Greetings fellow pros,
Here in Connecticut, contractors are required to pay $160.00 annually to the state for the ability to legally act as a “Home Improvement” contractor. You give them the money and they give you a six digit number, there’s no testing involved. If you want to build a house or do ANYTHING what so ever to a new home then you are required to pay $600.00 to the state to legally act as a “New Home Construction” contractor (kind a weird), and again, there’s no testing involved.
A lot of people will ask me “are you licensed”, which would imply that I had to study for something and take a test, but it’s really just a registration number. All I did was buy it. This doesn’t leave me much to be proud of. And also, what does that say about my level of knowledge verses another guys level of knowledge who might talk like “deese”
Are there other states that have this system or something similar and what are their fees?
Replies
That's even more stringent than Illinois. Only roofers and plumbers need to be licensed here. Electricians need to be licensed on a local level.
There are no requirements in IL (as far as I know) to be a contractor. If you have a business under a different name (DBA) it has to be registered, and there's your business license.
Most local levels that I know of have laws that say you have to be licensed. Go to Village Hall with proof of insurance, your business license (if needed), and pay $50-$100 per trade, and you are now officially licensed. How this protects consumers to ensure they are getting qualified contractors is my big question. I think it's more of a tax than anything else. Also, the Villiage covering their butts since they have to be listed as the insurance cert. holder.
Pete Duffy, Handyman
"There are no requirements in IL to be a contractor. "
Sure there are.
To be a contractor you have to have a pickup truck. The SERIOUS contractors have dually pickups.
(-:
Why are you "in" a movie, but you're "on" TV?
My "contractor" said all that was required to be a GC was a pick-up truck and a coffee cup!!!!
Dick
And the best serious have dually's with no spark plugs!Stu
Hey StewartJust want you to know.. I know who you are..and we are still weeks away from needing a quote in Stockbridge. I will call you.Ciao
Arthurhttp://www.thesmallbuildingcompany.com
Don't you need a pickup, a skilsaw, a 4 foot level, and a dog?? What kind of place are you running there?
Here in Washington you send some money to the state to "register", along with a $6000 bond and proof of liability insurance. Simultaneously you sign up for a sales tax account so you can buy materials tax free and charge sales tax on your jobs. There's no test to pass or skills to prove... your ability to get insurance is the only screen (it's not easy to get insurance if you've never had it before).
"Don't you need a pickup, a skilsaw, a 4 foot level, and a dog?? What kind of place are you running there?"No, this is about being a contractor not a carpenter.A contractor just needs a cellphone and pen to sign up the sub's..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Don't forget the required trip to HomeDepot for your carpenter's belt.
In Michigan,
There is an exam that you have to pass in order to become licensed. It has a bus/legal portion and a trades portion.
Although not rocket science, it is very wide ranging in it's variety of questions and requires a weeks worth of studying at the least to pass it.
Total fees are about $200 or so to take the test and to apply for your license.
In MI, any job over $600 is illegal unless you are licensed.
JT
In Missouri, you have to tell the client "I'm a contractor."
SamT
Anyone who doesn't take truth seriously in small matters cannot be trusted in large ones either. [Einstein] Tks, BossHogg.
Ohio well license for pump installer is $140 after you buy a $100 performence bond.
County plumbing license is $100 locally, each county varies they also let you buy another bond first.
Talked to electrical and plumbing contractor last year that works several countys he had to spend almost $5,000 for his annual funny papers.
Maryland - there is a test for home improvement, but its all contract law, not code issues. You have to prove insurance, financial solvency, and the fee goes into a fund to reimburse ripped off consumers.
New homes require a home builder license - no test, just send the $$ and prove you have insurance.
Electric, plumbing, hvac, forget it - years of apprenticeship to get into the club.
My brother is a GC here in MASS. He went to do a job in RI and the licence reqt there is $50 if I recall.
In NH, the only trades that are required to be "licensed" are electrical and plumbing. I think water well drillers and asbestos abatement contractors may also need to be licensed. However, efforts are currently underway to require licensing for home builders and/or GCs. NH has tried to pass legislation on this in the past, but it's failed a number of times. Maybe not this time. Seems like CT (and a lot of other states as well) is more interested in the revenue generated from the various registration fees than in protecting the public. As for the general public, most probably don't recognize there's a difference between "registered" and "licensed". Maybe a good subject for FHB future article.
In NC to get a General Contractor's License from the State Licensing Board you need.
Financials - showing 17,000 working capital for the lowest level of GC
References - 3
Exam - 4 hours long covering everything from code to construction to law
Let's not confuse the issue with facts!
Is the test now 4 hrs? When I took it 10 yrs ago, it was 5 hrs.
Must be where Texas got it's system from. Submit an application with $200 or $240. Demonstrate that you are not a convicted felon and you are registered with the state to build houses.
Just in the middle of getting my license here in Oregon.
16 hour, state mandated study course - $150exam covering said study course - $106License Fee - $240Register Company name - $50Local Business Lic. - $50$15K bond - $200$1Million Liability - $1680So for just under $2,500.00 you can become a licensed GC in Oregon (not including truck and coffee).kh
Where are you and who is your agent?
My bond - 190$ and my 1 mil liability is about 750$.
I started out last year. My farmer's agent sold me CBIC's policy.
Check it out--Seems like a good deal.
It seems FL has some pretty tough laws reading a post by Ralph Wicklund somewhere. Compare them all with what we have to go through.
http://www.bsa.qld.gov.au/Home/
Anyone can check your work history over the net at any time ( even up to how many contracts you have in place and your turnover)
For a contractor to work in their field ( this is not house building)
1. Full 4 year apprenticeship or Skills assesment in the trade
2. If your turnover is going to be less than $300,000 you must must declare to the Authority you have $18,000 Net Tangible Assets (NTA
3. If your turnover is going to be more than $300,000 , you have to have your Accountant verify your assetts and have a Liquidity ratio of not less than 0.8:1
4. You can only carry out work in your license class
5. Any work you carry out above $3,300 in value must have a contract in place and compulsory insurance.
6. All work you carry out is warranted by you for 6 years. That means if at 5 years and 11 months you get a call back, you get to fix it at your cost, and here's the kicker, the 6 year warranty on that item starts again!
If you want to build houses ( basic builders license and there are 3 classes) you need all the above plus
1. Two to four years suitable practical and supervisory experience in the building industry. ( aside from your apprenticeship) Any referees must be able to confirm this supervisory experience in writing.
2.successful completion of the following modules from
Certificate IV in Building CNBUI012-
( this will take you around 2 years night school to complete)
Feeling insecure?
It's not the license that shows what you know, hopefully.
"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd."
~ Voltaire
NOT SO LOUD! We have it easy compared with other states. $167.50 Or $600. I hope one of our 'Tax you to death' legislators doesn't't't read your post. It's bad enough that if you can afford to live in Bridgeport or Hartford that you could live in Honolulu for less because of the taxes here.
Best to you and yours, Chris.
Some say I know too much? Can you ever?