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NJ contractor license

USAnigel | Posted in Business on January 9, 2008 12:17pm

As requested NJ consumer affairs got their “donation” via the www. All appeared to go as normal, then I get a letter telling me I answered “no” to insurance.

Next is a bunch of letters telling me to have my insurance co send directly proof of insurance. This was at the end of Nov. Still no word and the voice mail box for the department is full, great work NJ.

I’m still wondering why I was allowed to proceed when I answered “no insurance”, should have stopped me there and said come back when you have some!

Anyone else having a problem with this?

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Replies

  1. Shep | Jan 09, 2008 01:39am | #1

    About the only requirement for getting the NJ liscense is having liability insurance. I'm not sure why you would apply for it without having a policy. As I recall, you need a million $ in liability ins.

    When I appiled 2 year ago, I filled everything out, sent it in, and about 2 months later got a notice that I needed to register my business name with the county. Did that, sent everything back in, and promptly got my liscense about 5 months later. LOL.

    I've heard of guys waiting longer than that, tho.

    1. USAnigel | Jan 09, 2008 02:47am | #2

      I meant to state I do have insurance its just the web renewal, I feel, should have stopped me at that point until I showed insurance.

      I agree the license means nothing, its just another tax to look like the gov is doing something to "protect" the people.

      1. Shep | Jan 09, 2008 02:56am | #3

        OK, I have to agree with you about that.

        But remember, this is NJ. Our government can't do anything right.

        1. User avater
          davidhawks | Jan 09, 2008 04:20am | #5

          But remember, this is NJ. Our government can't do anything right.

          Yea, remember Florio?The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.

  2. FNbenthayer | Jan 09, 2008 03:07am | #4

    It was "explained" to me that every time an application is rejected (your fault or their's) it goes back to the bottom of the pile (6-8 weeks).

    It might be worth your time to visit the folks Newark with your ins info, there is at least one intelligent being there (forgot her name).

     

     

     

     

    The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.
    - Fyodor Dostoyevski

  3. rlrefalo | Jan 09, 2008 06:17am | #6

    they'll probably charge you the 25$ late fee now.

  4. DonCanDo | Jan 09, 2008 02:16pm | #7

    It took me well over a year to get my initial license.  By the time they got around to processing it, the first certificate of insurance that I sent them had expired and even though I had renewed, they never bothered to check and so my application was rejected.  Morons!

    The renewal process was very smooth.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Interestingly, I didn't have to prove that I have insurance, I merely had to tell them that I did.  What's the point of that?

    When I first applied for the license, I assumed that there would be a follow-up consumer notification program that would try to get the word out that ALL contractors in NJ need licenses.  That way, consumers would know to ask and it would ultimately benefit legit contractors.  No such notification program seems to be occurring.  Further begging the question, what's the point?  (I mean, other than generating revenue).

    I do have my license number on my business cards and correspondence and that may give me very slight advantage over those that aren't licensed, but it's not much of an advantage.  For example, before knowing that I'm licensed NO ONE has ever asked me if I am.  And NO ONE has ever asked what it means to be licensed.

    I think licensing is a step in the right direction, but so far, it's been poorly planned, poorly implemented, poorly supported and poorly announced.  You would think it was some kind of typical government program... oh wait, it is.

    1. unTreatedwood | Jan 23, 2008 08:30pm | #9

      AMEN.  remember the installing of the easypass toll booths?  they can't get ANYTHING right the first time....that's because so many lackeys are getting kickbacks....Long live Tony Soprano!!"The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a governmental program"  -Ronald Reagan 

  5. unTreatedwood | Jan 23, 2008 08:28pm | #8

    I was dealing with this until I decided to just leave the state!!  ( now in PA).  There are two certificates they are looking for: handyman version or contractor version.  If I recall correctly, they want proof of at least $1Mllion liability policy in place.  I had tracked down a firm who would do that in Hackensack, but did not follow through as I do not currently do anything in NJ.  If I don't miss my guess, it's only the beginning for Lord Corzine and his ilk.  Good luck.  Hardest part of all this for the handyman end is showing enough revenues to get the insurance.  Most underwriters have a minimum they need to underwrite.

    "The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a governmental program"  -Ronald Reagan 

    1. USAnigel | Jan 23, 2008 09:36pm | #10

      To bring it all up to date. I followed their instructions with proving insurance etc. last thursday I was notified, according to their records, as I had not renewed I would be canceled. I sent copys of everything, insurance, fees paid, etc. by recorded mail, wish me luck!

      I would not mind if it was worth "anything" other than another "tax" on me!

      1. Shep | Jan 23, 2008 09:45pm | #11

        Saw this thread, and wondered if it was you.

        Good luck with the liscense. Maybe it'd be better if there was something like a motor vehicle office, where you could apply in person? Probably not, considering how that's run LOL.

        You'd think the NJ government, if they want contractors to be liscensed, would make the process a bit friendlier.

        1. USAnigel | Feb 10, 2008 02:11am | #12

          Horror shock!! It arrived today in blue, I was expecting something else when I saw blue!

          what a pain in the butt!!

          1. DonCanDo | Feb 10, 2008 03:42am | #13

            Congratulations!  Now be sure to put that license number on you business cards and letterhead.  I've had many customers look at my card and say something like "oh, nice.. you're licensed".

          2. Shep | Feb 11, 2008 05:29am | #14

            Now you're official!

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