What to do about illegal contractors - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

jrannis · 05-17-2009, 07:27 AM

This is a guy that took the time to address the unlicensed people advertising on CL.
I hope everyone reads it, then contacts the poster to see if its OK to post in your local CL.

http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/sks/1172914768.html

manchestersparky · 05-17-2009, 08:20 AM

I see those rants on CL from time to time. Problem is the people looking to hire "contractors" off CL most likely don't care as they want a cheap price!
If they were concerned about licenses and insurance they would be looking in the yellow pages.
Keep in mind that most people hiring off CL are bottom feeders themselves

TOOL_5150 · 05-17-2009, 09:14 AM

Craigslist, for the most part, is a waste of time.

If you want to sell your lawn mower for $50.. or hook up for a 1 night stand, its a good place to go.. thats about it.

~Matt

480sparky · 05-17-2009, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOOL_5150

Craigslist, for the most part, is a waste of time.

If you want to sell your lawn mower for $50.. or hook up for a 1 night stand, its a good place to go.. thats about it.

~Matt

I beg to differ. I advertise on CL all the time and have gotten some pretty nice jobs from it. Fact is, I just finished a Dollar Tree store.

Yeah, nothing earth-shattering to write home about, but a strip-mall build out of a vanilla shell from Craigslist?

I've also gotten service change-outs, a couple remodels/basement finishes, and hooked up with a house flipper. Not too shabby for free advertising.

I think I'll take my money and go buy a night stand now.

miller_elex · 05-17-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 480sparky

I think I'll take my money and go buy a night stand now.

Yeah, I hear you can find one-night stands pretty cheap on CL!
Any truth to that?

480sparky · 05-17-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miller_elex

Yeah, I hear you can find one-night stands pretty cheap on CL!
Any truth to that?

I sure hope so.

And I plan on using it for more than one night. I have a clock radio and a small lamp.

bobelectric · 05-17-2009, 11:31 AM

Howzabout Buds gun shop,com

1900 · 05-17-2009, 12:23 PM

Must you have workmen's comp if you have no other employees (other than yourself)?

If you're a one man shop out of your garage and SUV, other than bonding, what extra cost does having a license entail? Why could an unlicensed contractor in FL do it for $16/hr but not a licensed contractor?

MDShunk · 05-17-2009, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1900

Must you have workmen's comp if you have no other employees (other than yourself)?

If you're a one man shop out of your garage and SUV, other than bonding, what extra cost does having a license entail? Why could an unlicensed contractor in FL do it for $16/hr but not a licensed contractor?

I think that many states do no require the owner to have comp on himself, but you can certainly buy it if you want to. Other than your general liability insurance to keep your license valid, and sometimes professional licensing insurance (a bond that costs about 50 bucks, often times), there's not much. One might hope you'd have commercial insurance on your truck and didn't have it on your personal policy like a commuter vehicle.

rlc3854 · 05-17-2009, 01:15 PM

I know most states don't have the money or manpower to enforce their contracting laws which sad for the business owners and the consumers. In the early 80's in California I advertised in the California Shopper and Pennysaver. You are also required to have your license # displayed in ads, and I didn't at one time. So I get a call for a small job and as details and are talked about the customer request my license #, after I gave it to her she stated that she is an enforcement officer with the CSLB. She went on to state that a review of the license and check for complaints would be made and if the board determined I would be notified if a charge against me would be made. Fortunately nothing ever came from this. As far as WC goes if an unlicensed person works at your home or business it is my understanding that if that person gets hurt while working on your property your responsible and liable in a lawsuit.

sparkyboys · 05-17-2009, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlc3854

I know most states don't have the money or manpower to enforce their contracting laws which sad for the business owners and the consumers. In the early 80's in California I advertised in the California Shopper and Pennysaver. You are also required to have your license # displayed in ads, and I didn't at one time. So I get a call for a small job and as details and are talked about the customer request my license #, after I gave it to her she stated that she is an enforcement officer with the CSLB. She went on to state that a review of the license and check for complaints would be made and if the board determined I would be notified if a charge against me would be made. Fortunately nothing ever came from this. As far as WC goes if an unlicensed person works at your home or business it is my understanding that if that person gets hurt while working on your property your responsible and liable in a lawsuit.

that is true.

Peter D · 05-17-2009, 03:05 PM

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