A good reason to not become a legitimate contractor...
- Thread starter emahler
- Start date
- Status
What is this common sense you speak of? It must be before my time.
As a former city employee it's all politics. You do as upper management says even if it is wrong morally. At the end of the budget year we would spend to make the budget $0 or close to it. $30k left in the budget "What tools does Kenneth want today"? The only way to cure the epidemic of government is to privatize the organization, that way you can have competition for a lower budget and performance.
I think everyone needs to serve in the marines for 2 years after high school.
As a former city employee it's all politics. You do as upper management says even if it is wrong morally. At the end of the budget year we would spend to make the budget $0 or close to it. $30k left in the budget "What tools does Kenneth want today"? The only way to cure the epidemic of government is to privatize the organization, that way you can have competition for a lower budget and performance.
I think everyone needs to serve in the marines for 2 years after high school.
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- Service Manager
Well, I had to do something, you never redeemed that beer.cowboyjwc said:
- Location
- Simi Valley, CA
Yeah sorry about that George. Taking the whole family on a vacation is like hearding cats.
The day we were going to go up to Cheyenne one of the granddaughters got sick. We thought it would pass hoped in the truck and headed up that way and she did it again, so we decided that it wasn't such a good idea to try.
Since we had everything planned so tight we just didn't have the time to reschedule the trip.
You guys sure have pretty lightning up there.
E, I got your point just fine. We just got a house demoed here in town that had been a problem for years. Time to demo? 1 day. Time it took to get house demoed? 10 years.
How frustrating do you think that is for us? Reports and court apperences and inspection warrents and inspection time for a nonpermitted job. Yet you pull a permit and I can shut you down for as long as it take to get the job into compliance.
That was the point of the moment in the movie. I was born here, I have a passport, but becasue I got a hair cut since that picture I'm standing in line here for 2 hours and yet I could just cross the lower boarder in a matter of minutes if I did it illlegly.
The day we were going to go up to Cheyenne one of the granddaughters got sick. We thought it would pass hoped in the truck and headed up that way and she did it again, so we decided that it wasn't such a good idea to try.
Since we had everything planned so tight we just didn't have the time to reschedule the trip.
You guys sure have pretty lightning up there.
E, I got your point just fine. We just got a house demoed here in town that had been a problem for years. Time to demo? 1 day. Time it took to get house demoed? 10 years.
How frustrating do you think that is for us? Reports and court apperences and inspection warrents and inspection time for a nonpermitted job. Yet you pull a permit and I can shut you down for as long as it take to get the job into compliance.
That was the point of the moment in the movie. I was born here, I have a passport, but becasue I got a hair cut since that picture I'm standing in line here for 2 hours and yet I could just cross the lower boarder in a matter of minutes if I did it illlegly.
brian john
Senior Member
- Location
- Leesburg, VA
I have had a few inspectors tell me over the years, "Look I use to be a contractor. yada, yada, yada."
All I want to say is the key word in that statement is USE TO BE, probably a good reason you are still not a contractor.
Many of the building departments do not work with contractors, making jobs impossible. We have one jurisdiction where average permit wait is a 4 hours and the permit specialists (that's their title) are looking for any excuse to send you away without a permit. "Oh sir you dotted the "I" with black ink you need red ink."
All I want to say is the key word in that statement is USE TO BE, probably a good reason you are still not a contractor.
Many of the building departments do not work with contractors, making jobs impossible. We have one jurisdiction where average permit wait is a 4 hours and the permit specialists (that's their title) are looking for any excuse to send you away without a permit. "Oh sir you dotted the "I" with black ink you need red ink."
- Location
- Simi Valley, CA
Wow, Brian if I lived where you lived I wouldn't want to be a contractor either. Average wait time here 20 minutes. Approx. 6000 permits issued last year. 10 day plancheck turnaround. Next day inspection and if you call in the morning we'll give you a two hour window and maybe down to the exact time if we are able.
And enough with the can't hack it as a contractor so they become an inspector. Some of us have our reasons. I threw my back out when I was 17 (I'm 49) and I can throw it out just tying my shoes, so it was just getting to harder and harder for me to put on the tools and put in the kind of day that I was used to putting in.
