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SpiceGirl
Dream big
Member since 1/06 2486 total posts
Name:
j
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Unlicensed contractors
Would or have you used unlicensed contractors to do work in your home?
I'm having a room in my home gutted, re-sheetrocked, and tiled.
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Posted 2/13/09 10:23 PM  |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name:
Baby Momma
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
we used an unlicensed contrator for my deck last year. I was concerned my husband was not. It was a total disaster...total...we had no recourse...and now I get to tell my hubby for the rest of his life that I was right about the "deck guy."
I strongly urge you to go through a licensed contractor.
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| Posted 2/13/09 10:50 PM |
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KLSbear
LIF Adult
Member since 1/06 1908 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
I wouldn't - not worth the risk. I'd make sure they are insured too.
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| Posted 2/13/09 11:11 PM |
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MommyofG
just the girls
Member since 5/05 9461 total posts
Name:
Janice
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
totally make sure you have a licensed contractor. and insured!
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| Posted 2/13/09 11:15 PM |
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babymakes3
Almost there!
Member since 7/06 7376 total posts
Name:
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
I wouldn't. I have heard stories of homeowners getting sued by "contractors" from being hurt on their property.
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| Posted 2/13/09 11:38 PM |
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ave1024
I Took The Wrong Road
Member since 12/07 6153 total posts
Name:
That Led To The Wrong Tendencies
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
I have and I will continue to do so. More like "handymen" than contractors.
Most people I hire are handymen just looking for some side work that I have do random odds and ends like basic plumbing, fixture replacements, siding issues, windows, etc.
If I was doing a big job, i'd get a licenced & insured contractor.
But realize this, I have had plenty of unlicenced handymen in my house. The one guy that was actually "licenced and insured" that I hired to do a big job did the WORST job of all of them.
I already took him to court once and was getting a monthly settlement. But he didn't pay me for this month and it looks like I will back at Lindenhurst second district court on Tuesday to sue his azz again.
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| Posted 2/14/09 1:31 AM |
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hanna7636
LIF Adult
Member since 8/06 921 total posts
Name:
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
I would not. We used a handyman who had done minor work to our house. When he did the bathroom it was horrible and had to be redone.
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| Posted 2/14/09 6:55 AM |
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BabyBoy
is Skylar Elizabeth
Member since 5/05 4189 total posts
Name:
Tom
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
just because you have an unlicensed contractor doesn't mean you get a crappy job. that is the person and sad that just because they aren't licensed means you are gonna get less quality.
my dad i personally think is a great unlicensed contractor as he has worked in the filed for 30 years. heck, he built a 3000 sq ft house house which was the worse on the house to the best in Centerport.
Watch who you hired and make sure the references check out. Most of the time, unlicensed people come from friends and family as they how they do business.
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| Posted 2/14/09 8:28 AM |
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sunnyplus3
:)
Member since 11/05 8749 total posts
Name:
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
As someone that has had a home improvement license for years, I do not think anything other than very minor repairs or cosmetic work should be done by someone unlicensed.
Liability insurance that a lic contractor carries covers you if a weight bearing wall is removed & your house collapses or sags(this happens all the time) your homeowners insurance will tell you to go scratch.
Workers comp protects you if a worker cuts a finger off or falls off a ladder(also happens ALL the time) your homeowners will tell you to go scratch.
Permits are always the resposibilty of the homeowner & some towns fine homeowners for doing work without them. Some towns also look for work being done without proper permits & put a "stop work order" on the job until you get a permit.
To me its no different than going to a hairdresser, doctor or lawyer without a license to practice their profession.
Also if you get screwed by a "private person" its much harder to get resolution in court.
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| Posted 2/14/09 8:37 AM |
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babyfaith
Onward and Upward!
Member since 2/08 3210 total posts
Name:
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
We used a friend that is unlicensed to sheetrock and the results are fine.
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| Posted 2/14/09 11:35 AM |
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MrsD06
LIF Toddler
Member since 9/07 478 total posts
Name:
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
edited to remove double post
Message edited 2/14/2009 1:08:01 PM.
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| Posted 2/14/09 1:06 PM |
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MrsD06
LIF Toddler
Member since 9/07 478 total posts
Name:
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
I agree with others that say the quality of work is not necessarily tied to licensed status, it is more the protection and insurance issues. And ITA that it depends on what you're having done. Most of the people I know that do painting, sheetrock, etc. are not licensed. They do excellent work and I would use them in a heartbeat. Why? Because I know there work, have seen it in homes of many people I know, they do quality work and will come back and correct it if problems arise. Now, if we needed major plumbing or electrical work, I would want someone that was licensed.
You should also be aware that if you use a contractor for a large job and they sub out the smaller jobs to other people, the guys who do those smaller jobs (painting, etc.) may not be licensed.
Message edited 2/14/2009 1:07:16 PM.
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| Posted 2/14/09 1:06 PM |
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LemonHead
Sour Girl
Member since 3/08 5271 total posts
Name:
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
As the wife of a liscenced and insured contractor, I see everything he goes through to make sure his paperwork is up to date. My husband pays taxes on everything, has a payroll prepared by an accountant, etc.
