Architecture - Help regarding using an unlicensed contractor in Washington DC.
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cavish2000
03-01-05, 01:32 PM
We just bought a house in DC that needs to be gutted. We used to live in Alexandria VA and used a contractor licensed there who did wonderful work for us. We would like to use him to do our new house but he is not licensed in DC. He wants the job and actually has the availability to do it in the time frame we want (which is another reason we would love to use him) but I am concerned about liability and permits. He indicated that we could pull all the permits as home owners and that since he is a licensed contractor in VA that his insurance would cover him and his team on site. He also mentioned that he has done work in DC many time before and understands and knows all the codes – that if anything he did didn’t pass inspection he would of course fix what ever he didn’t do correctly in the eyes of the DC inspector – and obviously we would write this into a contract….Is this uncommon? Is it not so out of the ordinary to hire an unlicensed contractor if you have worked with him in the state he is licensed in…and been completely happy? How horrible and time consuming will getting the permits ourselves be? What about insurance?
pgtek
03-02-05, 05:06 AM
hi
not sure his insurance would covert it.
But i think you can purchase a building insurance from a insurance company for the time of building.
cheers
pg
not sure his insurance would covert it.
But i think you can purchase a building insurance from a insurance company for the time of building.
cheers
pg
USTguy
03-02-05, 05:36 PM
Municipalities have instituted laws requiring contractors to have local licenses for many reasons; yes, the fees charged, anywhere from $5 to $500 depending on locale and type of contractor, helps feed the general budget, but the license application itself is protection for the homeowner because the license application requires the contractor to produce proof of insurance, tax ID numbers, corporation papers, and allows for background checks. These laws requiring a local license are hated by contractors and considered a pain in the neck but they mainly protect the consumer. These laws are not swords that cut, they are shields that protect. That said, many municipalities have serious fines and penalities for using an unlicensed contractor. Using an unlicensed contractor is a violation of local law, and in some locales carries fines up to $5000 and numerous collateral court costs.
Pulling permits is for the most part pretty painless; it usually centers around the type of work being performed and having all the plans, sketches and etc in order, but again it's a local thing. Some cities can be user friendly and others let you get cobwebs and allow your hair to turn gray waiting and waiting. BUT every permit application and permit jacket I've filled out (I'm a UST, Underground Storage Tank contractor) has a line that asks "Responsible Party ______________ " and IMHO a contractor being paid with someone's good hard earned money should be proud and able enough to sign HIS OWN name. I believe it would be both improper and unprofessional to have a homeowner pull permits for me. I'd never ask and wouldn't accept an offer.
My advice is to contact your local building department and speak with an official who can answer all your questions about the possible problems and penalities you may encounter by allowing an unlicensed contractor to perform work on your home in your city.
Pulling permits is for the most part pretty painless; it usually centers around the type of work being performed and having all the plans, sketches and etc in order, but again it's a local thing. Some cities can be user friendly and others let you get cobwebs and allow your hair to turn gray waiting and waiting. BUT every permit application and permit jacket I've filled out (I'm a UST, Underground Storage Tank contractor) has a line that asks "Responsible Party ______________ " and IMHO a contractor being paid with someone's good hard earned money should be proud and able enough to sign HIS OWN name. I believe it would be both improper and unprofessional to have a homeowner pull permits for me. I'd never ask and wouldn't accept an offer.
My advice is to contact your local building department and speak with an official who can answer all your questions about the possible problems and penalities you may encounter by allowing an unlicensed contractor to perform work on your home in your city.