Additional licensing - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Milhaus · 10-22-2007, 10:16 PM

Any of you guys licensed both as a builder,contractor, ect., and as an electrician or plumber?

I've done quite a bit of basic electrical work on my own home and understand it. Although I have a long way to go to understanding how some of this stuff gets wired and WORKS! Still I think licensing is attainable. It would allow me to keep one more aspect of small remodels in house...pros and cons?

Milhaus · 10-26-2007, 12:22 AM

No one has anything to say? No jokes. No nothing?

Chris Johnson · 10-26-2007, 12:32 AM

The more trades/qualifications you put under your belt the better, but you can only know so much. I think most would agree that residential electrical and plumbing is pretty straight forward, get into high rise, commercial/industrial, hospitals, etc and your playing with needing some serious qualified education.

Getting your ticket is one thing, knowing how to use it is another. back in the early 90's I got my ticket for Terrazzo Tile and Marble, to this day I have not even touch Terrazzo, I got a Journeymans Ticket for it but I promise I will never bid one.

Vabuilder · 10-26-2007, 06:48 AM

I am a class "A" building contractor and also have my "Master Plumbers" liscense because I have enough experiance and knowledge to have both. I would be carefull getting your electrical without the knowledge to use it, if you get the liscense you will be tempted to use it at some point and without the knowledge you could end up in an insurance nightmare.

I'm not sure where your at but in my state (VA) you have to have the appropriate amount of experiance to get your liscense.

Milhaus · 10-26-2007, 06:52 AM

The insurance aspect of it is definitely one to consider. I've run into some seriously questionable wiring situations and I'd hate to run into them on someone else's house. I'd need plenty of knowledge before I could be really comfortable at someone else's house. Thanks,

Mark

thom · 10-26-2007, 10:55 AM

I've got them all. General, electrical, mechanical. I enjoy learning new things. Got an AA, then a BA then an MBA, then started construction and kept learning. Read a lot, take classes, hire guys to do the job and teach me, it never ends.

My personal life is no different. Learned windsurfing, did it until I was proficient, learned scuba diving, got good at it, learned underwater photography and getting pretty good at it, got a hot air balloon then my private pilot balloon license, currently working on my commercial pilot balloon license.

Learning is fun.

aceflooring · 10-26-2007, 05:19 PM

The biggest problem you'll probably face is after the 2yrs of schooling then you'll still be required two as an aprintest to be come journyman then two years of on the job experience before you and apply to take the test for a master A electrician license.

Milhaus · 10-27-2007, 12:59 AM

Although I haven't checked on what is required here, from the licensing required for my general, I was pleasantly surprised that there wasn't an apprenticeship required. I have since thought long and hard about an apprenticeship and the experience that it brings. I think it should be required for every trade. It would certainly bring back credibility to the construction industry. I know, easy for me to say now, but it is what it is. Now that i am up against guys that do not 'play by the rules', and I understand a completely different side to business.

Mark

aceflooring · 10-27-2007, 10:34 AM

I really do agree. But I really did want an electrician license. I didn't check into what it really took, I just though you take a 6 hr. test. That's how the schools made it sound. Cool, I can do that. Went to school I know the N.E.C. forward and backward, got out off school, tried to get a license. Nope, had to have a master A electrician sign off that I have worked in the field a min. of 2 yrs. Well, I don't know any electricians so I called to see if any electrician needed an apprentic and explained I have have all my schooling. They said sign up for an apprintice program. So I check into those 5yr programs 2yrs school- ahg Now I have pretty much just given up. Over the years I have rewired three of my own homes, I know I could take the test and pass, and I am not a hack. But without knowing someone just no good.