bjg5240

This may be a repeat of someone else's post, but I couldn't find it. I was hoping someone could shed some light on the topic of "licensed & insured".

Many times (not too often anymore) people have questioned, are you licensed and insured? I own a small GC business in PA, but we mostly do Tile installations. I have insurance, & my company name is is filed in PA under their "Ficticious name" registry. Other than pulling a "license" when needed from each town, I'm not truely licensed. What I am getting at, is there a "license" for general contracting in Pennsylvania. I'm thinking no because I have searched far & wide, but I just wanted some opinions. Thanks again!

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tinner666

In Va, SCC gives you a Contractors lic. The city or county you operate your business from sells you your business lic. Are you confusing the 2?
And you pay your business taxes to them. BUT, here, if you do $40K in any other county or city, you pay THEM the taxes for that amount!

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AtlanticWBConst

I will answer this based on the primary area that we work in, which is the state of MA.

In MA there is a Licensing program. There are 2 different levels of construction licensing: Restricted (smaller SF - residential only) and Unrestricted (larger SF and commercial). The official title of the license is a: "Construction Supervisor's License"...tho it is also referred to as a 'GC license', 'Contractor's license', 'Builder's license', or just plain 'license'.

Contractors that are unlicensed can still do alot of residential work because the state allows the home owner to pull permits for their properties, and then they can hire contractors with proper insurance to do the work.

The State does require that all residential contractors register with them under their: Home Improvement Contractor's Registration program. On this program, they are assigned a multi digit registration number. (There is no test for this, it is a registration) It cost a fee, they are assigned a number, and that number is used to track any complaints.

Thus, there are:

a.) Contractors/General Contractors who are "Licensed & Registered & Insured".

b.) Contractors that are (not licensed) but are Registered and Insured. This is completely legal in the state.

Side point: Pathetically, there are alot of little guys that call themselves residential "General Contractors", tho they don't possess a license.

c.) Unscroupulous Contractors: There are some pathetic lumps that claim on their vehicles and cards that they are "Licensed and Insured".....when thay are only Registered and Insured. (They list their Home Improvement Contractor's Registration number as their "License no.")

I once ran into a drywaller at my gym and he gave me his card that said: "Licensed and Insured". I asked him if they had their construction license?" He said yes. I asked him, what kind of license was it? , a number?
He answered: "well,....um...it's...um....., er, that's referring to our Insurance Certificate license....our insurance....."
- Rolled my eyes and walked away....

So, to sum it up, in my area of main operation, "Licensed and Insured" means a State issued License that is good in all towns (in state)
...tho many individuals twist the phrase around erroneously - to suite themselves.

The way we sort it all out is with the state's CS number (Contruction Supervisor's number). No CS# here means = No construction license.

Now, I live in NH (but work in MA). And my home address state has NO construction Licensing programs or requirements, (neither does RI where we have worked). Generally, if someone or a company advertises "Licensed & Insured" in NH, that usually means that they possess a construction license in another state. They list it as a way to show that they have the knowledge, certification, and experience that can be recognized by the fact that they have "a license" of somesort, while other contractor's in my home state, have none.

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AtlanticWBConst

Just had to bump this as my last total post number total was 666....

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Bone Saw

...

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JenRan

"(neither does RI where we have worked). "

Actually, RI requires all contractors to be registered. crb.ri.gov

CT is also a registration for either New Home Construction or Home Improvement. Many customers call it a a license, but it's just a registration.

Randy

AtlanticWBConst

ummm.....Please RE - Read my statement again:

"Now, I live in NH (but work in MA). And my home address state has NO construction Licensing programs or requirements, (neither does RI where we have worked)."

L-I-C-E-N-S-I-N-G - RI does not require any Construction LICENSING

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tinner666

What is it with 666 anyway? As a tinsmith, trying to get a web ID, and all I tried were taken, the puter said tinner666 was available. After 2 1/2 hrs of trying handles, I took it. I sure get a lot of questions though.

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bjg5240

Thanks for the input guys

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fiore22

You wanna talk about being licensed, come to California. You must be license by the state to hold a GC license. You can not do any work over $500 unless you have a license. There is only one GC license (can do res. or commer. work). We have two exams, and an FBI fingerprint background check. You must carry a $12K bond before they will issue it. Total process time, about a year for me.

maurajbo

I just looked it up. Apparently 666 is the number of the beast in Revelation in the Bible. Seems silly to me though.

