OK I'll Ask Anyway ... (remodeling Estimate)

jbfan

The reason I didn't answer your question is I'm just an electrician. All I want to know when I see other people have done something electrical , is have they done it right. If you are not going to do it right, or advise someone to do it the correct and safe way, then you should not be asking the questions.

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sawdusted

slow down a minuite, don't get excited.....the answers are all there .

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"what ever it takes"

MANTUS

Ha Ha you know that's the only answer i got that's worth a damn :-) ... I'm listening to everyone here,even if i don't agree with them. I may have another job coming up and if i can't do the electric work right i will get my cousin to do it. I agree that the work should be done right but i don't agree on always getting permits.

MANTUS

what? you lost me

Rusty Nails

No need for permits man............ Just do it.

MANTUS

no need for permits if your building a hut :Thumbs: ... go get me a 4 by 4 sheet of straw LOL

MANTUS

I don't believe a permit would be needed if i were keeping the existing structure. Am i correct. Say i were to just rip out and replace cabinets,would i need a permit? I know even minor plumbing and electric i would but didn't think i did for cabinets

housedocs

Whether or not you need permits is dependant upon where you're at. In alot of places in the country permits not only aren't needed, if you went to the courthouse and asked about buying one, they just give you a dull look and say HUH? I worked on the mayor's house in one small burb here abouts and there were no permits pulled at all, none required by any governing authority. Sad but true, however there are steps in the works to try and remedy this situatoin in the rural areas of Mo where I'm located and I think this is great, my only complaint it should have been done years ago.

All that being said, regardless of whether permits are pulled or not, if you want to get in the game and thrive and make money and get customer referrals, always, always, do all work according to nationaly recognized codes and do it just as if you were right in the middle of the city and each phase had to pass inspection. By doing this you're giving the customer a quality job and you'll be able to sleep good at night. :Thumbs: That's my .02¢

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"All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure". -Mark Twain

housedocs

In alot of the small towns we work in around here that would be true. Here in the little town I live in, no permit is required to completely remove the existing siding on a home and replace it with sheeting, fanfold and vinyl siding. But if they want 4 sq ft porch built it requires a permit. Same thing with interior work, we can completely gut a place right to the studs, rewire, new plumbing, the works, and still no permit required, but add a couple of small walls like for a bedroom closet and you need a permit. Go figure! That's why I'd like to see a uniform statewide minimum code come into effect. However many small towns don't have the resources to hire a qualified bldg inspector so who kows if this would accomplish any thing or not. Regulation does need to come to the remodeling industry in the rural areas of the country.

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"All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure". -Mark Twain

MANTUS

I live in the city so i'm sure permits are required. I have a licensed electrician and plumber if needed so i'm glad i have that covered. I am going to look at my second job tomorrow around the same area i did my 1st one. after that i'm going to talk with my friend who is a GC and i will eventually be getting and selling the cabinets from him. thanks for the info

Mike Finley

Your statement explains alot about your personal views on legal, ethical, and business matters and just plain lack of personal pride that I wouldn't even know where to start. But without going into details, if you let homeowners personalities shape your buisiness and building practices you're nothing more than a whore or a homeowner's bitch.

I wouldn't be able to do the job for any amount of money because I set my policies not homeowners. I don't work for homeowners who want to take shortcuts like that. I'm a professional and have standards and practices that I don't compromise. Besides I wouldn't risk my families financial well being over one job.

mikesewell

:Thumbs:

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Commercial construction

Sewell Construction

MANTUS

OK that's great. Now i know how you feel .... aaaaand i guess it's back to watching TV for me .. thanks a bunch PAL :Thumbs:

shopdust

At this point in your career, think like a businessman. You have a limited number of hours to sell and what will you get for them. How many hours were you in this job?
(BTW, I only use union or union trained electrical folks, the yellow pages are full of attornies who are all to happy to seperate me from what I got --- One million Liability don't really go far when a child is injured)

Rusty Nails

I know a guy just like you.

He's an idiot too..........

Here's one of thirteen 5.5 million dollar huts I'm building, Mr cash for remodling.

sawdusted

Nice hut rusty,
not one shack like it up here, I'm definitly in the wrong market area.
Dan

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"what ever it takes"

mikesewell

WOW.

There may be a good lesson here. Let me think about it for a while...

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Commercial construction

Sewell Construction

Tom R

Mantus,

I'm from Jersey, too, - - just outside of Trenton, - - most towns (individually) in Jersey each require their own local contractor/home improvement license (usually just fill out the paperwork and pay anywhere between $25 - $150/year). Best to do it legit, - - simple enough, - - why look over your shoulder? Generally the rule that would get you is that any job over $500 requires a permit. Homeowner's are allowed to do their own work if they sign off on all responsibility, - - permit still required. Best too always just get the permits, - - charge accordingly, - - and at the same time establish a 'repoire' with your local inspectors.

Be forewarned that a 'State' GC/home improvement license will be required starting Jan. 1st, 2006. You must register at least 3 or 4 months in advance to get it on time, - - or you can't do any work in NJ, - - period. I already have mine. Fill out the paperwork, - - proof of insurance, - - criminal background check, - - etc., etc., - - and $90. This will get you a NJ Contractor's registration # which must be displayed on trucks, business cards, etc.

Supposedly, this will be strongly enforced, - - $10,000 first time fine. I also heard they are 'licking their chops' to be able to confiscate your truck and tools right on the spot (I don't know if that part is true or not).

Have to go (dinner's burning), - - but I'll be glad to try to answer any questions for you later. Tom R

Teetorbilt

Tom, we've been doing this for years.

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You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

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MANTUS

best advice i got so far :-) Thanks alot man. I plan on doing everything legit because i would like this to be a career. I really appreciate the info,i will definitally be looking into that. thanks again