It costs a lot of money to be liscensed and insured- and it is as much for the contractor's protection as it is the customer's protection. A legally binding contract protects both parties in case something goes wrong on either end. God forbid something goes awry -on a job with an unliscensed contractor, you'd have no legal recourse.
If someone is serious about being a contractor for a living, they should take it seriously and file their paperwork, take out an insurance policy, get an accountant, etc. It's a business and should be treated like one behind the scenes.
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| Posted 2/14/09 3:05 PM |
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KPtoys
I'm getting old
Member since 5/05 8688 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
Im scratching my head. You can be fully insured with liability and comp, pay all your taxes, be an honest hardworking contractor and NOT be licensed. The county license "allows" people to work. You pay the county $200 to apply for the test then another $500 to take the test. I would totally hire someone who has insurance in force and came with a great recommendation without a license.
Message edited 2/14/2009 6:02:22 PM.
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| Posted 2/14/09 6:00 PM |
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LemonHead
Sour Girl
Member since 3/08 5271 total posts
Name:
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
Posted by KPtoys
Im scratching my head. You can be fully insured with liability and comp, pay all your taxes, be an honest hardworking contractor and NOT be licensed. The county license "allows" people to work. You pay the county $200 to apply for the test then another $500 to take the test. I would totally hire someone who has insurance in force and came with a great recommendation without a license.
I'm scratching my head about your comment. How could you be an HONEST contractor if you are breaking the law by not having a license?
The reason that it "allows" people to work is because it's LEGAL. It's illegal to do work in Nassau and Suffolk County without a license. If an unlicensed contractor is caught by the county working on your house, they have the power to shut down the job, impound the truck and all their tools. (Nassau is especially relentless on this matter.)Good luck getting the job finished in a timely manner if that happens.
If they are that reliable and trustworthy, why wouldn't they have a lisence? Nassau and Suffolk County consumer affairs acts as a mediator for BOTH parties. It is in the contractor's best interest to have a license. If a contractor is smart enough to have taken out an insurance policy for his business, you can bet he's got a license too. It's the LAW. I don't know about you- I'd rather have someone in my home who follows ALL the laws, not just the ones he decides are important enough to follow.
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| Posted 2/14/09 6:51 PM |
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KPtoys
I'm getting old
Member since 5/05 8688 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
Posted by faithann
Posted by KPtoys
Im scratching my head. You can be fully insured with liability and comp, pay all your taxes, be an honest hardworking contractor and NOT be licensed. The county license "allows" people to work. You pay the county $200 to apply for the test then another $500 to take the test. I would totally hire someone who has insurance in force and came with a great recommendation without a license.
I'm scratching my head about your comment. How could you be an HONEST contractor if you are breaking the law by not having a license?
The reason that it "allows" people to work is because it's LEGAL. It's illegal to do work in Nassau and Suffolk County without a license. If an unlicensed contractor is caught by the county working on your house, they have the power to shut down the job, impound the truck and all their tools. (Nassau is especially relentless on this matter.)Good luck getting the job finished in a timely manner if that happens.
If they are that reliable and trustworthy, why wouldn't they have a lisence? Nassau and Suffolk County consumer affairs acts as a mediator for BOTH parties. It is in the contractor's best interest to have a license. If a contractor is smart enough to have taken out an insurance policy for his business, you can bet he's got a license too. It's the LAW. I don't know about you- I'd rather have someone in my home who follows ALL the laws, not just the ones he decides are important enough to follow.
Because it's all about money for the county. Have you actually seen the test. I am sure your husband has told you about the 24 or so true/false multiple choice questions on it. I agree that people SHOULD follow all the laws but I don't have an issue with someone not having a license if they have insurance and good references.
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| Posted 2/14/09 7:01 PM |
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LemonHead
Sour Girl
Member since 3/08 5271 total posts
Name:
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
Posted by KPtoys
Because it's all about money for the county. Have you actually seen the test. I am sure your husband has told you about the 24 or so true/false multiple choice questions on it. I agree that people SHOULD follow all the laws but I don't have an issue with someone not having a license if they have insurance and good references.
The county is not raising funds. They are providing you, as well as my husband, with a service- the Department of Consumers Affairs has a fund that protects homeowners in the event that something goes wrong. When you apply for/renew your license, the money goes into an account. If you use a licensed contractor and something goes seriously wrong (your house is uninhabitable), Consumer Affairs will send someone to fix and/or finish the job.
As far as test questions go, they are completely appropriate for the industry. I'm familiar with format and questions and think it's a good assessment of someone's knowledge of the legalities behind the scenes. Working in someone's home is more than just swinging the hammer. The standards for a legally binding contract must be understood to be licensed.
I took a series of tests to become a licensed teacher- the majority of the tests were multiple choice. Does the fact that I took a multiple choice as an assesment take away from my training as a teacher? No.
I'm happy you're comfortable having an unlicensed contractor with good references work in your home. My point is that some contractors have good references AND a license. Those same licensed contractors also have the county standing behind them, waiting to protect YOU.