As to licensing, I find it exceedingly confusing. Question: who is it that licenses construction workers? Is it an actual government body or is there a contractor's board affiliated with the government? Like if I wanted to get my first license, what web site would I visit if I were in, say, Pennsylvania?

PressurePros

There is no licensing in PA but I still se "licensed and insured" on every other truck I pass. You can be registered though.

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dirt diggler

lol - so what do you say to them??

"uh, ... uh ...


....


.... uh"

bjg5240

Thats just it, what do you say. People are under the assumption that everyone is should be "licensed & insured". I pull the permits when needed, I have insurance, and I'm registered with the state, and Townships as needed. Can't say much more than that, and it hasnt cost me any jobs.

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Mach

I am also in PA. I just moved back about a year ago. What a mistake. Anyway in WV I needed to take the electrical exam, and a business and law exam. PA is behind on the times. I know some cities like Pittsburgh, state college, and well the larger ones have their own licensing. PA is in need of a overhaul. I asked my buddy that is a Jack of all trades what he charges and hour. He told me $25/hr I was like huh? This is why PA needs to have a standard license, and some kinds of enforcement. This guy calls me up asking about the code and what not. I feel like just buying him a code book. I honestly would contact the cities you work in that have a population over 50,000 and ask if you need a license, or you could just try and pull a permit and then they might ask for you license number. You should know then you need one

I tried to move to TX a few months back. I need an electrical license. It would have taken me 6 months just to take that exam after all the paper work and other junk. what a joke. Even though I have a masters license in WV they don't recognize it. I wrote a letter to the governor telling him about the bottle neck that his state has for skilled workers wanting to move to TX. I didn't get a response.

B1111

...is strict like California for licensing. It is a crime to do unlicensed work in Nevada over $500, jail time plus huge fee... It's no joke here. Every week is some sting operation and illegal contractors arrested and shown on TV. There are lot of retired people here and those illegals are mostly taking advantage of them, take advance money and later dissapear. For any advertising without license number displayed Contractors Board Enforcment will get you sooner or later, also on vehicles, uniforms etc.
You have to be Licensed, Bonded and Insured to work here, if home owner don't pay on time, simply put the lean on the property and he will pay for sure after that... It's so easy, we like it here in Nevada. (And today was 115F at my job site)

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mdshunk

I'm in PA also. In the construction trades, there isn't a state level license for much of anything, except engineering tasks. This is handled by the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs. The state level licensing boards in PA are:

State Board of Auctioneer Examiners
State Board of Barber Examiners
State Board of Chiropractic
State Board of Cosmetology
State Architects Licensure Board
State Board of Accountancy
State Board of Funeral Directors
State Board of Landscape Architects
State Board of Medicine—General Provisions
State Board of Medicine—Medical Doctors
State Board of Medicine—Practitioners Other Than Medical Doctors
State Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers and Salespersons
State Board of Nursing
State Board of Optometry
State Board of Osteopathic Medicine
State Board of Pharmacy
State Board of Podiatry
State Board of Veterinary Medicine
State Board of Dentistry
State Real Estate Commission
State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers
State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists
State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators
State Board of Physical Therapy
State Board of Psychology
State Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure Commissioner of Professional and Occupational Affairs
State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language and Hearing
State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and FamilyTherapists and Professional Counselors
State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and FamilyTherapists and Professional Counselors—Licensure of Marriage and Family Therapists
State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and FamilyTherapists and Professional Counselors—Licensure of Professional Counselors

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry does license elevator inspection companies, and they do require a "certification" (not license) for asbestos workers, lead workers, boiler inspectors, and workplace safety committee leaders.

You can legitimately say "licensed" if you're licensed to do work in any of the towns that have their own little license. There's lots of those in PA. There is nothing misleading by saying you're "licensed and insured", because you'd darn well better have insurance, and you're licensed to to the things you do when and where it's required. If nothing else, you have a driver's license

bjg5240

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thom

In NM you must have a contractors license to do just about anything. If you ever hire an employee or a sub (even just one) you must carry workmens comp also.

