Materials related issues-finishing basement in NJ

[Raj G.]

Hi, I am finishing my basement with the help of some contractor in north NJ...my first time dealing with some contractor.

We agreed on some price(labor only), material I will paying separately whenever and whatever needed on requirement basis.

My concern is , 

1. we agreed that he will take care of permit, but on first day when he came to work he told that we(owner) pull permit as home owner, in this way he can save some additional money, because he has only contractor permit ,but doesn't has electric and plumbing permit...just wondering is there any issue pulling permit by us, we live in the same house...is that ok/normal things?

2. we went home depot, he bought steel studs, now some other friend of mine is saying, wood studs are better, because they are solid, steel studs are very light, also hanging/mounting stuff later will be problem, I didn't realize that.

we didn't discuss earlier like studs will be metal or wood, I never thought of going so deep.

so my concern is in such type of dealing can I ask him(Contractor) to work or use material of my choice or not.

Thanks

[George W.]

#1 he's unlicensed and most likely uninsured if he doesnt have a license. I wouldn't let him do any work if he cant stamp permits. Him asking you to pull the permits as a homeowner is fraudulent and in the state of nj doing plumbing and electric without a license Is punishable with up to a $10,000 fine first offense and is a crime. You also take all of the liability of his work if you pull the permits for him. It would be really dumb of you to not pull permits with a legitimate licensed contractor. 

#2 do you have a contract with him? I prefer metal studs for basements but they are a little more tough to hang stuff on but not that much harder.