Getting your Contractor's License (insurance, general contractor, live)

[Babeejulss]

Does anyone in GA know how the process works? When we move to GA my husband would like to get his license. Has anyone been through it and do you have any recommendations?

Thanks,

Julie

[BobKovacs]

See the link below- it outlines the various license types, requirements, etc.

http://sos.georgia.gov/plb/contractors/default.htm

[desertsun41]

Just to add some general information that might interest some I would like to add this:

Where the previous poster Bob Kovacs and I grew up there was no contractor licensing at all. Some towns did take it upon themselves to ask contractors to register with the town/municipality for the protection of the consumer. Most of us thought it was just another way for the local govt to extort more money from us. It surely did not weed out the good honest from the bad dishonest contractors.

In other states I lived in they had a contractors board who oversaw contractor licensing. It was basicly a private entity with full police power if you can believe that. It was expensive too. In Las Vegas for example it cost $15,000 to legally call yourself a licensed contractor.

Currently in Texas where I just arrived and setting up shop, there was no contractor licensing......."was". Due to Hurricane IKE and all it's destruction and the depressed economy, many contractors good and bad have flocked here looking for work. We call them Storm Chasers. Due to so many fly-by-nighters coming here, Texas decided to adopt a statewide contractor licensing. This will cost us all $500 each as of Nov 1st. Those rare few who are receiving insurance checks are asked not to due business with an unlicensed contractor.

Of all the places I been, only one state had some qualifing procedures to be sure you knew what in the hell you were doing. Most licensing requirements are nothing more then pay a fee and get a card.

Remember.....in these cases, anyone with a pick up truck and some tools in the back can call themselves "a Contractor".

Be carefull everyone !

[Babeejulss]

We are coming from FL and it is very hard to get your license here. It costs way too much money.

Julie

[southgeorgia]

are you looking for a general contractors license or a specific trade license? georgia just started required contractors to be state licensed in july 2008. i'm not sure if they're reciprocating for GC's right now; any other license (elec, plumbing, hvac, etc. . .) reciprocates with florida. i can assure you its easier to get a license in georgia than it is in florida.