Michigan Builders License

Michaeljp86

Im planning on trying to get my michigan builders license soon and I was wondering if anyone here has taken it and could tell me a little about it. I bought a study guide for it and been going through it. Im already rereading my study guide and maybe the beginning of june taking the test. I was just wondering about the exam, is it a peice of cake to pass it? Or is it a pain in the butt? From what I read you take 2 test, one on business and law and the other is practice and trade or something like that.

doubleaction

As long as you have a clue about construction the skills part is easy, The business part it a little harder. I'm 22 and been in the trades for 4-5 years and i got my builders licence last year. But I have been involved in the business part of the company for 2 years and that helped a ton.

Michaeljp86

Did you buy a study guide before you took the exam? Im 21 now and have been working on houses, and building since I can remember helping my dad. I also watch this old house and home time alot. Reading the study guide I knew alot of it except some of the concrete work for foundations and the pitch on a roof was about the only thing I didnt know. The business and law part for the most part is new to me so Im kind of worried about that test.

doubleaction

I took the class and studied for about a week. About half the skills test is concrete and foundation based. I went in expecting it was going to be a lot harder then it was. If you study you should be fine.

Chippewabuilt

i I teach for the builders test at my offices. the workbook you have what one is it? If you been working in the trades for awhile you should have no problem. the one part i recomend to study is the law part every body has a hard time here. i took the test 15 years ago and got 99% andthey dont tell you what question you have gotten wrong.
just make sure you are over 75% is passing.

RYANINMICHIGAN

I bought the study material took the practice tests passed both in the 90s said screw it, went and took it and passed no prob.

Michaeljp86

This is the place I bought my study guide from. I went through it once and Im on my second time. Im planning on mailing in the form to take the test next week or the week after depending on how much I study this week. michigan-builders-license-test Add a www and .com

Mr. D

piece of cake. i wish they would make it harder. seems like everyone and their brother has a license in this state.

Michaeljp86

There is alot of people with the license and from what I see they are all making money. I heard they are going to make it hard to get thats why Im trying to get mine.

Michaeljp86

http://www.michigan-builders-license...om/course.html

This is the place I ordered my study guide from.

Cdat

I second this. With this stuff, anyone can pass the test. A good thing? No, most likely not but with this info, ANYONE could take and pass the test.

firemike

I third it. I took my test 20+ years ago, basically if you had any common sense at all you could pass it without really studying.

I have a couple of kitchen designers I work with that took a $100 one day prep course and passed the test a couple years ago with no problem. Both women have never built anything, worked in the trade other than designing kitchens and baths, and when you talk to them about framing and construction techniques that apply to a particular job your working on with them, they have no idea what you're talking about, but clients are impressed because they have their builders license hanging on the office wall.

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-Mike-

Michaeljp86

I alsmost didnt buy the study guide but I was worried about the business part of the test. And with teh way gas prices are if I failed the first time I would have spend just as much money to drive up there twice as what this study guide cost.

Frankawitz

I took the test(1998) with my neighbor he came over one day and says"Why don't we go take the builder's test and become somebody?" I said I am somebody and I don't need the Goverment to find another way into my pocket. But we ended up take some class that he found it cost us $175.00 for two weeks three nights a week for two hours gave us all our books on business and law and contruction practices. we took the test we both passed, but when I sent my app in they sent me back a letter telling I would not receive my license and that was it. I called Lansing and talked to a Mr. Brown and I asked him why I didn't get my License and he asked if I didn't miss something on my app. I said I don't think I did. then he says maybe you have a Felony on your record, I told him yeah that was 23 years ago, I said you people still hold that against me? so I told him to take his License and stick up his ass. But the way it's going in this State there aint going to be anything left by the time Grandhole gets done.

firemike

I totally agree with you Frank! Who cares what happened when, it should be dealt with on case-by-case basis. What ever happened to giving a person a second chance.

Actually, I believe that the State of Michigan ought to be convicted of a felony for giving some of the people a buliders license that they give them to.

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-Mike-

Michaeljp86

I never did anything wrong before so I think Im OK. I got take my exam this tuesday. I know the state goes way over bored on alot of things. I know a guy who tried to get his ccw and he was arrested once when he was 16 and that was enough no not get his permit and he is almost 50.

bocon

make that, everyone and their brother and real estate agent. Those people are something else. Can't tell a home buyer why one home is different from the next (except that the cabinets are prettier), but most will quickly let you know that they are also a licensed builder in the beautiful state of Michigan! It is entirely too easy to get a license in this state. Anyway, good luck to anyone trying to better themselves.

Michaeljp86

I never knew some real estate agents had builders license. That was my million dollar idea . Oh well, the exam wasnt that hard but those safty questions sunk me the first try and almost got me the 2nd time around.

bocon

sure they do. They also call themselves developers and make northern michigan, look just like the sprawl to the south (look at traverse city if you dont believe.). Oh well, that's progress for ya!

Michaeljp86

I can understand, there was farmland here before. Now its like a big town, what farm land is around has a big house right in the middle of it.