In search of panel Cover

[SEO]

I'll look this weekend I may have one in the shop. But I agree unless there is specific reason to keep the Zinsco panel you could change to a new 100A panel and have new equipment. I ran into a problem with a Zinsco panel, I got a call from a customer stating that when the wind blew she lost the circuit to her living room. This was the only circuit affected. Went to job and sure enough circuit was dead, circuit breaker was on, I turned off and reset circuit breaker problem went away. I installed another Zinsco breaker just to make sure it wasn't a defective breaker checked circuit and left. Got another call stating that the same thing was occuring . Went back opened cover and circuit came back on. Removed circuit breakers checked buss for burns, looked good, to make a long story short what I found was that the al buss had a dead spot where the breaker made contact. It appeared to be in good shape. I turned off main breaker removed all breakers on buss where problematic breaker was and used ohmmeter one lead at top of buss and went down bus checking for continuity with other lead. When I got to where faulty circuit was no continuity. Changed panel problem went away. I still have old panel and buss looks perfect but still no continuity on one side. May have been able to clean (buss is al)or us nolux on buss but Zinsco equip is obsolete in our area and a new panel would be cheaper than many service calls to install bandaids. As far as the wind causing problem it was just a coincidence.

 

[normbac]

Here is a large well stocked bone yard they will ship it. 951-683-7998

 

[bkludecke]

I've got a bunch of those covers in the shed (never throw that stuff away). $10.00 come & get it. PM me for details.

 

[brian john]

We use a local sheet metal specialty shop to make any strange covers we need.

 

[jrannis]

I'll have them make the $80 check directly to you, if you put your company sticker on that.

Ingenuous homemade solutions for tools is one thing, but in this case resetting the breakers would rip that cardboard right out the panel, much less impress fire investigators without listed sticker/breaker sizes on that cover. That is one way to remove this world of hack operators in a hurry.

Hack operators?
Pot calling the kettle black Roger?
I checked out your website nofixnopay.info and I see you are a handyman that requires your customers to pull owner permits

 

[ramsy]

Pot calling the kettle black Roger?
I checked out your website nofixnopay.info and I see you are a handyman that requires your customers to pull owner permits

Yes, my State won't let me test for a license before getting another year of experience vouchers. My State license board has cracked down on contractor apps. Want another 4yrs, beyond 8000hr JW cert., before C-10 testing is authorized. Could have bean an IAEI inspector 3 years ago.

My website invoice/contract template was developed with the help of my State licensing board and enforcement division SWIFT. Every publication must state: "Not licensed over $500." This year I canceled 3 customers who refused permits, my customers know they don't pay if I break the law, I squeak clean.

 

[peter d]

Yes, my State won't let me test for a license before getting another year of experience vouchers. My State license board has cracked down on contractor apps. Want another 4yrs, beyond 8000hr JW cert., before C-10 testing is authorized.

So if I'm reading that right, it will take 8 years of proven experience to get a C-10?

Gee, that won't encourage unlicensed contracting. :roll: Or cause an exodus of would-be contractors to flee California.

 

[ramsy]

Owner/Builder or Self employed experience is harder to prove than experience from contractor employers.
http://forums.mikeholt.com/showpost.php?p=802320&postcount=11

 

[jrannis]

http://www.cslb.ca.gov/Resources/FormsAndApplications/ApplicationForOriginalContractorsLicense.pdf
Check out page 10.
It looks like almost anyone can sign off on work experience

 

[ramsy]

The certifier can be an employer, fellow employee, journeyman, union representative, contractor, business associate, or a client if the applicant is/was self-employed. This form will help CSLB determine whether the qualifier has the experience necessary to become a capable, qualified contractor.

The certifier must have direct knowledge of the qualifier’s experience during the time period listed. ..not hearsay ..must certify a demonstrated level of knowledge and skills expected of a journeyman or better

That was just revised in Mar-2008, some new info here. There is also a Q&A that describes two signatures required for self-employed operators, but thanks for looking at that a bit closer. It appears, I could ask at least one GC to certify me for some recent remodel work.

