What If ?

[growler]

If the guy is this bad -- turning him in will only be temporary --he'll find someone to pull his permits and most municipalities aren't gonna get into policing workers.

I agree that it's hard to stop people like this and that he can probably find someone to permit for him but this is where you can get them.

People that are used to working without permits are also used to cutting corners to cut cost. Let him get someone to permit for him and then if he wants to keep trying to give work away then let him suffer the loss.

In this area permit fees are not high so the amount of money saved by not permitting is negligible. The real money is saved by doing less than would be normally required for a safe and compliant job.

I looked at a small job not long ago where they would have to tear everything out and start over to pass inspection and that's the type of thing that can run someone out of business. This contractor had already collected and spent the money so those repairs would have been out of pocket. He would have been burned good on that one and it's his own fault.

 

[LarryFine]

That's not how I take it. I've just been fighting the issue with my self.

As Berta on 3-1/2 Men would say, "How's that workin' for ya?" :wink:

 

[c2500]

Not sure how you do it up in NC, but here in SC I would notify the building department. If work was going on, they would stop in and pay a visit. They require permits to be pulled and a whole big stink would blow up because of the license issue. This can all be done without revealing your identity. I will say the city here is far more diligent than the county.

I carry a residential license myself. Due to an oddity in state law, I can legally do up to $5000 of commercial work. Don't know if NC has the same type law.

c2500

 

[ceb58]

You have a friend of 5 years that is licensed for residential only.
But you have to bid against them all the time on commercial jobs. And they seem to be charging almost half what I would charge.
And they don't get permits.:-?

All you have to do is look at the latest newsletter from NCIEEBC there were several that got "nailed" for doing what you are talking about. You put the time and effort in to obtaining your lim.,intermed. or unlimited (which ever one you hold) he didn't. He opted for SFD. He must not be that good of a friend if he is has his hand in your wallet all the time.

 

[roger]

For clarification, I vote to report him.

Charlietuna, most of NC does a pretty good job of going after violators (from what I have heard I don't think FL does) and if he get's someone else to pull permits for them, they can also be reported.

Here are some recent cases staring on page 4

Roger

 

[roger]

All you have to do is look at the latest newsletter from NCIEEBC there were several that got "nailed" for doing what you are talking about. You put the time and effort in to obtaining your lim.,intermed. or unlimited (which ever one you hold) he didn't. He opted for SFD. He must not be that good of a friend if he is has his hand in your wallet all the time.

Hello Curtis, are you going to the electrical institute?

Roger

 

[mivey]

friend, acquaintance, or real friend?

If he is approachable, maybe you can help him out as some have suggested (advising, tutoring, etc). Some people can't be helped by what we have to offer and must be dealt with in other ways.

If you had a friend that was stealing, doing drugs, alcoholic, etc would you try to counsel them first? I had to have a friend committed before he finally got his life straight, but I did try counseling first. Unfortunately, I just did not have the skills/resources to help him on my own.

Of course, there are times when it is best to mind your own business, but sometimes I step on toes and bring down karma on my head. Speaking of karma: maybe when I die, on my deathbed, I will receive total consciousness. So I might have that goin' for me, which would be nice.

 

[iwire]

If he committed a crime such as rape or murder, would you turn a blind eye just because he's a friend?

For me that would likely depend on who was murdered. :wink:

 

[brian john]

For me that would likely depend on who was murdered. :wink:

I second that.

 

[nakulak]

well there ya go, just kill him. then you're even.

 

[ceb58]

Hello Curtis, are you going to the electrical institute?

Roger

No, I wont make it this year. But there are times I feel I need to be in a institute:grin: Hope to see you in the hills this summer.

 

[Local Electrician]

I carry a residential license myself. Due to an oddity in state law, I can legally do up to $5000 of commercial work. Don't know if NC has the same type law.

c2500

Carolinas Residential License is single family dwelling only.


Looks like in the responses, every body is thinking about the same.

 

[220/221]

It looks like every one's opinion is one sided so far.

I will go against the grain.

Ever hear the term "mind your own business"? There's a reason for that saying. I think it's best to focus on your business.

If he committed a crime such as rape or murder, would you turn a blind eye just because he's a friend?

Come on now. Equating this with rape and murder? You need to exercise some judgement. All "crimes" are not created equal.

 

[roger]

All "crimes" are not created equal.

Doesn't matter, I'd still report him and if the OP want's to PM me, I handle it for him.

Roger

 

[220/221]

Yeah. Some people are like that.


I believe in karma to some degree and I am no where near perfect enough to pull something like that.

 

[roger]

I believe in karma to some degree and I am no where near perfect enough to pull something like that.

I'm sorry, maybe you should try harder.

Roger

 

[mivey]

Doesn't matter, I'd still report him and if the OP want's to PM me, I handle it for him.

Roger

For some reason, I just pictured Jim Carrey in a cock-eyed stance, flashing a badge. "That's right! Roger Ventura...permit detective"

 

[roger]

For some reason, I just pictured Jim Carrey in a cock-eyed stance, flashing a badge. "That's right! Roger Ventura...permit detective"

Nah, it would have to be "license control enforcer".:wink:

I don't really care about permits if the party pulling them (or not) is properly licensed to do the work.

The real problem is as mentioned earlier, if this person wants to do this work why didn't he/she take and pass the exam that would allow them to do this work legally?

Sounds to me like they couldn't which means it's over their ability.

Roger

 

[growler]

I believe in karma to some degree and I am no where near perfect enough to pull something like that.

I tend not to believe in Karma, in my life I will admit to having been punished for my good deeds but I have never been punished for a bad one.

I think it's more a matter of planning. If I'm going to do something bad I tend to plan more but good deeds I would do on the spur of the moment.

So I think Karma is nothing more than stupidity catching up with you. :grin:

 

[cadpoint]

If the guy is this bad -- turning him in will only be temporary --he'll find someone to pull his permits and most municipalities aren't gonna get into policing workers. I have seen this same situation, along with the illegal opposition installing work not meeting building specs and sometimes against local codes. But i made some money fixing his mistakes and little by little the customers ran him off!!!

I can't speak for the board officially, but that not how our State Board works here. They take every complaint very seriously!

This is a licensed person that is working beyond their means (per the OP) and not being inspected. One can read the Bi-Yearly remarks in the NCBEEC.ORG of people that have done the same, and their individual rewards to doing such.

I frankly won't want Mike Wallace or the Board showing up at my door!