Licensed VS. Unlicensed

jgjrei

in our state you do pay $200 or so but you also take the tests for both business and your appropriate job proficiency (painting) as well as the obvious requirement for I think 4 years of experience and the $10,000 bond requirement. BTW Im only reffering to the contractors license not the insurance all else.

farrellpainting

Slinger, I have never heard of a painting license in N.Y.?

I registered my business (DBA) with my EIN I get Ins. through the state fund,biz accounts @ BOA, and I can get WC through paychex.

I'm not sayin that your wrong I just have never heard anything about a painting license?Do you or anyone else know how I get one in N.Y. if there is one anyway?I'm pretty sure that when I read the info from the state when I registered, that the only thing that I could get a license for was lead abatement?

Joewho

Isn't that FEIN? Federal Employers Identification Number. It's required to pay or collect tax money. Unless something has changed, you can still start a legitimate business, by yourself (no employees) and use your SS in the FEIN box. Same for getting insurance.

You have to have it in every state because it's Federal. Not all states require a business license per se.

What about sole ownership? Partnerships, Incs.?
I do not want an LLC. There's other ways to do business without the LLC designation. When I see a company with LLC at the end, it tells me their liability to me is limited. If I use someone for something, I want them to take full responsibility. Most of the designations were intended for large business'. However, it is beneficial to a painting contractor to be able to incorporate. At least it's my limited understanding. I might not have the whole picture.

Not razzin you, just trying to get all the options out there.

Seeing as I'm not anyone right now, I'm a little bummed about being outcast from being legitmate. And never will be in Nevada's eyes. However, as long as I have insurance, pay my taxes and don't rip people off, no one can tell me I'm not legitimate. Especially Nevada.

It's my (go against the system) opinion that it's unconstituional for Nv to tell me I can't enter into a legally binding contract. As a matter of fact, they fine for it, but a contract is still a binding contract. Has the US changed so much that a guy can't put on his pants, go out into the world and make himself a living? We still live under the constitution and somewhere in there is a latin phrase (caveat emptor)that translates to "buyer beware". Is that not valid any more? Is it even in the constitution? Or somewhere else? Edit: no wonder i know that phrase, it was originated in real estate.

It all comes down to some people undercutting other honest people who don't cut corners. That's the difference, I think.

KellyPainting

So, have we determined that there is or is not a "painting license" ?

here is the requirements for a mass license:

Home Improvement Contractor's Licenses (Mass)

If you work on existing residential structures that are one- to four-unit owner-occupied buildings, you also need to register with the state. To do this, contact the State Board of Building Regulations and Standards and ask for an application to register as a Home Improvement Contractor or Subcontractor. There's no exam connected with this registration.

Home Improvement Contractor's registration will cost you $100. But you may not have register if you have a Construction Supervisor license in Massachusetts.

There's also a Guaranty Fund that you may have to contribute to the first time you register. The amount you need to contribute will depend on how many employees your company has:
Number of employees Required fund contribution
0 - 3 $100
4 - 10 $200
1 - 30 $300
More than 30 $500

Joewho

http://www.nvcontractorsboard.com/Co...20Document.pdf

lmcgrew79

In the state of WV a contractors license is required for any contractor to do work in the state. The idea is that if you can't pass a test of general business knowledge the state assumes you probably shouldnt be in business. Which I believe is a good idea. Any contractor operating without insurance, WC and licensing are we call fly by nighters, and possilby could be around for a long time, but doing work most of us dont want anyways. And by the way, Joewho a limited liablity company hence the llc gives the owner not the customer limited liabilities in the event of being personally sued for actions of the business. Which is what your insurance covers. I dont think you would want them taking your house. Which is one reason we create a business in the first place. Its actually more of a tax structure than anything in which allows "sole propreitors" and or "partnerships", limited liabilites of the a company, just like a corporation, without the company being its own entity for tax purposes. So is a llc much better than just a sole proprietorship? That answer is yes. Is an llc better than a corp? To me that depends on how your business is structured tax wise. Legally a corporation is much harder to run legit than and llc because of the "month meetings" of the president, vice president, secretary, and treasure, which often dont happen, and the fact that a corporation is its own entity just like you are your own entity, and taking money directly from the entity without the form of a paycheck is actually call stealing. So read up and make your decisions wise. Sorry for the long post.

