Contracting - Customer Backed Out.

tommytwo

In MN, you can work in any of several specialty trades without having a license. Here's the state website: http://www.dli.mn.gov/CCLD/RBCWho.asp


As long as the OP has insurances as required, he isn't doing anything illegal. I'm sure a lot of this is tons different in other states, but it sounds like he's good here.

AJAX

con⋅trac⋅tor

  /ˈkɒntræktər, kənˈtræktər/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [kon-trak-ter, kuhn-trak-ter] Show IPA –noun

1. a person who contracts to furnish supplies or perform work at a certain price or rate.

Under this definition, is EVERYONE in California licensed?

Read above post! Why is it that there are so many people hear that jump on others for not having a license when in fact you DON"T NEED ONE FOR GUTTERS!

The guy is just trying to get a little advise, ease up and stop commenting on things you don't know about (and I'll try to do the same).

bwalley

If you will read his own words, he says he is not a contractor and is going to eventually get licensed and do it legally, here is where I got the idea he didn't have a license.

SeamlessGutters

Bwalley - Your so caught up with things that don't matter it is silly. You should be a lawyer. Honestly, get a life.

OGStilts

The way I read it was that he is currently a Gutter Contractor which doesn't require a license in Minnesota but is going to school to become a General Contractor (I assumed this part).

While I understand everyone's tension about legit contractors vs illegals, sometimes I feel like the guys in California and Florida blow this out of proportion because they don't understand how it is in the rest of the U.S. and then it becomes a big pi$$ing match when guys from Minnesota don't understand the laws in other states and don't explain themselves very well.

For example, in Illinois there is no state license for a general contractor. Each village or city you work in you are usually required to get a business license and every sub contractor is required to have a business license in that village or city. All it takes to get these business licenses is to fill out a form and pay anywhere from $25 - $100. Rarely does a village require a written test for the GC or most subs. Typically the only subs required to have a state license is the roofers, the electricians, and the plumbers. Personally, I wish there were more testing requirements to be a GC here but that's another topic in and of its self.

My point is you guys are getting all hung up over the verbiage and fighting over nothing.

__________________

Chicago Home Remodeling-
Chicago Luxury Builder- Basement Remodeling- Kitchen Remodeling-Chicago Bath Remodeling

NormW

I made the jump from sub-contracting to GC. (well.... uhm... I still sub a bit ). Around here, most contractors start the same way. Basically jump over a cliff, and hope they grow wings.

IMO I try not to judge other carpenters the first couple of years out. Few if any start the right way. There is no contractor school around here (I too, had to chuckle when I read that, but out of ignorance not malice. I think its an awesome idea, and regret MA does not require it. I suspect I am in the same boat as Cooke)

I put the basics of my business together one piece at a time. After learning the trade as a carpenter, I received my license, insurance (liability and comp), Home Improvement Cert (nothing but a piece of paper you pay $100 for ) EIN #, always write contracts or letters of agreement and a bunch of other stuff to become "legit".

I still do some "low ball" stuff though, that I not happy with. I 1099 everyone who works for me, or use casual labor. I drive an old truck, that I think my dog is embarassed being seen in. Worst thing I do, is I fold immediately when people negotiate price, afraid of losing work (ecspecially lately) Wife says I need to grow balls... sigh.

Anyway, I think everyone should go light on guys trying to get started. Most of them mean well, and I suspect have a romantic vision of what the trades are, the romance wears off (at least a bit). Others are poor souls who got laid off or fell on hard times, to those I have sympathy for. After awhile, they move on after they get their feet back. I have to admit, here, illegals are not much of a problem, I have been spared that competition.

We do have many people though who seem to be "grandfatherd" in by the building inspectors, who do not follow any of the rules the rest of us do. It s a small area here, and its something that I have to learn to keep my peace on. New guys do not bother me, but guys who are "reputable" with no insurance, license, or permits, but shiny new trucks, makes me a bit angry. They are old-timers, so out of respect, I stay quiet.

GrasshopperPete

There are some trades that don`t require a license...most places ive seen:

Painting and Decorating
Powerwashing and refinish decks roofs patios,etc.


( Like none of you guys did jobs on the side before you were licensed, or off the books)

NormW

Hell yeah!

but ... I went legit over time...

SeamlessGutters

Not to sound like even more of a young aragont punk then I already do, but, since when is power washing a trade?

bwalley

With the way you are running your business, I can tell you don't pay attention to details and you will end up needing a lawyer to bail you out from making stupid mistakes.

Good luck in your venture of becoming a contractor.

Does your state require any experience to become a contractor or do you learn by OtJT on your clients projects?

SeamlessGutters

OtJT?

OGStilts

On The Job Training

__________________

Chicago Home Remodeling-
Chicago Luxury Builder- Basement Remodeling- Kitchen Remodeling-Chicago Bath Remodeling

NormW

Here we learn the trades as an employee, then as a sub. Contracting is "Otjt" . I would say in this area, that is how everyone is, except from the fortunate few who inherited a family business or went to college.