Many of you do not know that it is almost harder to get certified as an inspetor now than it is to become a contractor. You take your test here in CA and then send in your check every 2 years and they renew your license. As an inspector I also have to take a test, I also have to send in a check every two years, and take another test and certify that I have at least 53 training hours. I have to know the NEC as well as parts of the UBC and in Ca we have Title 24 which we must enforce, which is 3 books about the size of the NEC. I have to take Post Disaster Assessment training as well as First Responder traing at least every two years. I am in the previous code book as well as the current code book and the one coming up since I have jobs that are still under to old, jobs in the current and it is my job to train staff on the upcoming. We worked 16 hours a day, 7 days a week for 4 weeks after the '94 earthquake. We work just as hard as you do and I know just as much as I am also a C-10. Just becasue we don't run our own business doesn't mean that we don't know what we're doing. Trust me that pendulim swings both ways.
Ok, I've vented. So how's your day? :grin:
And enough with the can't hack it as a contractor so they become an inspector. Some of us have our reasons. I threw my back out when I was 17 (I'm 49) and I can throw it out just tying my shoes, so it was just getting to harder and harder for me to put on the tools and put in the kind of day that I was used to putting in.
Many of you do not know that it is almost harder to get certified as an inspetor now than it is to become a contractor. You take your test here in CA and then send in your check every 2 years and they renew your license. As an inspector I also have to take a test, I also have to send in a check every two years, and take another test and certify that I have at least 53 training hours. I have to know the NEC as well as parts of the UBC and in Ca we have Title 24 which we must enforce, which is 3 books about the size of the NEC. I have to take Post Disaster Assessment training as well as First Responder traing at least every two years. I am in the previous code book as well as the current code book and the one coming up since I have jobs that are still under to old, jobs in the current and it is my job to train staff on the upcoming. We worked 16 hours a day, 7 days a week for 4 weeks after the '94 earthquake. We work just as hard as you do and I know just as much as I am also a C-10. Just becasue we don't run our own business doesn't mean that we don't know what we're doing. Trust me that pendulim swings both ways.
Ok, I've vented. So how's your day? :grin:
brian john said:
Brian,
All our inspectors, come from a contracting background, most are very good at electrical work, some even excell at it, and their code knowladge is usually above average, or pretty good also, we must be lucky to have a large number of good inspectores here in New Jersey, that said most of them will admit, they had a rough time in business, and it was not usually their lack of paying attention to business matters, but the enviroment they had to work in, that being trying to run a ligit business, in a wild wild west, of hackers, low ballers, trunk slammers, and part time moonlighters, all under pricing jobs, for less then a ligt contractor could operate.
That said, you would think they could understand our needs, and work to improve the permit process, and work with us, to bring about enforcement of non permited work, and un licensed work. If laws are on the books, they need to be enforced, or the wild wild west enviroment, will continue to thrive.
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brian john
Senior Member
- Location
- Leesburg, VA
Not to dump more on the local government (and developers), but the naming of streets drives me crazy sometimes. We have roads that change name 2 and 3 times. Has been going on for ever one road has 4 names. Often it is not just the county but the developer changing the name to something MORE PLESANT. Like from "Woods rd" to the "Sanctuary at the Pretty Reserve" (OK so I went over the top here but you get the idea?).
This makes doing service difficult, Though the GPS has minimized this somewhat.
This makes doing service difficult, Though the GPS has minimized this somewhat.
brian john said:
Cheer up Brian!
I know exactly what your saying, take a drive to Inspectors Grove, make a right off AHJ Drive, then procees to Hackers Blvd, turn right on Moonlighter Road, then proceed half mile to Trunk Slammer Hill, make first left and proceed to Low Baller Circle, look for first house on left, 2 story 6000sq ft Mc Mansion owners name on lamp post, Mr Hacker.
Our town names new streets after those, that gave the ultmate for us, so not all cities, and towns, are out in space.
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andinator
Senior Member
- Location
- Lilburn Georgia
brian john said:
I hear ya brother, ATL, GA has got to be the worst in the nation.
