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[growler]

He might just be stupid. I have subbed work out to lots of stupid people over the years who were properly insured and received a 1099 from me. You don't need comp on yourself if you're the only guy; at least not in my state. Just GL.

Are you saying that you don't need it or that it's not required by law? There is a big difference. It's not required by law here but that doesn't mean you don't need it.

If you sub to a company and that company/individual doesn't carry workman's comp then you are next in line to be sued if he or one of his employees is injured on the job.

If you do carry workman's comp. and the people that you sub to don't carry it then you must pay for their insurance.

Workman's comp insurance is the deal made to keep the employer or contractor from being sued. It's not really to protect the employee but the employeer.

 

[mdshunk]

Are you saying that you don't need it or that it's not required by law? There is a big difference. It's not required by law here but that doesn't mean you don't need it.

If you sub to a company and that company/individual doesn't carry workman's comp then you are next in line to be sued if he or one of his employees is injured on the job.

If you do carry workman's comp. and the people that you sub to don't carry it then you must pay for their insurance.

Workman's comp insurance is the deal made to keep the employer or contractor from being sued. It's not really to protect the employee but the employeer.

Here's what I'm talking about... if I sub to a "one man band" (such as these 40 dollar an hour guys are likely to be) he is not required to have comp on himself, and I would gain no additional protection by insisting that he have comp on himself.

 

[celtic]

Are you serious or just being contrary?

Advertising is NOT news. Call your paper and ask what THEIR policy is. I doubt it's very different than around here or anywhere else.

I'm serious.
You think the papers give a frozen rats poop either way ["news" or advertising].

"All the news that fit to print"
"They wouldn't print it if it wasn't true"

...and all that.

Add the sensational headlines....it's all advertising wrapped up as "news"...if you want to believe otherwise ~ don't let me stop you.

That makes for great advertising!

That stunning image of the President was selected for no reason?
...and this is FRONT PAGE "news" in NYC???


Getting back to actual advertising, I see ads every day from folks offering EC services w/o the required [by the State] license info.
The GC's, bath remodelers, etc same story. They are required to include their Home Improvement Contractors number in ALL advertising.
Do they?
Most do not
Some claim they are "licensed" - however the State of NJ has NO licensing requirements, tests, or certificates for HIC's...only a "registration".

...and you what?

The newspapers are not going to turn away advertising dollars because someone in the construction field did not include a HIC/EC/PC number....it is not the papers responsibility to check.

 

[growler]

The newspapers are not going to turn away advertising dollars because someone in the construction field did not include a HIC/EC/PC number....it is not the papers responsibility to check.

They could run a full page add in the phone book to do electrical work and not have a license. I don't know of anyone that's ever done it but I have never been asked to show a license, just money. You don't even need a business line to advertise anymore you can advertise a home phone or cell phone.

 

[satcom]

You don't even need a business line to advertise anymore you can advertise a home phone or cell phone.

If you use a home phone or cell phone, you will not be listed in the national directory, so a customer calling information will never find you.

 

[growler]

Here's what I'm talking about... if I sub to a "one man band" (such as these 40 dollar an hour guys are likely to be) he is not required to have comp on himself, and I would gain no additional protection by insisting that he have comp on himself.

Ok Marc, you sub to a one man band and that's OK but what if he brings his brother-in-law out to help him on Saturday. When you sub you relinquish control over the work. The brother-in-law falls off a ladder because he is drunk ( common in electrical work ). This guy's widow sues the sub first but he doesn't have a pot nor a window so who is next in line to pay the piper.

Subbing work does not relieve you of all responsibility and that's why most general contractors won't let you on the job without insurance (WC) either provided by you or them.

I don't care what anyone does but this is what they should think about before doing it.

 

[growler]

If you use a home phone or cell phone, you will not be listed in the national directory, so a customer calling information will never find you.

I have had a business line for many years but my statement is that it's not required anymore. I have found that there are cell phones used to advertise these days.

When I started you still needed a business line. Things have changed.

 

[ramsy]

My observation finds our regional paper addressing liability with a disclaimer warning, next to the home improvement section. It states the basic State licensing requirements, then warns its not their job to verify credentials. Our advertising commerce has learned to let others sort out the crooks, so everybody is on the honor system.

Reminds me of a visiting British citizen who described US commerce to me as "lawless." He discussed a striking difference between his republic who proudly abide by their laws to differentiate the thugs, and Americans who proudly break laws to differentiate their liberty, financing enforcement only against the poor.

Until very recently we the poor people could never beat the largest political contributors at their own game. This time we outspent them 3 to 1, but if this one-time mistake by McCain Feingold can't happen again, then perhaps battling the conservative-honor system is here to stay.

