Anyone who’s a MI builder (or wants to become one)… notice the changes to the licensure law? If not, take a look here:
http://www.michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154-35299_35414_35455—,00.html
Look for “Highlights of New Legislation” (.pdf file). Further info in the Public Acts, the links are here:
http://www.michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154-35299_35414_35455-185112–,00.html
It appears that under the new law, (PA 157), a licensee has to get 3 hours of continuing ed per year. To become licensed, 60 hours of class + test. Glad I got mine before class was mandatory…
I have my views about these changes, but I’ll reserve my comments for now…
Replies
Thank God for Granholm. What a tool. The only thing this will provide is more "revenue" for the State.
That's government for you. I'm sure there are companies ready to "teach" you everything you need to know, for a hefty fee. First they find out who is doing the work, then they can tax you on it.
Yup... I said I'd reserve my thoughts... well, couldn't hold them in...
1. Yup, lots of companies will be making money just as they do for some of the other #### licensing in MI. I have my real estate salesperson license as well. You pay for the inital training (typically a couple Ben Franklins), then you pay every year for continuing slumber, er, education. When I heard changes were being made to builder's licensing, I just KNEW continuing ed would be part of it.
2. Yup... when you can't attract business, can't keep the existing businesses afloat, and don't want to cut taxes... well, let's just add more BS fees to those stuck in this hole known as MI. Last one out, pays off all MI's debts! (The lights were long ago turned off for lack of payment. Besides, the utility was probably foreclosed upon anyway.)
3. We have the media to blame for this also. I remember one of the local TV stations in Detroit (Fox 2?) running stories on the bad builders, and then ecstatically pronouncing that they helped get the "bad builder" bill passed into law. I'm sure these changes are what was talked about. How does the mandatory classroom training (for new licensee wannabes) and continuing ed keep a contractor from ripping off the public? Steeper fines, stricter enforcement, maybe. Making people pay to sit in a classroom to learn what they should already know by OTJ training to be a licensed builder, a waste.
My rant is done...
I've only had my liscense for 4 years, wonder what they mean by competency courses?
By the looks of it I have to complete 21 hrs of what they claim to be competency.
Great, I was looking for something to fill in the extra time I had.
Woods favorite carpenter
Glad I let mine lapse LOL!
There are so many people walking around with a MI license that it will be cheaper to hire a license for the year than to pay the 3 hr training fee.
Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
I don't know, maybe it's not such a bad thing. When I was a framer in Michigan there were a lot of CBs' (cellular builders) who were pretty shady to say the least. MI would be better served with a test like Florida, where have to have an education in construction or prove work experience. As you guys from MI know their pervious test was a joke, study or take a 8hr class, pass the test and your a builder. Some of those jokers have never held a hammer before let alone how to build a quality house. As for the business classes that couldn't hurt either, how many builders have you guys worked for who went belly up and just couldn.t pay you, even ones with the best intent. With a little education they might have managed their business better and been in better shape to pay their subs.
One other thought. This new standard might eliminate the UAW builders. The laid off auto worker who decides he's is going to play carpenter while he collects that 90% paycheck. I'm sure some of the MI guys have lost a job because that UAW guy bid so outrageously low that you couldn't even gas your truck with the profit.
You make some good points. IF the training is done well. So, it should be interesting to see what the training is like (though I won't have to do it.) Also should be interesting to see about the required continuing ed.
Otherwise, with the exception of the higher cost of entrance (the classes), I don't think it would sway the "UAW builders". Lots and lots of people who took buyouts, some of which didn't yet run out of MI.
The thing that irritates me about the "prove work experience" is when there is a "number of hours" stipulation. To me, a smart, motivated guy (or girl) can pick stuff up quick, so the stipulation that you must have #### hours under someone to be "qualified" doesn't apply. Take the "dumb as a post" person, and you could triple the hours and the person still wouldn't be qualified. (I guess the associated licensing test would weed out the "post").
I agree big IF. As far as UAW builders I just think it's shameful that some of these guys drive prices far down that legit businesses can barley survive. I know that some don't realize what they are doing, and maybe some exposer to the business side might teach them.
IIRC don't other trades have to prove work experience? ie electricians, plumbers, hvac. If so why shouldn't builders. Although you also make a good point about someone working and never learning.
I welcome the changes, it really has been too easy to get licsensed here. It looks as though people with 6 or more yrs. liscensed only need take 1 hour per year, but They havent even decided what courses qualify.
They also are going to require each "qualifying officer" of an LLC or corporation to hold an individual license, as well as one for the LLC or corp. Many of us do that anyway, but that insures double fees to the state. (THANKS Jennifer)
I also think the pre qual' is a good idea. The fees though, you guys are taxed enough.
TO ALL IN MICHIGAN: I hope things get better for you guys. Michigan is a great place to live and I really miss it. It' a shame that MI government can't get their heads out of their azz
Edited 2/16/2008 2:01 am ET by Bridge_Dog
Some of us point our fingers at the unions and Democratic senators and legislators Michigan voters keep sending to Washington.
The unions went too far and have created an "entitlement" attitude. Those reps - they're downright clueless.
For over 50 years this has been going on and has slowly eroded what used to be a nice place to be.
The urban sprawl that has been created due to no mass transit systems makes people's commutes a nitemare. And where do those billions to build come from? Washington.
Michigan has slowly lost the Defense facilities and contracts over that time also. Federal dollars being returned from taxes as a unit of measure always puts Michigan at the bottom of the list.
Michigan's auto makers kept the country out of a recession in the 2000's by those no interest deals, keeping their people working yet not making profits. Greenspan recognized this ONCE. No one else has. Nice thanks they got. They state's senators gave that business away to the Japanese long ago.
I could go on and on, but I hijacked this thread enuff... It'll end up in the Tavern if I don't shut up.