Regretfully the days of aprentise (spelling, sorry), journeyman, and master builder, is lost forever.

Everything that seamless gutter said, I see as legit. I am confused as to what the problem is, outside of "contracting school". Contracting school is just not around here, wish it was. I got a chuckle when I heard it, but like I said "out of ignorance". Its a small world, and Im only familiar with a small part of it.

I think seamless overall did the right thing by returning the deposit, hats off. I do not see why anyone would have an issue with the licensing, its gutters, and he stated right off the bat that he was working on a license. Everyone has to start somewhere. Granted in my area its the norm. If this is a major issue in other areas of the country, Ive learned something new.

I think there are much bigger problems in the trades, then people venturing into them. I feel we should encourage it, not belittle it. I am not sure how hard it is for everyone here to find a mason for example. Here, forget it. You want a mason where I live? Buy a trowel and get to it ... Hey Im even "licensed"! BS I do not know crap about it. But in MA, a license covers you, so a "license" means nothing. What we need here, is new young people willing to get into the trades and stay in them.

SeamlessGutters

[quote=NormW;785504]Here we learn the trades as an employee, then as a sub. Contracting is "Otjt" . I would say in this area, that is how everyone is, except from the fortunate few who inherited a family business or went to college.
quote]

Thank you for you post. But I do want to clearify that even though I did go to college, I did however, pay for it with my own money, and worked 70 hours weeks for two years as a lead installer before I had enough saved up to start my own buz. Just becuase somebody goes to college doesn't mean that life is easier for them or something. I busted my balls with school and work, and it helps me think outside the box and survive. I didn't do it becuase I wanted to boss people around but because I wanted a competitive edge.

But I think I am done with this site. I am going to take the time I waste on here and go hang some gutter.

Shalome.

NormW

I probably was not clear, I think its great when people with a college education go into the trades, everyone benefits, and it helps our image. Wish more would do it. Heh, with the economy, more probably are. It will force us to work smarter, not longer or harder. Also Im glad to see people inheriting the family businesses and staying in them, that also speaks well for the trades.

It is hard to communicate on the internet, It is easy to type something that can be taken in a number of different ways. The smileys help a lot. I should of put a after the comment about college and family businesses being continued.

AJAX

The only one NOT paying attention to details is you! Read the first two lines of this post.

"I am not a contractor..Yet.. I just work as a sub.

I do gutters and don't need to pull building permits to do so."

Your statements are pointless!
Here is a link to your city's web site that has no info stating that a person needs a license or to be certified to install gutters. Furthermore it even states that YOUR requirements as A/C contractor are 4 years of college and/or (the key word, OR) work related experience. Nothing about A/C college. HA! caught in your own web of lies! I love it, I love it!

https://www.myfloridalicense.com/int...boardid=06&SID=

So, it seems that you did have ON THE JOB TRAINING, too.

Holy crap! I just noticed something....it was sitting right out in the open....You selfishly proclaim youself as a "pompass ass". It all makes sence now...Thanks.

bwalley

OtJT is one thing as an employee, 4 years proven experience is required to get licensed, up to 3 years of a construction related degree can be substituted, 1 year has to be as a supervisor or foreman, this is so the Contractor is not learning on the job.

I guess you missed the part where I am a Certified Building Contractor as well as a Certified A/c Contractor and I have also passed the state exam for Certified Plumbing Contractor as well, in case you don't know, Certified is a statewide license, while registered is a county license.

There is a difference between learning on the job and then getting a license.

If the guy is selling work directly to the client and doing gutters, he is already acting as a contractor.

BTW the guy who started this thread is not in Florida, so what do my cities rules have to do with where he is located?

Maybe you are the one who should pay attention.

mics_54

Too bad the nazis in your state dont enforce their stupid laws and home owners still hire morons to do their work. ...need a license to not work on sunday...wtf?

construction related degree??? hahahahaha

CookeCarpentry

Man, I go and take the wife away for a night, and get guys threatening to slap me upside the head...that'll learn me from taking time away from CT.

As far as asking for the going rate, there is no going rate for anything.

I don't know where you are getting that I am a we do everything, good at nothing. I am a carpenter by trade and a residential remodeler by profession. All the things I do fall under the carpentry trade, anything else, qualified, licensed subs are called in for.

Don't be mad at me because you only know how to price out gutters and come on here looking to price out work you don't know how to perform.

bwalley

I don't think LE are Nazi's, apparently you are too stupid to know what a real Nazi is.

Unfortunately there is not enough enforcement of unlicensed contractors, but there is some, the City of Tampa has 3 full time detectives that work only on unlicensed contractors but unless it is a bigger job, they don't have time to mess with the small craigslist handymen type.

University of Florida has a very good construction program as do other colleges, but again you are a moron so you wouldn't know anything about it.