No License

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mike12347

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PA
I have recently started my own business and for the most it?s going fairly well. My problem is, since I live in PA I?m unable to obtain any sort of license and I have no way to prove to my customers that I?m well qualified to do the work. I have 7yrs field experience and I?m primarily contracting residential work.
Any suggestions?
 
Mike, most of Pa have local license requirements. You have to be licensed in each and every municipality that you do work in. They are @$75-100 each township. It will get expensive every year in fees.

Philly has it own license requirements, and I think Reading and Pitts do too.

Where are you at in the state, some places have no requirements, and you don't even have permits to pull.
 
I'm near Pitts.
The only license I could find was for the city of pitts., but one of the requirements are that you worked for a pitts. licensed contractor for at least 2yrs and the company where I was previously employed didn't have one.
None of the municipalities in my area require anything.

This also harms my business because, I have to compete with dozens of do-it-all handymen that screw real contractors out of work.
 
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Do you have a Business License? (I would start there. For example, you would then be 'licensed' to conduct electrical business)

How about Business Insurance?

Have you thought of registering with the Chamber of Commerce?
 
Mike I am also located in PA and Yes it's pretty crazy about the types of contractors you are competting against. Most of the steel mills shut down, and the mines went away so now those former employees try to be self employeed electricians that work out of there old family car/truck. I looked into Mr. electric but this area is just so depressed and with the population on a steady decrease its really hard to say what will happen in the future. You might have to contact your local municipality on what license you will need and inspections. check out your local SBA they offer FREE consulting, but somtimes you get what you pay for. but i'm sure you will learn somthing.maybe even call a local contractor and tell them your there competitor and ask them a few questions. right them down. You might not even have to ask for the owner. maybe the secretary will tell you. but don't rely on that alone.
 
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