Message edited 2/14/2009 7:38:04 PM.
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| Posted 2/14/09 7:34 PM |
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KPtoys
I'm getting old
Member since 5/05 8688 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
Posted by faithann
Posted by KPtoys
Because it's all about money for the county. Have you actually seen the test. I am sure your husband has told you about the 24 or so true/false multiple choice questions on it. I agree that people SHOULD follow all the laws but I don't have an issue with someone not having a license if they have insurance and good references.
The county is not raising funds. They are providing you (not my husband) with a service- the Department of Consumers Affairs has a fund that protects homeowners in the event that something goes wrong. When you apply for/renew your license, the money goes into an account. If you use a licensed contractor and something goes wrong, Consumer Affairs will send someone to fix and/or finish the job.
As far as test questions go, they are completely appropriate for the industry. I'm familiar with format and questions and think it's a good assessment of someone's knowledge of the legalities behind the scenes. Working in someone's home is more than just swinging the hammer. The standards for a legally binding contract must be understood to be licensed.
I took a series of tests to become a licensed teacher- the majority of the tests were multiple choice. Does the fact that I took a multiple choice as an assesment take away from my training as a teacher? No.
I'm happy you're comfortable having an unlicensed contractor with good references work in your home. My point is that some contractors have good references AND a license. Those same licensed contractors also have the county standing behind them, waiting to protect YOU.
I understand what you are saying and I hope you can see it from my POV. I know why the county asks people to get licensed. I know there are a lot of people out there, especially 2-3 years ago who decided the market was BOOMING and went out and bought hammers and called themselves contractors. I am sure a lot of homeowners got burned by them and have no recourse. There are people out there who have been doing their trade for years without licenses that I would have do my work. I think people should obey the law but if someones work and their references speak for themselves a license won't stop me from hiring them. Maybe I should add I am married to a contractor and I just renewed one of our licenses Wednesday.
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| Posted 2/14/09 7:45 PM |
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LemonHead
Sour Girl
Member since 3/08 5271 total posts
Name:
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
Posted by KPtoys
Maybe I should add I am married to a contractor and I just renewed one of our licenses Wednesday.
If you are married to a contractor and recently renewed his license, I'm not sure why you would waste so much time arguing the POV of all the illegal, unlicensed contractors on the Island. Seems like a conflict of interest to me.
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| Posted 2/14/09 8:01 PM |
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KPtoys
I'm getting old
Member since 5/05 8688 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
Posted by faithann
Posted by KPtoys
Maybe I should add I am married to a contractor and I just renewed one of our licenses Wednesday.
If you are married to a contractor and recently renewed his license, I'm not sure why you would waste so much time arguing the POV of all the illegal, unlicensed contractors on the Island. Seems like a conflict of interest to me.
Because I know there are some pretty darn talented people out there who don't have licenses. I don't take issue with them. I have more of an issue with people who don't carry comp and liability and expect to get hired as a sub for the same pay.
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| Posted 2/14/09 8:05 PM |
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sunnyplus3
:)
Member since 11/05 8749 total posts
Name:
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
Posted by MrsD06
You should also be aware that if you use a contractor for a large job and they sub out the smaller jobs to other people, the guys who do those smaller jobs (painting, etc.) may not be licensed.
Its not likely because as licensed contractors we have to hold certs of insurance for every subcontractor we use, or we pay a hefty surcharge for using uninsured subs. If I write check to any person-they need to be listed ON my workers comp policy, any business must have insurance.
There's a lot that is involved, its difficult & expensive & that is why so many people do it illegally.
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| Posted 2/14/09 8:56 PM |
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sunnyplus3
:)
Member since 11/05 8749 total posts
Name:
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
Posted by KPtoys
Because I know there are some pretty darn talented people out there who don't have licenses. I don't take issue with them. I have more of an issue with people who don't carry comp and liability and expect to get hired as a sub for the same pay.
we usually agree on most things, but I'm not with you on this one.
In both counties on LI you need to have the license in order to form a contract with a customer. You also cannot pull a permit anywhere on LI for renovations without a license & Insurance if you're a GC.
I see no gain in going half azzed.
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| Posted 2/14/09 8:59 PM |
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philby
LIF Zygote
Member since 7/06 13 total posts
Name:
phil
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
It is all about comp and liability. Period. Comp protects employees and liability protects the homeowner. No insurance, no job!! Don't talk to me. End of story. That is the real world of high end construction and if you don't know now ya' know!! LOL!!!!
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| Posted 2/14/09 11:34 PM |
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Shellyfj
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/07 744 total posts
Name:
Shelly
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
I wouldn't do it.
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| Posted 2/15/09 11:49 AM |
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ThreeCats
Train Ride
Member since 5/05 3127 total posts
Name:
A
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Re: Unlicensed contractors
licensed only....
not sure where you live but in certain areas like lloyd neck and eaten neck trucks/vans get pulled over all the time and you better be a licensed contractor
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| Posted 2/15/09 9:06 PM |
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