Craigslist in Greenville, SC...rant time....

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Minuteman said:
Hired a guy last year who was in electronics in the Navy. He had a Virgina Electrical Journeyman's licence and was sure it would reciprocate with ours. He was wrong. He also thought that he should be able to bypass the 4 year apprenticeship process and just take the test. He was wrong again. Sad to say, he also had very little experience or knowledge that was useful for electrical construction. He finally quit.
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Hey I started with a guy who hired me as a helper, my first day I didn't even know what a Nail-on box was. After 4 months I was running one of the trucks, I learn quick and please trouble shooting electrical systems in homes and commercial is the easiest thing to do. And that seems to be what most guy struggle with. I was just more motivated than most guys. There is quite a bit of difference between Electronics and Electrical, The truth is I prefer the construction side of the trade and I make a good living at it.
 
bikeindy said:
Hey I started with a guy who hired me as a helper, my first day I didn't even know what a Nail-on box was. After 4 months I was running one of the trucks, I learn quick and please trouble shooting electrical systems in homes and commercial is the easiest thing to do. And that seems to be what most guy struggle with. I was just more motivated than most guys. There is quite a bit of difference between Electronics and Electrical, The truth is I prefer the construction side of the trade and I make a good living at it.
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Navy guy was hired as a (almost) journeyman and he missrepresented his experience and ability.
 
Minuteman said:
Navy guy was hired as a (almost) journeyman and he missrepresented his experience and ability.
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Those navy guys are always doing that. Their pilots brag that they can land on Aircraft carriers, when the truth is that they are so bad at flying no one wants them flying near a home or over the country anyway, keep them out over the water where the rest of us will be safe.

I told my new boss at the interview. " I don't know a thing about what you guys do, but i learn quick, don't make excuses and will be here EVERY day ON TIME." another guy got the job showed up two days then didn't show for two, i replaced him.
 
bikeindy said:
Hey I started with a guy who hired me as a helper, my first day I didn't even know what a Nail-on box was. After 4 months I was running one of the trucks, I learn quick and please trouble shooting electrical systems in homes and commercial is the easiest thing to do.
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That's really good but it doesn't look as if Indianapolis offers any type of limited license. An unlimited license allows you to do any job. That's why they want so much experience.

I have guys ask all the time if it's possible to get a license just to wire basements. They say they are very familiar with basement wiring or small tract houses. What they are asking for just doesn't exist?

Even with your own business going what's the biggest job that you have been on to date. Have you installed you first 10K Amp switch gear or even the first 1K amp service. Electrical work isn't complicated there is just a keck of a lot of different jobs to learn.
 
growler said:
That's really good but it doesn't look as if Indianapolis offers any type of limited license. An unlimited license allows you to do any job. That's why they want so much experience.


Even with your own business going what's the biggest job that you have been on to date. Have you installed you first 10K Amp switch gear or even the first 1K amp service. Electrical work isn't complicated there is just a keck of a lot of different jobs to learn.
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Yes there are two levels of license in Marion County/Indianapolis, one alows you to do 2 family homes and smaller the other lets you do it all.

Well I don't have the resources to do large commercial or the man power, we have done 15K SF resturaunt.

Learning isin't the problem.
 
growler said:
That wouldn't keep him from moving to a state that doesn't require a license and going into business for himself.

It's almost as bad is letting a drunk decide if he is sober enough to drive. They all are. :) :)
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I like that one. It answers the unlicensed activity issues we have in Florida during the winter months.
 
Jr, you might want to keep an eye on Craigslist too and give your inspections people a heads up when you see a violator.

Roger
 
hockeyoligist2 said:
I don't have a dog in this fight, since I am Industrial, and have no plans to do side jobs. I have a master electrician "Trades Certification" from MASC not a license, but I can pull a permit on a job up to $5000. I don't have a contractors license. SC doesn't require a contractors license up to $5000 according to the information I have received. Unless I am getting wrong information the OP's original post about people working illegally is not correct.