- Location
- Simi Valley, CA
In the Los Angeles area we have the streets that change names too, usually due to a development built in between two streets and I guess you have to call it something. We have one street that runs about twenty miles in one block increments, drive a block then it dead ends, go around a block and there it is again. Or the ones that stop and then start five miles later. And then there's the ones that curve so hard that the addresses have to change and can be off by a thousand. Makes it really fun when you "think" you know were you're going.
By the way many of us do care, but we all have a boss and sometimes our hands are tied. I can no more change the price of a permit than you could change the price of a job your boss bid on. Most, if not all, of our inspectors come from a construction backround, but that's not necessaly true for the counter staff or even some of the building officials. What I might want to allow and what the BO will let me, might be two entirerly different things.
I always work with the contractors, mostly because I've become lazy and hate to write correction notices, but write them I will if it's necessary. Remember I get paid weather I write you a correction notice or sign your job card, doesn't really make any difference to me. I just got back from a job a couple of minutes ago and the guy knew the correct answer to every correction I wrote him. If he knew the answer then why didn't he just do it right the first time?
By the way many of us do care, but we all have a boss and sometimes our hands are tied. I can no more change the price of a permit than you could change the price of a job your boss bid on. Most, if not all, of our inspectors come from a construction backround, but that's not necessaly true for the counter staff or even some of the building officials. What I might want to allow and what the BO will let me, might be two entirerly different things.
I always work with the contractors, mostly because I've become lazy and hate to write correction notices, but write them I will if it's necessary. Remember I get paid weather I write you a correction notice or sign your job card, doesn't really make any difference to me. I just got back from a job a couple of minutes ago and the guy knew the correct answer to every correction I wrote him. If he knew the answer then why didn't he just do it right the first time?
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Hey guys, If it weren't for one particular inspector who took the time to mentor me, I would still be complaining about all of the inspectors. As it is there are good, bad, and indifferent inspectors just as there are in any line of work.
Now if I could just find any politicians who I could consider to be good; I would be happy.
Now if I could just find any politicians who I could consider to be good; I would be happy.
In Houston we do all permits online, they base the fee from a fee schedule. I think they were to cheap but have raised them recently.
Most of the inspectors are good guys stuck in a Ferris wheels so to speak. One of my best friends is the assistant chief, and while we take Harley trips all over the country I usually do not involve him in my issues, I generally will take it up with one of the seniors or the chief.
I also try without exception to meet all my inspectors for inspection, and yes I do budget this in my price. It has made a huge difference, for one I never get turned down and I develop a good re pore with the inspectors. I think we have around 40 field inspectors. OK now I am rambling, anyway you can't beat the system ( legally) so I try hard to work with it
Most of the inspectors are good guys stuck in a Ferris wheels so to speak. One of my best friends is the assistant chief, and while we take Harley trips all over the country I usually do not involve him in my issues, I generally will take it up with one of the seniors or the chief.
I also try without exception to meet all my inspectors for inspection, and yes I do budget this in my price. It has made a huge difference, for one I never get turned down and I develop a good re pore with the inspectors. I think we have around 40 field inspectors. OK now I am rambling, anyway you can't beat the system ( legally) so I try hard to work with it
g@friendly
Member
- Location
- NJ
That is great! I have been wanting to do my permit online like that for the longest time. Ther is a service that I wish my whole state would do that so this way we would have the same form. I currently have to look up what form to give to who.
The forms are (at the very least *should* be) all the same from city to city:g@friendly said:
http://www.state.nj.us/njbusiness/license/permits/construct/forms.shtml
On the BOTTOM, LEFT: http://www.state.nj.us/dca/codes/
See the "[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Uniform Construction Code Forms" [/FONT]box?
Don't hold your breath on the "online" submittal of forms, though...
resistance
Senior Member
- Location
- WA
All I can say is that our company is working hard to pay a large % of our money towards taxes, and insurance.
It's not easy being a legitimate small business ( for many reasons)!
