Do i need a contractor for my fix and flip (Massachusetts)

[Igor Komerzan]

Quick question:

Does anyone know what the laws in MA are regarding doing your own work on fix and flips, and when its mandated to have a licensed contractor? My father has been on the carpentry trade for almost 20 years (no Construction supervisor license) and i am also pretty knowledgeable about the trade, the plan is to work on the project together. I have a home improvement license, but not a Construction supervisor license.

I plan on buying my first fix and flip and plan to do as much of the work on it as i can. Electric,Plumbing and HVAC i wont touch. I will have licensed professional do that. But what about things like knocking down walls, building new ones, window replacement, kitchen remodel, etc... do i need to hire contractor with a Construction supervisor license?

Anybody with experience doing their own work on fix and flips, or contractor that know would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you

[Juliano Pereira]

Originally posted by @Thomas Hickey:

Mike Hanneman

So as the homeowner in a flip you can act as the GC and pull all necessary permits?

 Straight from Bostons building Inspectional Service Department (goole is your best friend!)

- Any Home Owner performing work for which a building permit is required shall be
exempt from the licensing provisions of 780 CMR; (Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Building Code) provided that if a Home Owner engages a person(s) for hire to do such work, that such Home Owner shall act as supervisor. This exception shall not apply to the field erection of a manufactured building. For the purposes of this
exemption a “Homeowner” is defined as follows: Person(s) who owns a parcel of land on which he/she resides or intends to reside on which there is, or is intended to be, a one or two family dwelling, attached or detached structures accessory to such use and/or farm structures. A person constructs more than one home in a two- year period shall not be considered a homeowner.

The undersigned “homeowner” assumes responsibility for compliance with the City of Boston Building and Structures Division minimum inspection procedures and requirements and that he/she will comply with said procedures and requirements, as noted on the back of the Building Card.

“OWNERS PULLING THEIR PERMIT OR HAVING WORK PERFORMED BY UNREGISTERED CONTRACTORS FOR APPLICABLE HOME IMPROVEMENT WORK DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE ARBITRATION PROGRAM OR GUARANTY FUND UNDER MGLc 142A” 

I hope this answers your question.

JP