Carpenter hiring dilemna

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blassie - 30 Jun 2005 06:38 GMT

I intend to remodel a property I purchased recently. I'm experienced in
construction,
having built a couple of places in the past. I know what I'm doing.

I want to save some money and go the Owner-Builder route. I want to
hire a carpenter to
help me frame the place. I will need a drywaller to work with me also.
All of the mechanical
trades I can do with my step-sons help.

If I hire a carpenter, does he have to be licensed or can he simply be
a tradesman. I've got a
semi-retired guy in mind who's a really good carpenter, but that is all
he is. He isn't a
licensed contractor. I want him to work piece work, he says that's OK
with him. He seems to be
reluctant to take the job, for fear of working on a project without a
license.

I assured him I will be the owner and his employer. He will be my
employee. How can I convince
him that it's legal for him to help me frame this place? It doesn't
make sense to me to save
money by being an Owner-Builder and then pay the overhead and profit of
hiring a framing
contractor when I know how to frame, I just need an extra carpenter.

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Joe - 30 Jun 2005 08:53 GMT

I have been a carpenter for over 40 years in upstate NY, and I have never
heard of a licensed carpenter.
Where are you located ?
You had better call the town and ask if the carpenter needs to be licensed
before you go framing the house.
You don't want to be tearing it down and building it again with a licensed
carpenter.

Signature

JerryD(upstateNY)

I intend to remodel a property I purchased recently. I'm experienced in
construction, having built a couple of places in the past. I know what I'm
doing.

I want to save some money and go the Owner-Builder route. I want to
hire a carpenter to
help me frame the place. I will need a drywaller to work with me also.
All of the mechanical
trades I can do with my step-sons help.

If I hire a carpenter, does he have to be licensed or can he simply be
a tradesman. I've got a
semi-retired guy in mind who's a really good carpenter, but that is all
he is. He isn't a
licensed contractor. I want him to work piece work, he says that's OK
with him. He seems to be
reluctant to take the job, for fear of working on a project without a
license.

I assured him I will be the owner and his employer. He will be my
employee. How can I convince
him that it's legal for him to help me frame this place? It doesn't
make sense to me to save
money by being an Owner-Builder and then pay the overhead and profit of
hiring a framing
contractor when I know how to frame, I just need an extra carpenter.

Reply to this Message

Joe - 30 Jun 2005 08:58 GMT

Also, in my area, you can do your own electric but you can't do your own
plumbing.
I did all my electric, including the service, but had to hire a licensed
plumber
I guess I can electrocute someone but I can't spill any water on the floor.

Signature

JerryD(upstateNY)

I want to save some money and go the Owner-Builder route. I want to
hire a carpenter to
help me frame the place. I will need a drywaller to work with me also.
All of the mechanical
trades I can do with my step-sons help.

If I hire a carpenter, does he have to be licensed or can he simply be
a tradesman. I've got a
semi-retired guy in mind who's a really good carpenter, but that is all
he is. He isn't a
licensed contractor. I want him to work piece work, he says that's OK
with him. He seems to be
reluctant to take the job, for fear of working on a project without a
license.

I assured him I will be the owner and his employer. He will be my
employee. How can I convince
him that it's legal for him to help me frame this place? It doesn't
make sense to me to save
money by being an Owner-Builder and then pay the overhead and profit of
hiring a framing
contractor when I know how to frame, I just need an extra carpenter.

Reply to this Message

indago - 30 Jun 2005 10:57 GMT

050630 0358 - Joe posted:

> Also, in my area, you can do your own electric but you can't do your own
> plumbing.
> I did all my electric, including the service, but had to hire a licensed
> plumber
> I guess I can electrocute someone but I can't spill any water on the floor.

You gotta know yer sh.t to be a Master Plummer...

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CWatters - 30 Jun 2005 14:55 GMT

> Also, in my area, you can do your own electric but you can't do your own
> plumbing.

Wierd. In England it's more or less the other way around.

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RicodJour - 30 Jun 2005 20:59 GMT

> > Also, in my area, you can do your own electric but you can't do your own
> > plumbing.
>
> Wierd. In England it's more or less the other way around.

Shocking!

or, alternatively...

You're all wet!

;)

R

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Phil Scott - 30 Jun 2005 12:02 GMT

> I intend to remodel a property I purchased recently. I'm experienced in
> construction,
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> hiring a framing
> contractor when I know how to frame, I just need an extra carpenter.

He is NOT contracting without a license if he is just working
for you by the hour or piece work or whatever.

If he signs a contract with you to do the work for a flat rate
on his own time THEN its contracting.

You are correct..you can be the owner builder and hire whom
ever you wish to help.

IF you are a contractor however...and you want to quote a job
to a client, and you get quotes for some of the work..those
guys have to be licensed.

But if you hire the same guys by the hour to do what you
direct them to do... then thats not contracting. thats just
labor for hire.

Phil Scott
Mech/ electrical/ boiler and Refrig contractor in calif.

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Vic Bodnar - 30 Jun 2005 13:14 GMT

It's not that the carpenter has to have a contractors license but a
carpenter's license in some areas the government requires that an
electrician, plumber etc be a certified tradesperson to perform work in that
trade. Or a regisitered apprentice. That's not to say that a guy who has
been working in the field for 40 years is not competent but if you have
someone who has gone through an apprenticeship program he/she is more
probably up on new techniques, products and skills than average joe that
just walked out of the bar at noon and calls himself a carpenter. One word
of caution in some areas if you take on the chore of owner builder be damn
sure the subs you hire even the carpenter to build a deck is covered by some
form of worker's compensation because if he is not and you as owner
builder/contractor don't have coverage for him and he gets hurt on your job
you are liable for his medical costs.

Vic A. Bodnar

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Phil Scott - 30 Jun 2005 19:29 GMT

> > I intend to remodel a property I purchased recently. I'm experienced in
> > construction,
[quoted text clipped - 38 lines]
>
> Vic A. Bodnar

The state in its desire to control ever fart and burp has all
these licence laws.... there can be and is no law that says
you cannot do the work YOURSELF..and hire someone, your kids,
uncles..the neighbor lady to help you with whatever you wish.

In this case the carpenter could help the home owner mow the
lawn, hold up a ladder or drive a few nails if you catch my
drift.

When it goes *commercial is where the regulations kick in and
can be and are enforced,,,, but paying someone to *help you do
the work yourself...well thats not licenseable.

Phil Scott

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Homeowner Forum / Construction / June 2005

Carpenter hiring dilemna