 

[Rewire]

As a one man show what expenses do you really have that you would not have as an employee? As a business you can now use those expenses to offset income.If you are working for $20.00/hr that works out to around $41,000 yr for a forty hr week now you become self employed charging $40.00/hr even at just 5 hrs per day that works out to $52,000 yr or $11,000 more than you were making working for someone else.

 

[electricdave]

wow that guys expensive! he must be really good.

 

[ce2two]

Speaking of workers comp. in california that's a big joke to say the least...If you get hurt on the job in calif..bend over ,your screwed ..thank our goverment for that...been there done that ? YOU will need a lawyer right from the start ..trust me ..good luck..

 

[480sparky]

As a one man show what expenses do you really have that you would not have as an employee? As a business you can now use those expenses to offset income.If you are working for $20.00/hr that works out to around $41,000 yr for a forty hr week now you become self employed charging $40.00/hr even at just 5 hrs per day that works out to $52,000 yr or $11,000 more than you were making working for someone else.

Now deduct things like insurance (general liability as well as health), licensing, vehicle expenses, utilites, advertising, bonds, permits, tools, ............

 

[Rewire]

Now deduct things like insurance (general liability as well as health), licensing, vehicle expenses, utilites, advertising, bonds, permits, tools, ............

Vehicle expenses you would have as an employee as well as utilities,most guys have their own tools,many small jobs dont need a permit and $11,000 would cover insurance and bonds which also reduces your tax liability and newspaper adds would also be covered,sad but true you can make it as a one man show on $ 40.00 hr ,just need the wife to have a good job.

 

[480sparky]

Vehicle expenses you would have as an employee as well as utilities,most guys have their own tools,many small jobs dont need a permit and $11,000 would cover insurance and bonds which also reduces your tax liability and newspaper adds would also be covered,sad but true you can make it as a one man show on $ 40.00 hr ,just need the wife to have a good job.

I'm not talking about the hand tools in your pouch. Hole Hogs. Hammer drills. Sawzall. A plethora of ladders. At least 3 benders. Extension cords. How many temp poles do you have?

Unless you want to permanently limit yourself to residential, you're going to need to invest in some big-bux tools. Suppose you need to bend 2" Rigid? Pull 750' of 350s?

How can you compare personal vehicle expenses to a company vehicle? Unless you live 100 miles from the shop, you're driving the company vehicle far more than a personal one.

 

[electricalperson]

I would do some research and find out if he is violating any licensing or insurance laws in your state. If so, he should be reported...

hey i just found you a new avatar

maybe the guy is just trying to make some extra money for christmas for his family?

im willing to bet the guys a licensed electrician and wants to do sidework

 

[satcom]

hey i just found you a new avatar

maybe the guy is just trying to make some extra money for christmas for his family?

im willing to bet the guys a licensed electrician and wants to do sidework

And if he is operating illegal then he is hurting my family and my christmas, I would turn him in and feel good about it.

 

[electricalperson]

And if he is operating illegal then he is hurting my family and my christmas, I would turn him in and feel good about it.

well i dont know what you charge but im sure you are not one of the cheap guys. if somebody calls an electrician that was advertised in the paper for 40 an hour then to me the customer does not want to spend a lot of money. so if he called you and asked what you charged he probably wouldnt do it anyway

 

[emahler]

well i dont know what you charge but im sure you are not one of the cheap guys. if somebody calls an electrician that was advertised in the paper for 40 an hour then to me the customer does not want to spend a lot of money. so if he called you and asked what you charged he probably wouldnt do it anyway

yet everyone paid $4/gal for gas...people will pay what the market tells them to pay...this notion that the customer creates the market is typically false...

 

[steelersman]

As long as he's insured and has a licence who cares. If he is willing to work for 16 or 18 bucks an hour after all said and done good for him. At least he's out there trying to work and not living off of the wellfare system. Sometimes you gotta do whatever it takes to put food on the table.

If I were desperate I would pull romex laying on my stomach through an insulated attic all day wearing only my shorts for $7.00 an hour if it meant my kids would eat.

alright, you've crossed the line. I would never do that. That's extreme. I'd break the law before I'd do that. Bottom line for me is I can't afford to take a pay cut. So I'd have to figure something else out. I'd leave society and retreat to the wilderness (what's left of it anyway) and live out the rest of my existence off the land before I'd lay in an attic in shorts for $7/hr. But I get your point.

 

[bradleyelectric]

Until very recently we the poor people could never beat the largest political contributors at their own game. This time we outspent them 3 to 1, but if this one-time mistake by McCain Feingold can't happen again, then perhaps battling the conservative-honor system is here to stay.

You've got to be joking or ....