Licensing requirements for painting contractors

20793 Views 35 Replies 17 Participants Last post by RCP, Nov 29, 2008

chipster

Discussion Starter · Jan 20, 2008

What are your states licensing requirements for painting contractors?

I have had a home improvement license for 10 years in my state. I was looking at some of the long time established big boys in my area who run full page ads in the yellow pages who advertise for large commercial and residential projects with multiple crews and they are not licensed with the state. I am wondering if they found a loop hole to get out of it. My renewal payment is coming up and I hate it.

1 - 20 of 36 Posts

vermontpainter

· #2 · Jan 20, 2008

Hey ********

I believe the PDCA website has a whole state by state breakdown on that stuff. I'll see if I can scare up a link for ya.

ProWallGuy

· #3 · Jan 20, 2008

Click here for all state license requirements. If I remember correctly, you were in D.C. The site shows that D.C., VA, and MD don't require licenses for paint contractors.

chipster

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 20, 2008 (Edited)

According to the Maryland Home Improvement Commission a home improvement is any repair, replacement, remodeling or modernization of a home or property. The home improvement commission requires contractors who perform the work classifications listed below to obtain home improvement licenses: (this list is not all inclusive)

Additions Railings, Acid Cleaning, roofing, Awnings, bathrooms, sidewalks, boilers, siding, bricklayers, skylights bulkheads, stairs, burglar alarms, sod, cabinet installations, stucco, carports, sundecks, doors, pools, drywall, tile excavating, Terrazza, Exterior cleaning, vanities, fences, wallpaper, fireplaces, windows, Floorlaying / refinishing, garages, painting, paneling, plastering, porch enclosures, ECT.

timhag

· #5 · Jan 20, 2008

Contractors are not licensed in Pennsylvania,You will need a certificate or license to perform asbestos abatement work in Pennsylvania

chipster

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 20, 2008

timhag said:
Contractors are not licensed in Pennsylvania,You will need a certificate or license to perform asbestos abatement work in Pennsylvania

Are you talking about painting contractors or all types?

timhag

· #7 · Jan 20, 2008

******** said:
Are you talking about painting contractors or all types?

All types from a to z minus asbestos abatement.

chipster

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 20, 2008

Amazing how states close together have such a vastly different bureaucratic system. Low tax Deleware, tax you till you bleed Maryland.

chrisn

· #9 · Jan 20, 2008

and MD don't require licenses for paint contractors.

Definintly not true

tax you till you bleed Maryland.

Definitely true.

bikerboy

· #10 · Jan 20, 2008

You can get away without a license in Maryland because they take a re-active aprroach to enforcement. In other words, you need to get caught. I sent yellow page ads with un-licensed contractors circled. The response I received was that don't have the time or personel to check them out. (all I did was look the so called contractors up on MHIC's website) They wait until a homeowner has a problem. Looking for unlicensed contractors, as easy as it is, means more work.
Now the business I took over had been un-licensed for over 50 years. Got a license because it helps sell the business to the type of clients I want. Some of the paint stores will not recommend you unless you are licensed. (of course they are lying. spend enough and they will throw the work your way) Most of the custom home builders will not use you unless you are licensed (at least the ones I met who actually are good pay).
The short version.....you don't need no stinkin license! (if you get caught, small fine) Save your money.

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vermontpainter

· #11 · Jan 20, 2008

My state does not require licensing. When I talk (here and elsewhere) with guys from other states that do require licenses, I dont quite understand what to the big deal is. One person I spoke with was all upset because he had purchased his license from the state for $200 and no one else was in compliance. I responded, wow what a great way to distinguish yourself from the rest of the pack at a pretty low price. You can't buy advertising like that.

Rich

· #12 · Jan 20, 2008

vermontpainter said:
I dont quite understand what to the big deal is. One person I spoke with was all upset because he had purchased his license from the state for $200 and no one else was in compliance

yeah, it's just a tax thing...it doesn't mean you are a better painter than someone else who is not "licensed", but it does mean you're a better citizen for following the law and not dodging the system

my take on it is that you don't have to like a law to follow it

vermontpainter

· #13 · Jan 20, 2008

Rich said:
yeah, it's just a tax thing...it doesn't mean you are a better painter than someone else who is not "licensed", but it does mean you're a better citizen for following the law and not dodging the system

my take on it is that you don't have to like a law to follow it

True, and I would think that the fact that you are in compliance would suggest a sense of credibility...

