Replies

1. 
   fredsmart48 | May 27, 2003 02:08am | #1

   What kind of licensing system are you talking about???

   One that has enough people check all the GC records every year to make sure they are doing every thing that the state requires for the license. Plus enough people to check for unlicensed people playing GC.

   One that fines and jails the unlicensed carpenter working as GC.

   One that fines the home owner 4 times the labor and material for not hiring licensed and insured GC and jail if some one gets hurt.

   One that requires the owner or CEO to be GC and holds the them responsible for actions of the company.

   One that will put GC in jail and fine him twice gross pay of the company for a year if he builds some thing in such away that is not to code and the construction fails or would fail and some one could have gotten hurt.

   One that will fine the GC 1 years gross income for year for not having all the required insurance in effect at the time of the work being done.

   One that will fine the GC for not hiring subs contractors that are licensed by the state.

   One that requires 1 day written test on building codes, fire code, dealing with hazards material, OSHA standards. 2 day practical work test.

    

   Or are you talking about a licensing system where you give the state $5.00 and they give you a piece of paper saying your a GC.

1. 
   ingrained | Jun 02, 2003 01:38am | #2

   Fred,

   You opened my eyes to the possible side effects of liscencing (read the fine print?) I think I'm just looking for a good way to separate myself from the pack and help level the playing field. Maybe I'm not on the right track with liscensing. what's your view?

1. 
   Piffin | Jun 02, 2003 01:48am | #3

   You satisfy the customers with quality work to separate your self from the pack.

   And if you think there are any level playing fields in this life...I feel for you..

   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   ingrained | Jun 02, 2003 01:51am | #4

   thanks piff

2. 
   kostello | Jun 02, 2003 10:51am | #6

   i agree that it is difficult to get client to truely understand why it is that you cost more than anybody else.

   here in the UK anyone can call themsleves a builder.

   i myself am completely self taught so i have no qualifications to make me stand out from the crowd. so i let my work speak for itself.

   the regulations for building work in the UK are much more lax than in the US hence there is no outside control to show that the work is done correctly.

   i believe that if all works had to go to the building control dept. at the very least we would all start off on a level playing field.

   in the past i have been a member of the guild of mastercraftsmen but i found that it made little difference to the number of jobs i got.

   so now i give people a price and they can take it or leave it, and if i don't get the job i comfort myself knowing that i would have done it better.

   most construction workers in the uk  are subcontrators on price work and all they care about is getting it done as fast as poss so they can get paid. some other poor s*d has to go and put things right afterwards.

   sorry about going on a bit but this one of my pet peeves.

   i think that anything that gets people on a level playing field and gives clients a better job has got to be good.

   aleks

2. 
   daddoo | Jun 02, 2003 03:17am | #5

   Since all of my work is in New Jersey, I would be happy if they just made sure you weren't an illegal alien.

   However, I do like the idea of penalties against the homeowner as well.

   And how do you really spell License?

   When all else fails, use duct tape!