From the SC state licensing board:


http://www.llr.state.sc.us/pol/Contractors/PDF files/BUILDINGOFFICIALTRAININGPACKAGE.pdf

TO: Whom It May Concern
FROM: South Carolina Contractors? Licensing Board
SUBJECT: Contracting Work Not Requiring Licensure
DATE: August 17, 2004
EXEMPT WORK NOT REQUIRING A CONTRACTOR LICENSE
There are several classifications of work that are exempt from requiring a general or mechanical
contractor license. Among these are: fencing, landscaping, clearing, grubbing, debris removal,
hauling, irrigation, exterior recreational surfaces, golf course construction, signs or billboards,
carpet, non-permanent scaffolding, demolition, fiberglass work, and kitchen equipment, and
installation of commercial exhaust hoods. Fire suppression work related to exhaust hood work
should be inspected by the appropriate local authority having jurisdiction.
Furnishing and installing most equipment and machinery, regardless of the cost, no longer
requires a general or mechanical contractors? license. However, licensed contractors must be
utilized for any electrical, steam, gas, oil or water connections (essential to the operation of the
equipment or machinery), which exceed $5,000.
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Look at where you pulled the information from. That applies to commercial, and a bit to residential. Also, you have to have a business license in said city to do the work so what is exempt at the state level is not at the city level.

There is some overlap. but you get into a gray area when you take the IRC and add it to the mix.


Also, from chapter 11 of the Business Management and Law for Residential Builders says "Any person not otherwise licensed to perform the work, who offers to construct for regulated residential specialty work in excess of $200, must be registered as a specialty contractor."

c2500
 
Marc's Wally World

Marc's Wally World

You got to be kidding me.. working without a License is like driving without one.. I hope MARC doesn't do Electrical work for family and friends. IF he does, someone send them smoke detectors ASAP
 
BLACK4TRUCK said:
You got to be kidding me.. working without a License is like driving without one.. I hope MARC doesn't do Electrical work for family and friends. IF he does, someone send them smoke detectors ASAP
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well said I agree.:)
 
BLACK4TRUCK said:
You got to be kidding me.. working without a License is like driving without one.. I hope MARC doesn't do Electrical work for family and friends. IF he does, someone send them smoke detectors ASAP
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William1978 said:
well said I agree.:)
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Well if it is the Marc I assume it is, he lives in an area that does not have any licensing and as far as his skill I am sure he is in the top 5% of ECs.

I would trade a handful of run of the mill masters for one unlicensed Marc. :)
 
I was a little confused by that one too. I figured there was another Marc in this behemoth of a thread that was being referred to. I wonder if the guy realizes that licensing isn't required in all areas?

Right now I'm working on a job that doesn't require a license at all.
 
I agee with OP

I agee with OP

I can see both sides of this. Licencing does not make someone qualified but can't hurt to be on the side of the law. Getting back to the OP, the real issue is work being done without an inspection. How many jobs on Craigslist do you think pull permits? Hey, I've seen flip my house on tv, I can take that wall out. (What do you mean by load bearing wall?) I have a whole box of #14 romex to finish the Kitchen plugs and deck lights outside. (The outlets are all 15amps so I know it's safe.) :rolleyes:
 
S'mise said:
I can see both sides of this. Licencing does not make someone qualified but can't hurt to be on the side of the law. Getting back to the OP, the real issue is work being done without an inspection. How many jobs on Craigslist do you think pull permits? Hey, I've seen flip my house on tv, I can take that wall out. (What do you mean by load bearing wall?) I have a whole box of #14 romex to finish the Kitchen plugs and deck lights outside. (The outlets are all 15amps so I know it's safe.) :rolleyes:
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The house flipppers, are already short a few brain cells, so when they do electrical work, it is usually wire for fire.
 
Get what you pay for

Get what you pay for

Thats true. But we live in a (almost) free country. What do you do have the FBI follow these people and report them to the AHJ for not pulling permits?
I guess it comes down to getting what you pay for and being able to sleep at night that your house is not going to catch fire. How about a public service advisery that warns people that their HO policy will not cover them for having illeagal work done? Oh never mind, taxpayers can just bail them out for defalting. I rather pay a few bucks to make sure things are done safely by someone who knows what they are doing.
 
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