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Licensed Contractor vs Not Licensed

November 16, 2024 05:58PM
I have had a handyman do work for me that technically a licensed professional should have done - replacing a wall switch and some lights comes to mind - but that was minor work, and I trusted that he knew what he was doing. I probably wouldn’t trust an unlicensed person to do structural and roofing work.

Before you go into a complete panic, find out from them if they’re licensed. Ask for their license number and look it up. If they say they aren’t, then my question to them would be, “Why not?”

If your path dictates you walk through hell, do it as though you own the place. -unknown
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November 16, 2024 06:00PM
Generally, I go to a Bricks and Mortar business. They do the work or hire the contractors.
I trust ¯?\?_?(???)?_?/?¯
that they know the licencing needs and have Workers Comp, etc.
My brother is in the trades and this is what he advised me to do since I am not very knowledgeable.
I'm not in the states so not knowledgeable at all about it.

Sounds like you've found a decent company.¯?\?_?(???)?_?/?¯

I have no suggestion.

When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.
Alexander Den Heijer
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November 19, 2024 02:41AM
Glad you're finally getting this taken care of, honey. It'll be a huge thing to cross out on your to-do list.

If your path dictates you walk through hell, do it as though you own the place. -unknown
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November 19, 2024 03:47AM
ServiceAward, If you feel the contractor is being upfront with you and your gut instinct tells you to proceed, then do so. However, I have watched enough HGTV to know unpermitted work often comes back to bite people. I have read several times that it is wise to verify on your own the current status of a contractor's insurance and license. That means you ask for the name and policy number of the insurance company and call yourself to verify the policy. What if he once had insurance and let the policy lapse? He could still have the paperwork but it would be worthless. I would request he provide the name and polity number of the insurance company. Call your city or county permit office and find out exactly what permits you are legally obliguated to get. I do not believe the answer is based on the cost of the job, but the complexity of the work. Ask the truss company if they require permits be pulled.
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November 19, 2024 10:22PM
ServiceAward, it sounds like you're doing everything right. The thing I would caution you to be aware of if they subcontract the job out.

With the electrical, most municipalites want a licensed electrician to at least bid the job. Doesnt mean they will be doing the work. In my experience electrical needs a permit unless, as mentioned above, it's installing a new switch or outlet inside where nobody sees. But not a complete rewire of your garage.

IMHO, if the contractor was shady and knew how to do it, he would have accepted the rewire no permit and go for it. This guy seems genuinely concerned about loosing his contractor license. Just my opinion.

If you live where hurricane ties are needed you might ask how much of an add on it would be to add to the other joists. Or if its exposed rafters to the walls DIY. if its between the rafters and the sheething, nevermind I brought it up
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