that floats between us and a couple other contractors. When we use him, we simply say: We're going to bring our door specialist in for this job.

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Vinyl replacement windows New York, Fiberglass replacement windows New York, Fiberglass siding New York, Residential roofing New York

Tom Struble

taxes is one thing,workmans comp and liability are another
i think as a homeowner i would assume the company i sighned the contract would be the one i was covered under,that may or may not be the case

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Tom

Framer53

You are incorrect. Any licensing done is by the county or city, not the state.

Used to have state licensing in the 50's and it was disbanded as too cumbersome for the state to regulate, among other reasons.

Advantage Const

I'll speak in third person for a friend who employs undocumented immigrants. They all make over minimum wage. Pay income taxes, and are fully qualified for the jobs they do. Many times, the American citizens who hold the same job don't have half of the productivity, and want twice the pay. The guy I know hires anyone looking for a job when he needs the help, he doesn't base it off of trying to hire illegals. I know that his foremen are getting paid over 35/hr. Laborers start at 10. Being a business owner it is common to see, because it's hard to find good labor anymore. People just want to whine because they have to do more than just type away at a computer.

Tom Struble

probably counties and municipalities are more against state licencing more than anybody as the state license supersedes the local one


i really have no problem with immigrant labor,it's the undocumented part i have a problem with

just because it's easier for your third party friend don't make it right but hey that's just my opinion

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Tom