General Contracting, a good idea for the novice?

Question

This might be a silly inquiry, I don't know. But I was speaking with the subcontractor doing some work on one of my places, and he is trying to convince me to get a General Contracting license. He went on to tell me about how he convinced a former Girlfriend of his to do the same and she did. Also he admitted that as soon as she became successful, she dropped him like a hot potato. So now this guy is sounding so excite about me becoming a general contractor. I guess this is a good idea for someone, but I have a profession. Regardless, I looked up the requirements and  all I have to do is pass a test. The 4 years of working experience would be waived because I have a bachelors degree (I also have a terminal degree as well). My question is, can someone with little or no construction experience become an effective general contractor? Would the lack of experience kill any reasonable chance of being a successful contractor. If so, in what fashion will it be hinder. I am not trying to say that I am Einstein or anything but I dont think that  there is anything inside of a house I can not learn and understand with study. I believe with course/test prep I can pass the test. I am just not sure if it would be wise to do pursue something like this with the experience I have. I guess one can start small and build up. BTW this would not be a primary profession, just a supplemental one.

Eric Bowlin · Answer

I am a licensed construction supervisor (MA's "GC" license).

At a minimum Being a GC carries the risk of properly building a home and keeping people safe. At the maximum, your name is on everything as mundane as the paint to the trim.

Point 1) will you be good...I don't know.. But it isn't a part time job. Being a good licensed contractor does not require you to build things, but it does require that you can inspect good and bad work and you need to know everything about everything. The fact is, most homeowners do not know what is 'good' and what is 'average' or they would not hire someone...this means that there is a high chance that you do not know either.

If you do not understand the different types of construction dating back 200 years from balloon to platform framing and if you do not understand structures and and how loads travel through walls, beams, columns, and footers..you should not GC any structural projects.

If you do not know the difference between a level 2 or level 4 plaster finish or the differences between a dovetail or stapled cabinets, lippage for tiles, or how climate, season, or recently poured concrete impacts hardwood floor installation, you may not make a good non-structural GC.

Point 2) IF this contractor thinks it's such a good idea to get licensed...why doesn't he get licensed? Why did the girlfriend move along once she became successful? Remember..your name is on the work someone else does. If he is a hack, he will want to work under your license.

After becoming licensed, insured, incorporated, and paying all the costs of a construction company...I no longer hire these fly-by-nights as subs. They are cheap but they don't follow nearly any legal requirement..which is why they are cheap. Keep this all in mind during your conversations with them before they convince you to get licensed and pull permits for them.

Account Closed · Answer

@Jaime Penix  It's no different than anything else: it takes a lot of time and effort to be good at something. Anyone can take a test and get a license. It all depends on what you want to do.  I don't see it as a "supplemental" profession.

Besides, why would you want your girlfriend to dump you?!  :)

Jaime Penix · Answer

Art Allen agreed, what I was not sure on was the level of competence offered by these courses. And I intended no disrespect when I say that is for supplemental income, I was basically saying it would not be my primary source of income. So at most I would only do small occasional projects. Actually I don't really know what I would use it for, the entire concept is new for me.

PS. my GF already dumped me, that is why I have all of this extra income to invest now...haha

Jaime Penix · Answer

@Morry Eghbal that is interesting, in Florida I don't believe that there is a trade test. Maybe it is included all in one test. But I definitely do not need any more liability than I already have.

Jaime Penix · Answer

@Doug Ferguson I am actually studying for my realtor's license right now. I am not really sure what I would use this GC license for, but this guy made it seem like it was the key really making some money. This really new to me, these are my first and initial thoughts regarding this field.

Jaime Penix · Answer

@Wayne Brooks that would make sense that the degree would require something construction related, but the site I was reviewing didn't mention that. I am sure you are right, the website just did mention it or at least didnt make it immediately clear.

Morry Eghbal · Answer

From Everything I have seen and heard, even I myself a few years ago tried to get a general contractor license and I passed the law but failed at the trade test in California. Than I met a person who used to be a contractor and he said, when he started to buy and sell properties, he decided to let go of his contractor license because it carried too much liability for him. So he convinced me not go follow through. And I did not.

I guess it is a matter of preference.

Doug Ferguson · Answer

The General Contracting  Prep Course I took taught nothing about actually General Contracting with regard to  construction.  It seemed to me the course was for people that know about construction practices but don't understand the business side of it.  I don't think General Contracting is best taught in a classroom.

It sounds like you want to mainly use your GC license to pull permits and sub out all of the work.  I was looking at doing that but determined a Real Estate License is more valuable for rehabbing/investing.  I would want to have some serious legal council before selling a house I am the Realtor and GC on.

If you are looking at getting your GC license to hire employees and bid out jobs, then you need to really know what you are doing.  I do find construction to be very common sense based and it can be done without a ton of experience.  I am sure business experience and knowledge would need to compensate for a lack of GC experience to be successful.  I am almost certain I will get my license one day, but I know it is a very challenging field.

Wayne Brooks · Answer

@Jaime Penix I have a Florida GC license.  The prep course teaches you how to pass the test, not be a GC.  You will learn some basics on the legal side, and get exposed to some general business practices, and some estimating, but that's it.  Also, a bachelor's degree has to be construction related, ie. construction management, engineering, etc. to waive the 4 years supervisory experience.

Jaime Penix · Answer

@Eric Bowlin thank you for your input. I understand you take heed/protect yourself at all times advice...I completely understand...the subcontractor does sound worthy of deeper investigation...

But just to clear somethings up, I don't expect to go take a test and that be it. I guess what I am inquiring is if these construction schools that test prep you, provide enough training to  not only pass the test but allow to you competently perform as a general contractor

General Contracting, a good idea for the novice?

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