The state can go after you for violating that law. They rarely do. BUT, the customer has no obligation to pay an unlicensed contractor. An unlicensed contractor cannot file a lein or sue to collect.

We also collect Gross Receipts Tax (like a sales tax) I add on 7% to each and every project for tax and send that on to the state.

Dustball

This is for MN-

Who needs a license?
If you have questions about whether a license is required, contact the Department of Labor and Industry at (651) 284-5065 to discuss your activities and what type of license may be required. Unlicensed activity may result in administrative action.

All residential building contractors and residential remodelers who contract with an owner to construct or improve dwellings for habitation by one to four families (including detached garages) and perform two or more special skills must be licensed unless exempt under one of the provisions noted below. The licensing requirement also applies to any person acting as a "spec" homebuilder. The only difference between a residential building contractor and residential remodeler is a residential building contractor can build new homes and work on existing structures, whereas a remodeler can only work on existing structures.

The following are exempt from the contractor/remodeler licensing requirements:

• employees of a licensed contractor or remodeler;
• material suppliers who do not install or attach the items;
• owners doing work on their own property (unless they are engaged in building on speculation);
• architects or engineers doing work within the scope of their practice;
• people whose annual gross receipts from their residential contracting or remodeling activities are less than $15,000 (gross receipts are defined as the total amount derived from residential contracting or remodeling activities, regardless of where the activities are performed, and must not be reduced by cost of goods sold, expenses, losses or any other amount)*;
• school districts and technical colleges;
• plumbers, electricians, mechanical contractors and other professionals who are otherwise subject to statewide licensing, when engaged in the activity that is the subject of licensure;
• specialty contractors who provide only one "special skill" (except residential roofers);
• any person who only engages in activities found within one of the eight categories listed below is not required to be licensed (except residential roofers).

*Note: Any person claiming the "gross receipts" exemption must obtain a Certificate of Exemption from the Department of Labor and Industry by filing an application that requires an affidavit stating the applicant does not expect to exceed $15,000 in gross annual receipts during the calendar year for which the exemption is requested. The Certificate of Exemption must be renewed annually. If the person's gross receipts exceed $15,000 at any time during an annual exemption period, the Certificate of Exemption must be immediately surrendered and application for a license must be filed.

"Special skill" means one of the following eight categories

• 1. Excavation
• excavation
• trenching
• grading
• site grading
  2. Masonry/concrete
• drain systems
• poured walls
• slabs and poured-in-place footings
• masonry walls
• masonry fireplaces
• masonry veneer
• water resistance and waterproofing
  3. Carpentry
• rough carpentry
• finish carpentry
• doors, windows and skylights
• porches and decks (excluding concrete footings)
• wood foundations
• drywall installation (excluding taping and finishing)
  4. Interior finishing
• floor covering
• wood floors
• cabinet and countertop installation
• insulation and vapor barriers
• interior or exterior painting
• ceramic, marble and quarry tile
• wallpapering
• ornamental guardrail and installation of prefabricated stairs
  5. Exterior finishing
• siding
• soffit, fascia and trim
• exterior plaster and stucco
• painting
• rain carrying systems, including gutters and down spouts
  6. Drywall and plaster
• installation
• taping
• finishing
• interior plaster
• painting
• wallpapering
  7. Roofing
• roof coverings
• roof sheathing
• roof weatherproofing and insulation
• repair of roof support system, but not construction of new roof support system
• Roofers are required to obtain a license. Contact the Department of Labor and Industry for further information.
  8. General installation specialties
• garage doors and openers
• pools, spas and hot tubs
• fireplaces and wood stoves
• asphalt paving and seal coating
• exterior plaster and stucco
• ornamental guardrail and prefabricated stairs

Roofers: For more information regarding the specific licensing requirements for people who only engage in residential roofing activities, contact the Department of Labor and Industry at (651) 284-5065.

Siding contractors: Siding contractors who also install doors, windows or skylights must be licensed as a residential building contractor or remodeler.

Anyone who is licensed as a residential building contractor or remodeler can engage in all of the special skill categories noted above, including roofing, without obtaining a separate roofer license.