Rude to ask for repairman's license and insurance

In my state, contracting without a license is a felony. Evening offering to do the work, where no money changes hands, or work is done, is considered to be contracting. They actively seek out these guys, having a list of them on the six o'clock news just like the murderers. And yet, there's never a shortage of them.

Steve

Reply to
SteveB
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If their first impression left me in doubt that they're LB&I I wouldn't use them, even if they are...

And as has been suggested, they should have that documentation at hand.

But it would be an error to interpret that alone as any measure of honesty or competence.

Any legitimate business is registered with the state, which is -very- easy to check in MT via the Secretary of State's website. YMMV. I usually find additional interesting information there too, such as the same person/s control two directly competitive businesses. -----

- gpsman

Reply to
gpsman

Yes, there are a lot of poor businessmen and scamsters out there who are licensed, bonded, and insured.

In Las Vegas, recently, Purrfect Auto Repair has been under investigation by the State AG office for ripping off customers. And I mean for big money, and for a long time. I know this company has been in business for nearly ten years at their location near my home.

Point is, they are still going, and it took a long long long time to do anything about it. Right now, they are "under investigation" and doing business as busy as ever. And lots of time, if you call, and ask some governmental agency about a company, or even the BBB, their reply is, "I'm sorry, we cannot divulge that information."

Being licensed, bonded, and insured don't mean shit. Any smart scamster knows how to successfully tap dance within the lines. And there's always plenty of suckers, new business, and clueless homeowners to keep them plenty busy.

"Oh, look, Honey! There's a handyman van. Did you get the phone number?"

Friends and family and neighbors of mine know I'm a handyman DIYer type, and they bug the shit out of me all the time to do things. Many times, I relent, but it's stuff I know I can do, and nothing that requires a contractor. I WON'T tell people I weld. Point is, anyone who is halfassed good at all can go get work.

For our state, it goes something like this: If you work by the hour, you're a handyman. If you say you'll do the job for $200, you're a contractor. This is loosely enforced in my state for repairmen until they get to the point of doing major work. The State Contractor's Board has changed the reading so that "anything that permanently attaches to the house, or is part of the systems within the house" requires a contractor. But, still, they won't bother the licensed handymen who install fans, or unstick disposals, or install new ones, although it clearly falls within the lines of their laws. And then, no one cares until you start taking the big jobs, run into inspectors, or step on the toes of contractors by taking work they want.

Steve

Reply to
SteveB

If and when? Is the location of his business secret?

Reply to
Doc

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