 

[ramsy]

The previous "signatures" for self-employed qualifier has been replaced with "documentation" --including invoices-- and clarifies up to eight-years verifiable experience. I'm on track for next year. http://www.cslb.ca.gov/Journeymen/JourneymenFAQ.asp

Q. I worked for myself since I was 16 years old. I am now 21. Does that qualify for four years of journeyman experience?

A. Provided you submit verifiable evidence that you worked full-time for the last four years, you may qualify, depending on the trade. Verifiable evidence includes, but is not limited to invoices, income tax reports, 1099s, and copies of contracts. If you were paid in cash and kept no records and filed no taxes, it will be difficult for you to prove you actually did any work.

An important aspect of being a journeyman ready to be a contractor is knowing how a business is run and demonstrating that knowledge whether you are licensed or not. Depending on the trade, you also need to prove 1-4 years of apprentice experience in addition to the four years of journeyman time.

 

[bauler]

Ramsy, you are probably violating California law by doing electrical work without a license. If I remember right any job that requires a permit requires a license, unless the homeowner does it himself or through his employees. Doesn't sound like your are an employee of the homeowner. The handyman exemption allows you to do work under $500, materials and labor, can not be part of a larger job, permittted jobs.

The Contractors Board has recently come down hard on "Swimming Pool Consultants". Ruled they are contractors.

Recommend you get licensed, or quit while you are ahead. It could make it hard to get a license later.

 

[jrannis]

Sorry,
It did sound kind of out there. Skirting the laws.

 

[ramsy]

No No folks,

With a Municipal business license most city's accept a simple letter giving me power of attorney to p/u permits. Some want it notarized, but my city doesn't require any of that. They have published their own form specifically for handyman permits. Lookie here:
http://www.cityoffullerton.com/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=2108

Further, CSLB (my lic. board) (CBPC ?7027.2) does not require handymen to count permit or engineering costs toward the $500 limit.

Granted the CSLB does not describe labor & tax laws. I've found US W2 employment is legally superior to 1099Misc for contractors keeping tax records. So, while CSLB "Experience vouchers are signed by GC's" any 1099Misc I get should only come from owners.

Ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law, but if the evidence shows you operated in good faith, small bus. sanctions are usually designed to encourage the necessary corrections, rather than put people out of business.

 

[bauler]

Rodger
Sorry you are totally wrong. From my law book, CA Contractors License Law and Reference Book, section 7048 of of the B & P Code does not allow you to aggregate a job into smaller pieces., and you must include all cost, i.e engineering, sales tax, permits, ect. Fullerton's form is for a owners employee or agent to get a permit. It doesn't allow an unlicensed person to do work as a contractor. You can't pick and choose the law the way you want.

Get your license or you might find yourself in one of those SWIFT stings being cuffed. If I remember right, you then have to wait a longer time to get your license, and you will already have a mark against you. Don't chance it.

Have you ever worked for an electrical contractor? If so, get an experience statement signed by your old boss, co-worker, inspector, accountantant, attorney, clergy, ....

Wish you luck.

 

[ramsy]

Get your license or you might find yourself in one of those SWIFT stings being cuffed. ..get an experience statement signed ..Wish you luck.

Thanks bauler, however, until my license board approves a test date, self-employment for JW's can be done legally. Also, SWIFT's actions against special-license JW's like me was clarified today by MSNBC undercover "HomeWreckers"
http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=103370

section 7048 of of the B & P Code does not allow you to aggregate a job into smaller pieces.

That's right, the market I service is mostly under 500 per call. A few jobs each year are referred to an old boss C-10, who then pays me 30hr.

Fullerton's form is for a owners employee or agent to get a permit. It doesn't allow an unlicensed person to do work as a contractor.

