Applying for a general contractor's license

[FinishCarpenter1976]

Hey guys,
I was just wondering if you guys could help me out here. I’ve been working for a remodeling company that installs trim and drywall and I’m about ready to be laid off because my company is short on work. Now I’ve decided that I would like to start my own business but I want to be legit. Not only that, I know that most consumers won’t hire you unless you’re licensed and insured. I feel kind of stupid for asking this question but I would like to know how one goes about applying for a License and which is the best insurance company to go with? I would like to become a licensed general contractor. So, Do I have to take a test for the license or is this something you just buy?

Thanks,
Brian

[Lawrence Taylor]

Greetings,
How long ya been doing trim for a living.

[tjbnwi]

Brian,

Here you go no test required as I read it.

http://www.cityofjeff.net/Building/F...%20License.pdf

This is the link to the building departments home page;

http://www.cityofjeff.net/Building/BuildingMain.htm

I cannot find where there is any license required for Clark County.

http://www.co.clark.in.us/plancommission.html

Tj

I just reread the application it is not listed but Indiana law requires a $10,000.00 state unified bond. I do not remember the exact wording but it list the building comminsion and must be recorded with the County Recorder. All Indiana licenses come due on January 1st,
so what until after then.

[Overbuilders]

So, Do I have to take a test for the license or is this something you just buy? Thanks, Brian

Depends on the jurisdiction. Here in the WOW, every jurisdiction honors or is reciprocal with a Denver license, except Aurora, and vice versa. Every municipality honors an Aurora license, except Denver. It's kinda like a girl fight. My problem was, I took the Littleton, Arvada, and Westminster tests before realizing I could take one or two tests and simply pay for the rest. Don't be that guy. Denver required far and away the most documentation - references, detailed work history, etc. - and they do verify all information. Then and only then can you proceed.

There is a four hour time limit to take the eighty question test. Twenty questions per hour, one every three minutes. Piece o' cake. You are also allowed to tab and label pages, and highlight specific and pertinent codes. But only ahead of time, not when you are actually testing. And don't let them catch you writing in the code book! Oh, yeah. It costs $100 to take the test through ICC, and Jeffersonville is on the required list of cities in Indiana.


http://www2.iccsafe.org/contractor/d...e.cfm?state=IN

Funny story, unless you're me. I first took the Denver test around the middle of this past July. It was based on the 2003 IRC, which was the ONLY reference allowed into the testing room, which was also closely monitored by people and cameras. I stroll in, they pat me down, check out my 2003 IBC, and I begin what has never been more than a two-and-a-half to three hour test. I'm not sure why, but Denver doesn't tell you what your passing score is, only that you passed. In my previous attempts I scored 98, 97, and 95. This time the result shouldn't be any different. Boy was I wrong.

It was taking a long time to find answers. In fact, I couldn't find several answers in the code book, so I skipped those questions with the intent of returning to them towards the end. Time was flying and I didn't understand why this version of the test was so difficult. When I looked up at the clock, there were fifteen minutes left and nine or ten answers left to complete. I wasn't happy. Rushing to finish, I was thoroughly convinced I would be picking up my Denver license the next day. I closed out the test and waited for the computer-generated results.


MINIMUM PASSING SCORE: 70

YOUR SCORE: 63

YOUR STATUS: FAIL

WH-WH-WHAT?!?!?!?!?!


Humiliating. Thoroughly...humiliating. Was I dreaming? What was the big deal? I had previously passed identical tests three times in six years, but this time I got my butt kicked. So I licked my wounds, changed my clothes, and went back to work. T'was truly a long day. The biggest PITA was the mandatory ten day wait a total failure such as myself was forced to endure before being allowed to retest.

Several days later, I picked up the 2003 IBC and started studying every question I could recall. After a few minutes I looked at the cover, looked up a reference, looked at the cover again...and realized...I tabbed, highlighted, and took the wrong code book to the test! I took the 2003 IBC, not the 2003 IRC code book to the test! Boy, was I...ecstatic! I'm not nearly as self-deprecatingly stupid as I thought.

Long story longer - I paid the 'nuther $100 testing fee, marked up the 2003 IRC, and retook the test ten days later, passing it with what can only be described as 'flying colors'. Then I drank a lot of beer. Woohoo!


PS - Oops, TJ has better links. ;p

[Dancing Dan]

Or move to Maine - no contractor's license. Hell, most of the state doesn't even have a building code!