Brushslingers

Banks do to open a business account, Insurance companies do for WC, States do for local taxes and exempt where applicable. If you get caught on a worksite here in Florida for instance, without WC or exempt of, it's 1500 per person and a stop work order is issued. May not be fair to some but... it's the way. Yes you can get an fein with your SS, but it stops there without a license and a company. We actually have a cert here, but it's a simple 25.00 a year "yes I paint" cert.

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Benn

MakDeco

After reading this thread and posting it to I went to the website and call the state of IL and ask about a license, I start business 15 yrs ago so maybe something has changed Still no license required for painters in IL.

I have had my business bank account thru Bank One (Now Chase) since April of 1992, WC thru my insurance carrier, I have a EIN number I use for taxes, so I am legit or not? In IL I guess I am.

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MAK Deco

Brushslingers

Are you paying your county/city each year for the little cert that is supposed to hang on your wall that says business registration certificate? If not, you really aren't a business, and aren't legit no matter what you think otherwise. Some states require different things, but ALL require you to register a business to do business.... even overseas. I am pretty sure most people on this thread are talking about a specific "painting" cert... which most states don't have... but all have a business license.

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Benn

RCPainting

Utah Requirements for Painting Contractor License
50 question Legal test
40 question Trade test
Insurance
FEIN
2 years W2 to show experience
$105 to Lein recovery fund
$ 200 application fee
Workmans Comp
Affadavit claiming no bankruptcy or convictions.
8 hours cont.ed every year.

Job sites are inspected regulaly. State website allows anyone to verify a license and see citations.
City and county business license as well.

Every GC requires copies of insurance, license and workman comp.
Not too many hacks here!

Frankawitz

Here in Michigan they have a license for painting you have to take test, have ins. and WC if you have employees, But they also say you can do painting as long as the price doesn't go over $600.00 per job. As for plaster and drywall trades there is no license, but for everything else there is. You can take tests for each trade you do or you can take the builders test and do eveything but Electrical and Plumbing, HVAC, these are separate license you need to take tests in each of these trades.
The only thing here is if you do a job and the people don't pay you then if you take them to court the judge will only award $600.00 to you. But that is why we see so many auto workers get laid off and they jump right into painting, drywall, plastering, and they fly under the the laws. but we have these TV reporters getting involed lately and they are putting these rip off artist on TV so everyone can see them. the only thing here is that when these guys get busted for ripping some one off they change the name of business and they start right back up. The State of Michigan just looks the other way, this has gone on for years here. And from what I have read it aint gonna change.

MakDeco

If you wish to think I am not legit, go right ahead. but after 15 years if theres some agency here in IL that wishes to tell me I am doing it wrong I will make it right.

I have talked to many of the towns I have work in (at homeonwers request) and there is no license / bonding required to do residential re paints, certainly if I were to do a large commecial job I would expect to file some type of paper work with that village to met there bonding requirements.

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MAK Deco

KellyPainting

So you've been in business for 15 years.... have your insurances and pay taxes....... and some agency that wants more money out of you wants to call you non-legit...well I say.....



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farrellpainting

N.Y. could use a course from Utah!

It's good to hear that at least one state in this country has their s**t straight!

Brushslingers

Mak.... hit this www.chicityclerk.com/licenses/business.html

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Benn

MakDeco

No listing for paint contractors, and that is for people who would have a address in the city limits. I have not lived in the city since I was 17. Wouldn't go back either

Closest I saw on the page was this:
Home Repair
License Information

A Home Repair License is required for any business that offers to fix, alter, convert, or improve any 1-6 unit residential property.
Fee: $250
Municipal Code Reference: 4-204
Inspections: Zoning

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MAK Deco

THINKPAINTING

Bob's discount furniture......I hate those commericals

Brushslingers

What do you think painting is?

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Benn

MakDeco

I suppose you can consider it improving? altering I suppose, re paints are using by choice more or less. I can see exteriors to maintain siding for sure. Any ways doesn't apply to me I am not in Chicago... My little town of 5k people doesn't require a cert. for me to hang on the wall.. just another way for big brother to collect more taxes...

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MAK Deco

Brushslingers

As you wish, I do hope that big brother doesn't find you then. If you do not have a business lisence however, you are not a business... glad you made it 15 yrs.

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Benn