How to Become a Contractor?
I am a homeowner and I lost my job. I think it would be a great time to try to accomplish some construction that I have been thinking of doing in my brownstone. I already have the architect working on the plans but the DOB is asking me that in order to pull a permit…
I am a homeowner and I lost my job. I think it would be a great time to try to accomplish some construction that I have been thinking of doing in my brownstone. I already have the architect working on the plans but the DOB is asking me that in order to pull a permit I need a contractors license. I am planning to be the GC and subcontract each job separately. I do not need a GC since I have the experience of another renovation and I have the time. Any experience on getting the GC license? What is the process? I am sure I am not the first homeowner in Brooklyn doing that. Thanks for your help!
Don’t scare the poor guy too much – he wants to know what he has to do to renovate his house – HIC license and related insurances and EPA for lead. A lot of the stuff noted is for building a new house. He just wants to pull a permit for his own house.
Someone else has told you where to look to get a HIC License from the Dept of Consumer Affairs. Follow this link to see how to register as a GC with the DOB: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/licenses/registrations.shtml#gc
I am not sure which you are asking about but if this is a serious gut reno, I suspect it is the DOB version. The Consumer Affairs version is not a GC license. Also, to be a GC has a lot or more to do with the type of insurance one carries.
Steve
All non-related comments aside following are the briefs:
1. A homeowner can do the job by himself but then you need an ok from the boro commissioner’s office. If you get an ok then you are fine. Otherwise, you need to obtain a license called a tracking or license number.
2. In order to secure a tracking or license number there are multiple levels depending on the work that you intend to do which the DOB knuckleheads already made very very complicated and the general guidelines are as follows: (please make sure to hold your head before you fall down)
a. If you are doing a renovation for an existing house and the job does not involve more than 50% altearation of the existing floor area, does not involve demolition for more than 50% of the existing building, you do not add on more then 3 stories or if less you are not adding on more than 25% then the existing floor area of the building and you are not using mechanical means for demolition portions of any then all you need is a tracking number.
In order to obtain a tracking number for one of the above you need to submit proof of worker’s compensation insurance and disability insurance as well. If you want to get a tracking no. without worker’s comp. you will have a hard time.
b. If you answered yes to one of the above than you need in addition to that to upgrade your tracking number to have a safety registration no. for which you will also need to submit liability and have a form called LIC-7 filled out and approved.
c. If this is a 1,2,3 family house then you wil also nees a HIC license or a HIC license waiver.
d. If it is a new building then you will need in addition a superintendent of construction
if you are still not confused please read more. otehrwise …..
e. If it is a new building for a 1,2,3 family then you also need 1,2,3, family registration
f. If it is more then a 14 story building then you need a site safety manager in lieu of a superintendent
g. If your job involves concrete more then 2,000 cubic yard then you must also have concrete endorsement.
Note: your tracking number remains the same for all endorsements with the exception of superintendent or site safety manager
need help feel free to e-maill me at brooklynexpediter@gmail.com
bikerboy, maybe an Asbestos certification as well 🙂
Not to further frustrate the original poster, but you may also need to be EPA certified for older residences to address lead which should also address NYC LL1 which the permit form indirectly commits you to all hazmat regs.
Gee, makes you wonder why some people do not get permits!
Here’s the link to Dept of Consumer Affairs for the Home Improvement Contract License:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dca/html/licenses/100.shtml
There’s a long process… and an exam… and big books to study.
OK aside from all this how do you go about get a contractor’s license? A full fledged contractor’s license.
Yeah – from a friend who did this, one of your “subcontractors” needs to be a permit expediter. The DOB is a bunch of dummy heads that doesn’t know how to deal with deviations from the norm (though, i’m sure homeowner projects are far more common that they’ll let on).