Short Story:
We completed all the rough and trim work for a customer who was very happy about the work we did. When it came down to getting their final inspection, the customer was no-where to be found, so the inspector called me (not something they would normally do) and told me that we would have to reschedule the inspection--which I found to be fair. Well, an hour later the customer calls me, and I explained to him that the inspection would have to be re-scheduled due to his absence. The customer had a fit! He started using foul language, demanding that I make the inspector come back. I told him that it was out of my hands, and he could get the inspection the next day. He yelled, and told me he would call and demand the inspector to come back, then hung up the phone on me. After that, I was pissed! I called the electrical inspector (he actually gave me his #<--not normal.),and explained the situation. The inspector told me he couldn't turn around , because he was too far away. I told him don?t worry about it, then added, "I do not want my customer scheduling his own inspection until I get paid. The inspector told me he had no control over who calls in for inspections. I told him fine, and called the main office (This is where all the bull comes in). I told them the situation, and explained that I was the permit holder, and I did not want any inspections, unless we call for an inspection. The State office then says, ?We have no control over who calls for inspection. ? So I asked, "what the heck is the purpose of me getting a permit, If I have no control over how it's handled." The State rep says, too bad. we can't do anything for you. I said, fine. Forget it! Later the state calls me back, and says, " we can cancel your permit, and put a note on it--telling the inspector to report to the electrical inspector supervisor before doing any inspections on the permit." The State rep explained that the note would say this: Do not do any inspections, unless our company calls for inspection. Well, a week later the inspection was passed, and concluded. I then called and asked how the heck did they get an inspection. The State department told me nothing! I called the electrical inspector, and he told me, that the homeowner pulled there own permit, and got an inspection? Still????????????????????? I voided their warranty!
By the way, the customer did not work, and had unlimited money--this should speak on the attitude of getting what they want when they want it!
They paid me a week after that, but this further leaves you to question the legitimacy of the legitimate contractor. No power, no purpose! The ill-legitimate could have had the home owner pull the permit, and did the work---while making a much better profit without the hassle from the state, Taxes, and customer.
It's not easy being a legitimate small business ( for many reasons)!
Short Story:
We completed all the rough and trim work for a customer who was very happy about the work we did. When it came down to getting their final inspection, the customer was no-where to be found, so the inspector called me (not something they would normally do) and told me that we would have to reschedule the inspection--which I found to be fair. Well, an hour later the customer calls me, and I explained to him that the inspection would have to be re-scheduled due to his absence. The customer had a fit! He started using foul language, demanding that I make the inspector come back. I told him that it was out of my hands, and he could get the inspection the next day. He yelled, and told me he would call and demand the inspector to come back, then hung up the phone on me. After that, I was pissed! I called the electrical inspector (he actually gave me his #<--not normal.),and explained the situation. The inspector told me he couldn't turn around , because he was too far away. I told him don?t worry about it, then added, "I do not want my customer scheduling his own inspection until I get paid. The inspector told me he had no control over who calls in for inspections. I told him fine, and called the main office (This is where all the bull comes in). I told them the situation, and explained that I was the permit holder, and I did not want any inspections, unless we call for an inspection. The State office then says, ?We have no control over who calls for inspection. ? So I asked, "what the heck is the purpose of me getting a permit, If I have no control over how it's handled." The State rep says, too bad. we can't do anything for you. I said, fine. Forget it! Later the state calls me back, and says, " we can cancel your permit, and put a note on it--telling the inspector to report to the electrical inspector supervisor before doing any inspections on the permit." The State rep explained that the note would say this: Do not do any inspections, unless our company calls for inspection. Well, a week later the inspection was passed, and concluded. I then called and asked how the heck did they get an inspection. The State department told me nothing! I called the electrical inspector, and he told me, that the homeowner pulled there own permit, and got an inspection? Still????????????????????? I voided their warranty!
By the way, the customer did not work, and had unlimited money--this should speak on the attitude of getting what they want when they want it!
They paid me a week after that, but this further leaves you to question the legitimacy of the legitimate contractor. No power, no purpose! The ill-legitimate could have had the home owner pull the permit, and did the work---while making a much better profit without the hassle from the state, Taxes, and customer.
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