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I quit doing installs, so now I don't need a contractor's license! I figure that I make more $$$ at the eisel or computer than I do hammerin nails!
------------------ Bob Burns Bob Burns Signs
1619 Oregon Ave. Prescott, Az 86305 1-928-778-5879
Posts: 2121 | From: Prescott, Arizona, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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In California it is illegal to bid on a job over $300 or to do any installs without it. In many municipalities without the contractors license you can't get a permit, and they require proof of insurance and without the license insurance is not available. So, Joe, most every job I do would be unavailable to me without it.
------------------ The SignShop Mendocino, California "Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Posts: 6806 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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My partner got his license. In Santa Rosa Co you can't put a nail in a wall to install a Commercial sign (legally) without a contractor's license. It's a good idea to have one here. But it really does get frustrating when you see one go up illegally. Mostly because of the money you have to spend out that comes along with being a licensed contractor (more liability insurance, worker's comp, license fees, permitting time) means you will (I hope)charge more than your local franchise shops. Which means you have to school your customers on why you charge what you do. The general public (and apparently alot of shops) have no idea what the sign codes are. You have to keep them legal to keep yourself in good graces with the area code enforcement. Escambia County is a bit different. If the sign is under 15' tall and is non-electrical, you don't need a license to permit or install. In the Pensacola City Limits you have to have a license or be the owner of the business/property to pull the permit. If the owner pulls the permit, they have accepted liability as far as the install is concerned. And can then hire you to install it.
My point is...look at your market and location, do you do, or want to do to types of jobs that would require you to have a license? If so, spend the $200 on the books a start studying!
Have Fun!
------------------ Joe Endicott Graphic Arts Gulf Breeze, FL joesign1@bellsouth.net
Posts: 681 | From: Virginia Beach, VA USA | Registered: Mar 1999
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thanks joe...iam lookin to maybe get into something else since i am also a draftsman...and maybe do some building plans and got a re-lat-ive who is in the building trades...just thinkin.. i had a run in with the downtown city sign police....all i did was change out a couple plastic faces...but it was in the historical district.....and i was the bad guy for not knowing this....but iam not lookin to get into sign installations, leave that to ..keith.......when i left sarasota..they had made it law that to do any sign installs in the county there..you had to have a contractors lisence.
------------------ joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-944-5060 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND
Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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I had a florida state contractors license, It cost $800.00 for the books, you can't even get a permit down there with out one, I found this out the hard way When I opened my shop there I paid for a business license ok great got my first job go down to the county building to get a permit, can't give me a permit no contractors license I said you gave me a license to open a sign shop, She got out the book and said your licensed to manufacture signs but not install them, I said what am I supposed to do with them after I manufacture them, no answer had to go through that course just to dig two holes in the sand and screw a 4x8 to posts. Your customer the hair dresser can walk right in and get a permit in 15 minutes go figure.
------------------ Scott Moyer Promised Land Pennsylvania 570-595-0310
Posts: 111 | From: Canadensis PA. USA | Registered: Mar 2000
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I'm Licensed in North and South Carolina to build anything up to about $500,000. We build about one a year for extra cash. I like the sign biz alot better, but I do miss the $$.. Its way to hard to do both at the same time.
------------------ Robert Davis Sticky Sam's Signs (828)488-1715 mttropic@dnet.net The Great Smoky Mountains Bryson City, N.C.
Posts: 133 | From: Bryson City, N.C. US | Registered: Jul 2000
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Ditto what Rick Sacks says. In California they give you a plastic card you are supposed to carry, and in many towns, they run your number through the state's website to see if your insurance is paid up and your license is clean before they will give you a sign permit.
If you bid work to general contractors out here, the smart ones will require that you have a license and insurance before awarding you the contract. If they hire an unlicensed, uninsured contractor, and there is an accident, the responsibility rolls back onto the general contractor.
In our (Vic & Rick) case, a license is the only way to go. There's not that much to the test, but you do have to study a little bit to pass it. Vic G
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