Handymen are treated as home owner employees in CA:
Cal Lab Code ? 3351 "whether contract/hire/lawfully/unlawfully employed"
Cal Lab Code ? 3352(h) "no workers comp. if < 52 hours in 90 days"

..and you must include all cost, i.e engineering, sales tax, permits, ect.

I agree CBPC 7048 use of "all other items" seams very broad. My invoices will be modified per your suggestions.

Cal Health & Saf Code ? 19825 & 19826 "Required declarations for building permit" provides the form with OWNER-BUILDER DECLARATION check boxes. Referencing Sec. 7044, Business and Professions Code: "The Contractors’ License Law does not apply to an owner of property who builds or improves thereon, and who does the work himself or herself or through his or her own employees, provided that the improvements are not intended or offered for sale." (within one year of completion)

This form also provides for the line item exception to workers comp., where Cal Lab Code ? 3352(h) would need to be cited by the Owner-Builder/employee.

 

[bauler]

Roger, I still say you are picking and choosing the law to fit what you believe is right. Contrary to what you said that the CSLB has no enforcement power there has been several of these people charged with felonies. Like if you do work in a declared disaster area you can be charged with a felony. Those guys that didn't show up for their hearing now have warrants out for their arrest. Any contact with a cop and they're going to jail. You are not talking about minor stuff like a licensed contractor not giving the HO the right form.

You know you can't sue a HO for non payment without a license. You could do all the work, no matter how large of amount, and the HO can just tell you to go pound sand.

I invite you to call the SWIFT office in Norwalk and ask them if what you are doing is legal. Their number is: (562) 345-7600

Can't you get your old boss with a c-10 license to sign an experience form, or fellow employees, etc. I added the c-10 license to my general B license about 4 years ago this way. Had a few people that knew of my experience sign one and then was issued a test date.

Here's a link to a guy in another forum that might be able to help you. He used to work for the contractors board.
Good luck.
http://www.contractortalk.com/showthread.php?t=32617

 

[ramsy]

Here's a link to a guy in another forum that might be able to help you. He used to work for the contractors board. Good luck.
http://www.contractortalk.com/showthread.php?t=32617

That is a very nice resource. Thank you for the link.

Like if you do work in a declared disaster area you can be charged with a felony. Those guys that didn't show up for their hearing now have warrants out for their arrest. Any contact with a cop and they're going to jail.

The Attorney General should extend this enforcement beyond disaster areas.

See Attorney General Opinion's
1) Exemption of persons entering into contracts for "clean-up" work from licensing requirements of "contractors". 29 Ops. Cal. Atty. Gen. 68.

2) Right of Contractors' State License Board to impose specific dollar limitation as aggregate single contract price which "fix-it" or handyman contractor may execute. 55 Ops. Cal. Atty. Gen. 138.

You know you can't sue a HO for non payment without a license. You could do all the work, no matter how large of amount, and the HO can just tell you to go pound sand.

Agreements:
Property leans are illegal without a contractor's Bond & license, and I believed such unlicensed-lean attempts provided SWIFT their only steady flow of convictions, before you mentioned the disaster-area stings.

While small claims court is available to me, the trouble would hardly be worth $500. Asking for more would give Judges no choice, but to drop the case for license violations.

Ironically, some owners hire me specifically because they don't want to risk a lean against their property. When they occasionally protest and pay less than invoice I eat crow, but I don't ask for seconds.

I invite you to call the SWIFT office in Norwalk and ask them if what you are doing is legal. Their number is: (562) 345-7600

Last year I asked SWIFT what to avoid when publishing ads without a license. Before helping me, they took my name, address, JW#, and municipal business license, so I should be on file.

Can't you get your old boss with a c-10 license to sign an experience form, or fellow employees, etc. I added the c-10 license to my general B license about 4 years ago this way. Had a few people that knew of my experience sign one and then was issued a test date.

Yes, everyone but my home local has signed off. The Business agents are afraid of the forms. But, you remind me JW's can also sign those forms, so I should not write off my union experience, or the signatures from future employment prospects.