city wants copy of general contractor license

[mudflap]

I talked to the City Clerk about building permits- she says no problem- just submit a platt map with the home located on it where you want it, the home plans, and my license and proof of insurance if I want to build my own home. I saw a post a while back talking about submitting a copy of your LHBA membership card- can I fool the city with this? (Tiny little town <2800 residents, 30 minutes from everywhere, in the sticks of Alabama). I can get the liability ins. no problem, but how do you get past the "General Contractor" license?

[blane]

You should be able to get an owner builder permit which does not require a contractors liscence. At least where I built.

[dvb]

I would bet the city clerk does not know what she is talking about. They just spout what they usually get when a contractor builds a house. You are an owner builder and do not need a license. Try again and talk to someone else if at all possible. I am not aware of any place that does not allow owner builder permits. Maybe in New York City, or LA or Boulder?

[mudflap]

Is there some literature I can read to find out more about this? Thanks for the reply!

[mudflap]

Is there some literature I can read to find out more about this? Thanks for the reply!

I actually just found this: http://www.answers.com/Q/What_type_of_contractors_license_do_you_need_to_bu ild_your_own_house , so maybe I found my own answer. But you guys always inspire me. :)

[mudflap]

You should be able to get an owner builder permit which does not require a contractors liscence. At least where I built.

I like the sound of this. I looked at your blog, too- are you all done with your home?

[blane]

I like the sound of this. I looked at your blog, too- are you all done with your home?

I am mostly done��. We still have lots to do but we moved in two years ago and have not updated our blog since. We love the home and will keep chipping away at finishing it as finances allow. Building without debt means you build slower but you build without stress. Or at least without the stress of a bank breathing down your neck for thirty years.

[mudflap]

Thanks for the info. That's encouraging.

[allen84]

In my county, an owner builder permit is actually a little cheaper because they waive one of the fees or permit requirements (can't remember which)... the catch was that you have to live in it for at least 2 years after it's built. I guess that's to keep people from going around throwing up houses without a contractors license.

[blane]

In my county, an owner builder permit is actually a little cheaper because they waive one of the fees or permit requirements (can't remember which)... the catch was that you have to live in it for at least 2 years after it's built. I guess that's to keep people from going around throwing up houses without a contractors license.
Same here. I think it's so you are not trying to scam the government out of their money. Ya know they don't have enough of our blood sweat an tears.

[loghousenut]

I caught the Head, Chief, Leader of the Pack of the building dept at a Home Show and got him interested in my project. I said I'd never built a legal home but spread the baloney about how much help I'd been on the same style of buildings elsewhere. Talked about the school and all, and the fact that there are engineers that work with LHBA students all the time and that I'd have stamped plans.

He said "Of course you can do it in this County", then asked if I wanted to do my own electrical and plumbing. I told him what an idiot I was and he said that if I could do the walls and roof, and wanted to do the electrical and plumbing, I'd figure it out and they'd make sure I didn't mess it up too bad.

You won't need a contractor in rural Alabama.

[Arrowman]

I actually just found this: http://www.answers.com/Q/What_type_of_contractors_license_do_you_need_to_bu ild_your_own_house , so maybe I found my own answer. But you guys always inspire me. :)

You can usually poke around the city website too if they have one. Usually they have information on building permits, requirements, etc. If the city doesn't have it, the state should have it online, as it's usually a legal issue that has been codified at some point.

Maybe the clerk misunderstood that it is your personal residence you are building.

[mudflap]

I caught the Head, Chief, Leader of the Pack of the building dept at a Home Show and got him interested in my project. I said I'd never built a legal home but spread the baloney about how much help I'd been on the same style of buildings elsewhere. Talked about the school and all, and the fact that there are engineers that work with LHBA students all the time and that I'd have stamped plans.

He said "Of course you can do it in this County", then asked if I wanted to do my own electrical and plumbing. I told him what an idiot I was and he said that if I could do the walls and roof, and wanted to do the electrical and plumbing, I'd figure it out and they'd make sure I didn't mess it up too bad.

You won't need a contractor in rural Alabama.
That's awesome. I've done every part of building a house, except from start to finish. Those are done encouraging words.
I'm pretty excited about the class in 2 weeks- it's been about a 15 year journey.

[loghousenut]

it's been about a 15 year journey.

That's why we all call you Newbie, kid. Only 15 years.

