City ‘displaces’ five building inspectors
The city of Bakersfield has “displaced†— as opposed to laying off — five building inspectors in its Development Services Department, officials said.
Lack of work was the reason, according to City Manager Alan Tandy. The city was once issuing 500 building permits for homes per month and that’s down to 29 or so, he said.
“…craftsmanship is first & foremost an expression of the human spirit.” – P. Korn
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Surprised it's that high now; Mono county had one issued all last year. And a year from now this may look like the good times.
Here, in the small market I work in, we went from about 60 permits in 2007 to maybe 6 in 2008. They have cut some inspectors in response.For years I have been a "trade specialist," (trim carpenter) and have not needed a license under MN law (though I took and passed the test). It has been nice to not have to pay an annual fee to be in business. During the last 6 months, I have turned back into a remodeling contractor and handyman. Now I'm doing demo, hanging drywall, and keeping stain & finish work that would have gone to the painter. Staying busy so far. Have been taking the work that requires a license (outside of my trade specialty) under another GC, so he gets a cut.Now I need to hit the books and take that test again and pay for a GC license. More fees and making less $. No more whining... I have a commercial job, trimming two foyers, very active office building so I think I'll go get it done this weekend (far less traffic). Was hoping it might warm up some before I go unhook the trailer and load some tools in the van, but it is still -8*F... oops, that sounds like more whining... but I'm working inside, so life is more gooder.I'm off... and I'm leaving too. ;o)
You admit that you are working without a proper license. Since when do contractors get to "rent" their licenses to unlicensed persons? There have been numerous cases where laws were declared unconstitutional because the legislation allowed unlicensed persons to work if some other person obtained a license. Perhaps we should apply such principles to the medical profession. If one person goes to medical school and obtains a license as an M.D. then other persons who did not go to medical school could work under his license. They would "rent" the license by giving the licensed guy a cut.
I don't rent the license. I pass those jobs on to the GC, it is his job, he pulls the permit, and I sub the carpentry under him. He knows I will keep passing work his way, even after I get my license. All I really want to do is the trim carpentry. I've worked for this guy for years.This economy has suddenly changed the game, but I always play by the rules.
I don't think it so cut and dry.
When I go to the Dr or dentist a lot of the work is done by people under him.
He floats from patient to patient just to show up and comment on what his staff is doing.
It's just not that cut and dry.
Hey pop, thats a pretty good analogy! Never thought of it that way.
I remember my first dentist. He was a friend of my dads so the family got a discount.
He spent a lot of time personally fixing my cavities. I do prefer when a dentist, Dr, or even a contractor, does his own work.
But times are a changing.
The thing I notice most when I go to a new Dr is if his staff is good. I barely see the Dr. and usually they are in a big hurry.
I really dislike nurses with a lousy attitude. You can tell right off if they care about their work or people.
Maybe nurses are like employees under a general contractor.
The customer notices their attitude more than if they are good at their work.
Welcome to the real world, sonny. On the flip side, can you believe that some people actually whant you to remodel their house without a permit?
get a life....
p
There may not be one available.
Here is the funny part of how I'm doing business now... the GC is actually a plumber. He is one of the best around and got his GC license so when customers come to him with plumbing work, that involves remodeling, he can run the whole show.The plumber has me do his carpentry on his jobs, and when I send him a job, I know I'll get all the carpentry... unlike sending jobs to most GC's, who are carpenters.Soon enough, I'll get my own license, but until then, I'm happy being a sub.
My city just eliminated its' entire building department( city of about 200,000)
city wanted to fire the head of the building department along with 2-3 inspectors because of numerous complaints from irate citezenry----law suits back and forth between the inspectors and the city they worked for
so our mayor responded by eliminating the entire department----subbed the work out to the county and cut a deal with the county to hire the 15 or so clerical workers the city formerly employed in the dept.
so long troublemakers!
I know you gotta expect some complaints about a cities building inspectors--- but when things are so bad they eliminate the department to get rid of the guys.....? LOL
stephen
Our County went from 180 in the buidling department down to 76 and are going to cut again real soon. Permits are at an all time low so there is nothing to do for anyone there.