Unlicensed Contractor Sting Operation

SuperiorBuilt

Here is the latest in the 2 counties by me to get contractors to be licensed:
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/na...0,167899.story
I like on how they find these guys. It's usually from the local weekly paper and CL that these guys usually advertise in.
It's nice to see your tax dollars at work.

Teetorbilt

Unlicensed contracting is a felony here with plenty of roadside signs posted by the counties.

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Albert Einstein

Murphy

Wish they would do something like that in virginia.

thom

Around here they seem to be uninterested in hassling the unlicensed, they are to busy picking on the licensed. Sure would be nice if they prosecuted for each violation.

They could prosecute for a number of offenses including:
Contracting without a license
Failure to pay state unemployment tax
Failure to pay federal unemployment tax
Failure to withhold and pay federal income tax
Failure to withhold and pay state income tax
Failure to withhold and pay Employees Social Security (FICA)
Failure to withhold and pay Employees Medicare (FUTA)
Failure to pay Employers Social Security
Failure to pay Employers Mecicare
Failure to provide Workmens Compensation Insurance
Failure to pay Gross Receipts Tax (This is New Mexico's version of Sales Tax which Contractors must pay , currently about 7% of sales)
Failure to report all the earnings to the IRS and state tax officials

Glasshousebltr

Murphy, let me tell ya a little something about that great state you may or may not already know.

When you went to apply for registration, do ya know who reviewed your application? Do ya know who sets the rules for ya?

I'll tell ya who, not elected representatives, not state hired help..........several representatives from the largest contractors in the state make the rules. It used to be 6. It's the sharks making the rules for the guppies.

Now if you consider that ......consider who's going to get choked if the economy goes bad.

A determining factor in my relocation.

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Bob

mdshunk

Seizing a guy's truck is pretty hard-core.

I'm still not sure what the benefit of contractor licensing is.

thom

Probably the most significant benefit is for the buyer. If a licensed contractor in NM fails to construct according to code, the building owner may file a complaint with the state. An inspector will review the complaint. If their is in fact a code violation, the contractor has 30 days to remedy the problem or lose his license, and in theory be out of business.

Rich Turley

MD,

Here in Washington there is no need to show experience or knowledge for licensing, you just have to have proof of insurance. This provides homeowners a way to find out if their potential contractor has the proper bond and insurance.

Rich

Gordo

Its called parity. Check out the definition.

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Looks like some pros were here.

michael084

Workers compensation enforcement officers did a sweep of mine and surrounding counties here in NW Florida last week. They caught 23 violators of the 177 they checked.
Sucks for them, but it sucks to be underbid because someone is unlicensed and uninsured. I have always been a stickler about my subs insurance being straight. Now I also make sure that their workers are legal residents, some don't like it but I don't believe in having illegals on my jobs.

mdshunk

Maybe, but the posession of a license does not automatically create parity. There are both licensed and unlicensed contractors with improper insurances and such, creating disparity even among only licensed men.

Mike Finley

Maybe so, but do you think statistically unlicensed contractors or licensed contractors cause more issues? Issues could be consumer related or professional related.

thom

How do you do that?

nadonailer

First question I ask nowadays when they walk on the jobsite!

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mdshunk

Beats me.

KillerToiletSpider

I have to possess a license just to do my job, it has nothing to do with being a contractor or not. They should make it that way for all skilled trades.

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A flush is better than a full house.

mdshunk

Why? Because tradecraft licensing is the first step toward featherbedding?

KillerToiletSpider

No, because it weeds out incompetent workmen. If you are not intelligent enough to pass a test that is based on your knowledge of the details of your trade, you have no business building anything that other people will depend on to be safe.

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A flush is better than a full house.

mdshunk

So... why is it the governments job to weed out smart people from dumb people?

KillerToiletSpider

Who says the government has to do it?

Grant licensing power to the AFL/CIO.

__________________
A flush is better than a full house.