brantmacga
Señor Member
- Location
- Georgia
- Occupation
- Former Child
Scenario:
Even though the state has required licensing for years, a small county did not start "enforcing" the law until jan. '02.
That law was never really enforced and permits have been sold to unlicensed persons in all construction fields since the inception of the inspections dept.
A new inspector was hired a year ago, and is now strictly enforcing the law and giving out cease and desist orders. Unlicensed contractors who have been in business for 20+ years are having to close the doors and look for jobs, sending their employees to do the same thing. However, some unlicensed individuals have been allowed to continue working because of who they are, their connections, etc. . . The current inspector and previous were in a heated argument over this recently.
Not everyone within the county gov't agrees with what the inspector is doing, even though he's simply enforcing the laws set by these county officials and protecting the county from liability.
Do you think its fair? Would you be comfortable suggesting that the county make exception for unlicensed individuals with an already established business be allowed to continue working as long as they have proper insurance, and suggest they have to purchase bonds (as many counties I work in already require)?
Consider that although you're probably losing some work from these guys, its work you may not get anyway because once they see your price, a licensed contractor, they're going to get their neighbor's nephew's buddy to come do it for $20 and glass of sweet tea.
What say you?
Even though the state has required licensing for years, a small county did not start "enforcing" the law until jan. '02.
That law was never really enforced and permits have been sold to unlicensed persons in all construction fields since the inception of the inspections dept.
A new inspector was hired a year ago, and is now strictly enforcing the law and giving out cease and desist orders. Unlicensed contractors who have been in business for 20+ years are having to close the doors and look for jobs, sending their employees to do the same thing. However, some unlicensed individuals have been allowed to continue working because of who they are, their connections, etc. . . The current inspector and previous were in a heated argument over this recently.
Not everyone within the county gov't agrees with what the inspector is doing, even though he's simply enforcing the laws set by these county officials and protecting the county from liability.
Do you think its fair? Would you be comfortable suggesting that the county make exception for unlicensed individuals with an already established business be allowed to continue working as long as they have proper insurance, and suggest they have to purchase bonds (as many counties I work in already require)?
Consider that although you're probably losing some work from these guys, its work you may not get anyway because once they see your price, a licensed contractor, they're going to get their neighbor's nephew's buddy to come do it for $20 and glass of sweet tea.
What say you?