Not sure if Louisiana is serious... Question for Contractors. (2024)

Posted on 5/30/18 at 3:10 pm to Duzz

Posted by 4WHLN

Drinking at the Cottage Inn

Member since Mar 2013

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quote:
I CAN take a test and become a contractor myself?

quote:
Just a simple test and "Here you go, go ahead and build some property Random Guy A!"

If you seriously think that is all their is to it then you are in way over your head.

Your $300k house will cost you $400k in mistakes when you are all said and done.

But good luck on the test.

Posted by Clark W Griswold

THE USA

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Posted by slackster

Houston

Member since Mar 2009

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quote:
I'm building my house right now and I'm not a contractor. Process is easy just aggravating dealing with a bunch of high school drop outs, meth heads and shady business owners. I wasn't about to be paying between 10-20% for some other shady frick to make phone calls and sit on their arse. I can do that with absolutely 0 training.

To each their own, but if you've got little to no contacts in the various professions you'll eventually need, that 15% GC fee is worth it.

Posted by chryso

Baton Rouge

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Posted by Chad504boy

4 posts

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Posted by Motorboat

At the camp

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quote:
You can take the bar exam without going to law school cant you?

no.

Posted by rondo

Worst. Poster. Evar.

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quote:
Duzz

based on your level of writing, you will not have to worry about being your own contractor.

Posted by LeauxCountryTigah

Her Nether Regions

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Posted on 5/30/18 at 3:42 pm to Green Chili Tiger

quote:
quote:
turns out, I CAN take a test and become a contractor myself?

That's basically true in every state for a residential contractor.

Actually no, here in S. Carolina you have to have a minimum of 2 years actual work experience with a licensed contractor out of the last 5 with the certifying contractor signing an affidavit. When I moved here from Louisiana I thought I would start my own remodeling company...no go on the license unless I had someone willing to perjure themselves. Not exactly how I wanted to start a business.

Posted by gumbo2176

Member since May 2018

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quote:
You don’t even need a test. Next time there’s a flood just go to some baws that got that big insurance check and tell them you’ll do the job at half of the price of the other guys. Get the cash upfront. Never be seen again. Profit

Yep, just about every SOB with a pickup truck, circular saw, tape measure and hammer flooded N.O. after Katrina claiming to be certified contractors and left a wake of bilked customers when they ran out of state with all that insurance money.

Posted by Mudminnow

Houston, TX

Member since Aug 2004

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quote:
Yep, just about every SOB with a pickup truck, circular saw, tape measure and hammer flooded N.O. after Katrina claiming to be certified contractors and left a wake of bilked customers when they ran out of state with all that insurance money.

Had same thing in Baton Rouge 2016 flood and some of that in Houston too due to Harvey.

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Posted by OweO

Plaquemine, La

Member since Sep 2009

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quote:
So I was looking to get a house build but instead of hiring a contractor, turns out, I CAN take a test and become a contractor myself?

I am guessing you haven't had much experience with a lot of contractors huh?

Posted by TigerstuckinMS

Member since Nov 2005

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quote:
Its absolutely worth the 10-20% to not have to deal with those crackhead subs

Agreed.

Plus, if you self-contract and your drywall is cracking and your plumbing is jacked up and your roof leaks, it might be hard to get anything out of the subcontractors and you may end up having to sue three different companies. The contractor has more leverage on the subs to get them to fix the problems because he has future work he can hold over them. He also knows which subs are crackheads and shouldn't be hired in the first place due to previous problems or reputation within the industry. Finally, if there are problems with the subs and the GC can't get the thing built to contract that's his problem, not yours, and you've only got one person to sue.

This post was edited on 5/30/18 at 3:59 pm

Posted by OweO

Plaquemine, La

Member since Sep 2009

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Posted on 5/30/18 at 3:55 pm to Jack Daniel

quote:
A license isn’t required at all to subcontract your own house.

When a contractor hires a subcontractor, the subcontractor is working under the contractor's license right?

If the person building a home subs out everything on their own, does that have any impact on their insurance?

Posted by crimsonsaint

Member since Nov 2009

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quote:
I'm building my house right now and I'm not a contractor. Process is easy just aggravating dealing with a bunch of high school drop outs, meth heads and shady business owners. I wasn't about to be paying between 10-20% for some other shady frick to make phone calls and sit on their arse. I can do that with absolutely 0 training.

Since you have zero training I’d imagine your subs are already putting the screws to you and you don’t even know it.

Posted by mdomingue

Lafayette, LA

Member since Nov 2010

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Posted on 5/30/18 at 3:57 pm to TigerMyth36

quote:
There are plenty of licenses out there where all you need to do it pay a fee and have a tiny worthless bond.

Like what? Just curious because I couldn't think of many that don't require a test. I'm not saying there aren't plenty, I just can't think of any.

Posted by OweO

Plaquemine, La

Member since Sep 2009

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quote:
Like what? Just curious because I couldn't think of many that don't require a test. I'm not saying there aren't plenty, I just can't think of any.

I am a minister.. All I had to do was sign up on this site.
LINK

If I want, all I have to do is pay a fee to get a piece of paper to bring to the clerk of court so they can list me as a certified minister and when people go in there looking for someone to marry them. My name would be on the list and I would be able to legally marry them.

Posted by mdomingue

Lafayette, LA

Member since Nov 2010

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quote:
I am a minister.. All I had to do was sign up on this site.

OK that's 1. And you as a minister gives me pause, for some reason.

Posted by crimsonsaint

Member since Nov 2009

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quote:
Seem like every week, there is a week delay in something.

GCs don’t make money by delaying jobs. They want to get it done and get paid. But just like every single construction project throughout fricking history there have been and always will be delays. Every project has a lot of moving parts.

quote:
Building a house in 4-5 months vs 8-10 months, is just a little time to me.

So some newb with 0 experience is throughing up houses in half of the time as licensed GCs? Get out of here dude.

Posted by NYNolaguy1

Member since May 2011

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quote:
you can also take the bar and become an attorney too

I dont think thats the case anymore IIRC. Now most states require a JD.

Posted by TheHarahanian

Actually not Harahan as of 6/2023

Member since May 2017

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quote:
I would think you'd need schooling , a BA, trade school experience or something...

This is Louisiana. You need a paper bag with some money in it.

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