[tjbnwi]

Brian,

Looking at Poor Ricky's link it does include Jeffersonville, so you need this book, with the Indiana amendments;

http://www.bookmarki.com/2005-Indian...-p/5321l05.htm

Or if you wish to go pick it up in Indy you need #5 in this link, their address is on their home page;

http://www.aiaindiana.org/Bookstore/...&Standards.asp

So you know they are finalizing the 08 updates so check when you apply for the test which cycle they are on. I do not exepect to see 08 adaptation until Sept of 08.

Good luck,

Tj

[j.m.s.]

I am surprised that you guys need licenses. I have lived in NJ and NY. NY does not require it and just recently NJ started requiring it, but there is no test , just another way of making money and charging us $90 / yr. For both new home builder and home improvement in NJ there is no test. In NY they are requiring electricians and plumbers to do it by county, but that's big business trying to keep out the little guy, and that's no lie!!!
I registered business and name in the county seats where I lived, got a federal ID number, Got liability with State Farm Ins. and work comp thru State Ins. fund. When I went to Building inspector classes for RCS that's when I found out NJ was requiring the license and filled out the necessary papers and that was it, oh yeah, and the $90.

Joe

[tjbnwi]

Dan,

You may not need a license, but your entire state as of 2004 does have a building code.

By default any area not adopting their own code is subject to the MMBC;

http://www.state.me.us/legis/lawlib/buildcode.htm

j.m.s.

I am totally amazed that you do not need a license for New York, be it local or state, like you said it is a cash cow.

Tj

[GaryJR]

GC licensing is done at the local level in NYS.

[j.m.s.]

Gary is right, in Rockland county , NY you need a license, but that is a little far for me so I have not done much work there. Even that is a big joke, it all comes down to money and keeping the little guy out, or keeping the " good ole boys" in.

Joe

[Kowboy]

Hey guys,
I was just wondering if you guys could help me out here. I’ve been working for a remodeling company that installs trim and drywall and I’m about ready to be laid off because my company is short on work. Now I’ve decided that I would like to start my own business but I want to be legit. Not only that, I know that most consumers won’t hire you unless you’re licensed and insured. I feel kind of stupid for asking this question but I would like to know how one goes about applying for a License and which is the best insurance company to go with? I would like to become a licensed general contractor. So, Do I have to take a test for the license or is this something you just buy?

Thanks,
Brian

Brian:

While I appreciate all the help you've been given regarding your test, no one has pointed out the fatal flaw in your plan. "I'm about to be laid off because my company is short on work." How does your having a license change the demand for drywall and trim in your area?

I'd get into internet porn or Mary Kay cosmetics. Something where people find the money no matter what. Do you remember women beings any less attractive during the last few recessions? It ain't happening, they'll feed the family mac and cheese, but momma ain't goin' without makeup.

Kowboy

[J.Buesking]

I am amazed that in the top 50 websites currently online 4-5 are free porn. A couple years ago they didn't even exist.

There's a business model I let slide by me....Not many days go buy I don't get pist at myself for not coming up with the youtube of porn.....pure genius from a business standpoint....

[FinishCarpenter1976]

For about 4 1/2 years

[Lavrans]

I am amazed that in the top 50 websites currently online 4-5 are free porn. A couple years ago they didn't even exist.

There's a business model I let slide by me....Not many days go buy I don't get pist at myself for not coming up with the youtube of porn.....pure genius from a business standpoint....

Man, you're behind the curve!

The only part of the internet that actually made profit has been porn. Somewhere between 2002-2004 was the breakthrough, when companies that weren't porn actually started making regular, year round profits.

You'll probably notice that WallMart is just starting to get into profits online.

The porn effect is one of the reasons there was a pretty big news story about 5-6 years ago where some people started looking into the investors behind those sites and found that every single large media outlet (ABC, CBS, Disney, etc.) were all heavily invested in "adult" sites.

I can't say I would advocate getting into that business though. The industry doesn't do any good for the soul.



Back to the OP though, yes, the biggest question right now really should be "WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS PLAN?" If you don't have one, and are thinking you'll just run out and "get work" somehow, you might be in for more trouble than just the tests and licensing requirements.

At the least, you'll be paying twice the taxes, which somewhat offsets the higher (in theory) wage when working for yourself. And all the little things that you run through without thinking (screws, tape, knife blades, pencils, notepads, pens) take a much greater part of the pie than you think.

[FinishCarpenter1976]

Hey guys,

I really appreciate everyone's help here especially the info and links that tjbnwy provided. I'll have to admit I was a little shocked about what TJ said about the $10,000.00 state unified bond. What does it mean to be bonded?