unlicensed contracting

Over the years, I can’t recall how many times I’ve been called to help or fix a situation where the client has hired and, in most cases, paid someone else to do work on their home or building that was left incomplete or done so poorly that it posed a life safety issue or, at the least, failed to meet their expectations.

And in almost every case, the client either didn’t check licensure status or knowingly hired an unlicensed person to do the work. So many times we hear the stories from friends, neighbors, and even relatives talking about the “CONTRACTOR” who did poor work or took their money and never returned.

The keyword here is CONTRACTOR.  It’s a pet peeve of mine since those of us who are licensed contractors, know what that actually means. It means never-ending and continuing education.  It means experience.  It means licensing.  It means having expensive insurance policies and overhead.  And it also means having a legitimate business that is held accountable. 

So often we hear the word “contractor” or “unlicensed contractor” used by the media and others, when, in fact, what they should say an individual is “posing as a contractor,” since they are really not anything at all!  Especially NOT a contractor.

​Every year there are stories where someone has posed as a doctor or health specialist. They are almost always arrested and no one ever calls them “illegal doctors.”  They are always referred to as “posing as a doctor.” 
​
So today’s tip is:  If you need a contractor, make sure they are licensed and have up-to-date insurance.  Be sure to check their background.  This can easily be done online!

You wouldn’t hire a doctor off of Craigslist so why would you do that for your business or home?