RCP

· #14 · Jan 20, 2008

Utah requirements:
2 years verifiable experience by W2, not 1099
Pass 50 question Legal Test
Pass 50 question Trade Test
Show and keep Liability Insurance
Workmans Comp
DBA
FEIN
No Jugements or felony convicions
Pay into Lein Recovery Fund
Pay 450 for License yearly
8 hours continuing education yearly
City License
County License
Fail to keep any of these and you lose your license!
State DOPl has a site you can check licenses and citations.
If I remember right, Arizona, California and Nevada have similar requirements and are considered "reciprocal states".
I do believe the requirements and enforcement keep things level, the guys who don't conform do not last too long.
A lot also depends on the state, rules are no good without compliance and enforcing.
I know when I show a customer my folder with documentation it looks professional.

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jackrabbit5

· #15 · Jan 20, 2008

Iowa has no lisencing per se, however all contractors are required to be "registered" with the state. The fee is $25 and is valid for 2 years I believe.

bikerboy

· #16 · Jan 20, 2008

vermontpainter said:
One person I spoke with was all upset because he had purchased his license from the state for $200 and no one else was in compliance. I responded, wow what a great way to distinguish yourself from the rest of the pack at a pretty low price. You can't buy advertising like that.

I agree with you. It is a great way to seperate yourself. In Maryland to get your license, you have to have insurance, (extra cost) demonstrate credit worthyness (x- amount of assets) or get bonded. Which for many is a huge impediment. But for the discriminating consumer, it makes the difference. It is amazing how many comments I receive because a copy of my license and insurance is included in a presentation packet.

atdcontracting

· #17 · Nov 26, 2008

Comparing some other posts here, other than Utah, we are getting hosed in Oregon. Residential Licenses have various levels and commercial have various levels. A test is required but no questions on the test really relate to any particular trade.

Cost is 260.00 for two years.
Your license can cover either residential and/or commercial at the various levels.
Insurance is required in different coverages depending upon the level of license one gets.
A bond is required for each of the license types.

My license is residential general contractor and commercial specialty level 2. Commercial license allows me to perform 2 trade on commercial projects over 12K Sqft & over 20' tall and 250K in total project cost. Insurance requirements are 500K as an aggregate total and I am required to have a bond in the amount of 20K for each of the license types.

Insurance and bonding requirements go up higher with commerical GC's and developers.

Even though there are plenty of laws in place to prevent unlicensed folks from performing work or advertising, the contractors board does little about it.

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johnthepainter

· #18 · Nov 26, 2008

there are many many licensed painting contractors that do hack work.

i dont see how this would set you apart from the rest.

dont let a piece of paper go to your head.

love you guys

ewingpainting.net

· #19 · Nov 26, 2008 (Edited)

high fibre said:
there are many many licensed painting contractors that do hack work.

i dont see how this would set you apart from the rest.

dont let a piece of paper go to your head.

love you guys

And oh ya

Cost
I don't know how it is in your state. In the state of California if the HO decides to not pay you,

In California if a home owner uses a unlic contractor, they are only liable for paying them for 500 bucks. So if you did a job for 1500 bucks, they could hand you 500 and tell you to take a hike and the courts will back them up.
Love you back

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bikerboy

· #20 · Nov 26, 2008

high fibre said:
there are many many licensed painting contractors that do hack work.

i dont see how this would set you apart from the rest.

dont let a piece of paper go to your head.

love you guys

You must be unlicensed. Not smart enough to pass? Hiding something? I don't personally care. Get lots of good paying jobs because we are licensed. Jobs you could not if you are not. That seperates us from the wanna be's

Maybe you are a better painter. I can walk on jobs that you couldn't get in the door. In Maryland, it's worth the investment. Specially if you want to grow. If you don't, more power to you.

Love ya back! (big hug)

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