[quote=briansd1][quote=rnen]Folks need to make sure their contractor is licensed and not settle for anything less than a quality job, even if that means getting the State Licensing Board involved. That is what they are there for.[/quote]

All licensing boards do is create barriers to entry and protect their members.

A license is no guarantee of quality services.

Licensing does however provide some recourse in case of disputes.

I have a handyman who does my work. He’s not licensed because he doesn’t speak English well, but I’m perfectly happy to pay him. I’d rather pay him than some licensed schmuck.

The licensed contractors use unlicensed workers anyway.[/quote]
Being one of those “licensed schmuck”s I will agree that the board does little to enforce quality but it does provide a valuable resource for those that do experience difficulties with their job.

As far as creating barriers and protecting their members I can tell you they do little to protect me, I still have to compete with unlicensed and unqualified individuals. Not all contractors use unlicensed workers but way to paint us all with the same brush.

Hmmmm… maybe you are on to something here Brian, why not eliminate licensing for every trade or profession…. starting with yours. Why let pesky things like skill and knowledge get in the way. Lets just open the doors for anyone to do anything regardless of qualification. Brilliant!

Or maybe you are just refering to blue collar work, after all what do you need to know to build a house or repair a car??

Gee Brian, us low life “licensed shmuck”s would apologize for the inconvienence we cause you if only you would jump down from your ivory tower for a minute.