Using another plumber's license?

Is this practice still done?

https://www.brownstoner.com/forum-archive/2010/04/borrow-a-master/

The thread is a decade old. Has the DOB cracked down on it such that it no longer happens?

We’re finishing up a renovation, had to file a PAA, and now see that the plumber’s name and company that’s filed with the DOB are different than the plumber’s name and company that did the work. Should we be concerned about liability or quality of work? They’re a sub of our GC if that makes a difference.

Guest User | 4 years and 10 months ago

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stevecym | 4 years and 10 months ago

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@renovationnightmare: these licenses are NOT like driver’s licenses where they work in other jurisdictions. they are only good where they are issued; by city or county usually but sometimes at the state level.

Guest User | 4 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "3"
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Thank you, Chris. And I would need to ask them for a NYC master plumber’s license? If they show me a NJ license (not sure if this is how it works) that isn’t sufficient?

Thank you again!

lkrshacmzcy | 4 years and 10 months ago

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It all depends on formalities but nine out of ten times it is done illegally.
I would ask the company performing work to show proof of license. If the license does not match the company, call the licensed company and ask them to explain.
Technically the one company could work for the other, but they would have to actually work for them like as in on the books as employees since you cannot subcontract your license out.

lkrshacmzcy | 4 years and 10 months ago

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It all depends on formalities but nine out of ten times it is done illegally.
I would ask the company performing work to show proof of license. If the license does not match the company, call the licensed company and ask them to explain.
Technically the one company could work for the other, but they would have to actually work for them like as in on the books as employees since you cannot subcontract your license out.

Guest User | 4 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "3"
string(6) "200736"

Thank you, Maggie. They don’t come up in the DOB License Search:

http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/LicenseTypeServlet?vlfirst=Y

The company that did the work is from NJ. Is it possible they do have a license but just wouldn’t show up in the NYC DOB database? But then why not file with the DOB under their own name and business name? Or, does them being out of state legitimize their use of a NYC master plumber’s license number for filing with the DOB?

So confused.

Thank you again!

Guest User | 4 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "3"
string(6) "195579"

I’m sorry for what you’re going through (assuming it’s been rough, considering your name). Yes, this practice still happens. I think it does make a difference that they were a sub of your GC as that should put liability on your GC for the work, rather than on you, since you didn’t contract with them separately. Did you check the name of the company that did the work to see if they are licensed?

Guest User | 4 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "3"
string(6) "195579"

I’m sorry for what you’re going through (assuming it’s been rough, considering your name). Yes, this practice still happens. I think it does make a difference that they were a sub of your GC as that should put liability on your GC for the work, rather than on you, since you didn’t contract with them separately. Did you check the name of the company that did the work to see if they are licensed?