[rreidnauer]

Every place I've been, if the property owner is building for him/herself on his/her property, no license or proof of insurance is required. HOWEVER, if you hire anyone, proof of insurance is required, either supplied by the property owner or hired help.

[blane]

I would urge you to get the insurance if you can. It would be awful if a kind hearted buddy got hurt trying to help you out and you were uninsured.

[loghousenut]

WWGD...

What Would'a Grampa Done?








Well, maybe we shouldn't bring that up. He might'a buried a Buddy who was hurt too expensive looking.

[rreidnauer]

I asked my insurance company if there was an insurance available for liability coverage for friends/volunteers helping on your build. I was surprised to hear there is nothing available. Something about if someone is injured without negligence on my part would render liability coverage invalid. It's a catch 22. Because help isn't hired, safety protocols aren't required. And so, in the eyes of the insurance company, makes them say I wasn't liable for someone else's injury. The courts, on the other hand, will find you liable, should the injured sue you. Really crappy situation.

[rckclmbr428]

As an owner builder you are responsible for making sure any contractors you hire have licensing and insurance. The only other thing is a lot of inspectors will spend more time looking at your work, which isn't a bad thing normally. Unless they get crazy over something irrelevant. I've built as an owner builder and as a gc. I just got a final on a garage I built in January, the county sent me paperwork to sign affirming the cost of the project didn't increase during the build, as they would want more fees if it had. I'm thinking of calling and telling them it finished under budget and I'd like a refund on my permit fee. I wonder if it works both ways?

[StressMan79]

I asked my insurance company if there was an insurance available for liability coverage for friends/volunteers helping on your build. I was surprised to hear there is nothing available. Something about if someone is injured without negligence on my part would render liability coverage invalid. It's a catch 22. Because help isn't hired, safety protocols aren't required. And so, in the eyes of the insurance company, makes them say I wasn't liable for someone else's injury. The courts, on the other hand, will find you liable, should the injured sue you. Really crappy situation.

You can "pay" your helpers $1/each...

Sent from my VS986 using Forum Runner

[allen84]

You can "pay" your helpers $1/each...

Sent from my VS986 using Forum Runner


But then they might form a union and demand more money... Or sue you for not paying minimum wage :D

[rreidnauer]

Actually, you'd have to pay at least minimum wage, get your business license, workman's comp insurance, tax filing paperwork, social security match, and meet all OSHA requirements.

[mudflap]

I asked my insurance company if there was an insurance available for liability coverage for friends/volunteers helping on your build. I was surprised to hear there is nothing available. Something about if someone is injured without negligence on my part would render liability coverage invalid. It's a catch 22. Because help isn't hired, safety protocols aren't required. And so, in the eyes of the insurance company, makes them say I wasn't liable for someone else's injury. The courts, on the other hand, will find you liable, should the injured sue you. Really crappy situation.
I had to get insurance as a 1099 contractor when I was installing computer jacks and cable. The company was tech insurance, and it was $400/yr, and they didn't give a lick what I did professionally....

[edkemper]

I asked my insurance company if there was an insurance available for liability coverage for friends/volunteers helping on your build. I was surprised to hear there is nothing available. Something about if someone is injured without negligence on my part would render liability coverage invalid. It's a catch 22. Because help isn't hired, safety protocols aren't required. And so, in the eyes of the insurance company, makes them say I wasn't liable for someone else's injury. The courts, on the other hand, will find you liable, should the injured sue you. Really crappy situation.

A homeowner's policy includes a Worker's Compensation type portion of coverage. It covers anyone on your place. Working or pleasure. Plus in a few states, Auto Insurance has covered the same by being in or "near" a vehicle when injured.

[GreenEyes]

What part of Alabama are you in? We're in east central Alabama, not too far from the Georgia line.

[mudflap]

Huntsville area. You near fort Payne or further south?

[GreenEyes]

About 4 hours south of Ft. Payne, and 4 hours north of Mobile/Gulf Shores, Alabama and Pensacola and Panama City Beach, Florida.

[mudflap]

Bumped into a structural engineer that works in the suite next door- told him my plans ought to be coming in the mail any day now (mailed them to my work due to the high amount of loss that goes on in my neighborhood). Asked him about getting a wet stamp- he said if it's residential, I don't need one, unless I'm building on some kind of crazy slope. Woo-hoo! That's one hurdle down. He also wants to see pics as I build- he's very curious about the BnP method.