Is it OK to hire an unlicensed handyman? Any issue with liability? Insurance?

[spdrun]

References. References. References. Ask for at least three.

As far as the risk of the person being some sort of psychopath, if someone is bent on ill deeds, they generally don’t advertise their services on Craigslist.

I’ve rented apartments to people I’ve found on CL, sold items on Craigslist, bought items on Craigslist, advertised my services on Craigslist, contracted services on Craigslist. And I’m still not dead. The worst that happened was that a few people wasted my time. Maybe East Coast people are less paranoid about crime, but that’s the way it goes.

Cheers -s.

[an]

[quote=ocrenter]but you live in MM… drywall? not getting it…[/quote]
I might not have interior walls, but we do have exterior walls. Since it’s MM, we don’t get those cool expensive wood as frame, so we need drywall to cover them up. Now, if it’s exotic wood, I might forgo drywall all together and have exposed beam and studs everywhere.

[an]

[quote=ocrenter]at issue is the liability.

unlicensed worker is akin to getting a friend to climb up ladders in your house to paint, he falls and you have to pay his medical bills.

licensed worker is working on the house at their own risk.[/quote]
I understand about liability. But we’re talking about painting here. What’s the likelihood of injury? I’ve paint my house twice over already and the only injury i got was paint damaging my clothes. A license is only need for jobs >$500. Since this job is $150, it’s under the state’s minimum requirement for a license. But anyways, if one’s that uneasy about hiring a non-licensed contractor, there are licensed one on craiglist who can get very close to the unlicensed ones.

[Coronita]

[quote=spdrun]
I’ve rented apartments to people I’ve found on CL, sold items on Craigslist, bought items on Craigslist, advertised my services on Craigslist, contracted services on Craigslist. And I’m still not dead. The worst that happened was that a few people wasted my time. Maybe East Coast people are less paranoid about crime, but that’s the way it goes.

Cheers -s.[/quote]

Call it paranoid…I’d say call it play it safe. Sometimes, in life, I’d prefer to be wrong versus right…
BUT, there’s nothing paranoid about it… It’s a common MO that happens in California….Probably started in Oakland.

For your amusement..

http://lajolla.patch.com/articles/another-craigslist-robbery-hits-san-diego

Another Craigslist Robbery Hits San Diego
A 21-year-old man was robbed of $2,100 while meeting up to buy a MacBook from a seller advertising on Craigslist.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&sqi=2&ved=0CF4QFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mercurynews.com%2Fci_20701940%3Fsource%3Dinthenews&ei=vdPaT678MK3-2QWVvoXgCA&usg=AFQjCNFnnc_bZTG5t3mpg4jJhf1xxVRDHQ&sig2=S9-7EuHYHAhvgDZXKts1Mg

Campbell couple robbed in second Craigslist robbery in San Leandro this week

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/may/30/craigslist-robbery-reported-bay-ho/

Craigslist robbery reported in Bay Ho

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2012/01/craigslist-robberies-by-appointment-on-rise/

Craigslist Robberies By Appointment on Rise

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Robbery-Series-May-Be-Linked-to-Craigslist-Ads-Cops-126598763.html

Robbery Series May Be Linked to Craigslist Ads: Cops

http://www.10news.com/news/27866602/detail.html

Teens Accused In Death Of Man Responding To Craigslist Ad

http://www.10news.com/news/28736216/detail.html

Police Probe 3 Robberies Involving Craigslist

http://www.fox5sandiego.com/news/kswb-craigslist-robbery-armed-ipad-thief-sentenced,0,4659326.story

iPad thief sentenced to 15 years

http://www.cbs8.com/story/18665655/craigslist-ad-leads-to-armed-home-invasion-robbery?clienttype=printable

Craigslist Ad leads to armed home invasion robbery

That was just the first page… There were a few more pages too..

[spdrun]

If it’s a expensive/portable item that’s being sold, the risk is there I suppose. Normally if I’m buying computer equipment or a car, I’ll go, check it out first. Then if I want the stuff, I’ll run to the bank and withdraw the cash and/or meet in a public place to do the exchange.

With a contractor, I feel like the risk is minimal, since there’s no guarantee that the person calling the contractor will have cash available right there. They may choose to pay with cash after the job is done, or by check, rendering a robbery attempt useless. A scam like that would result in a lot of wasted time for the robber!

The only time I’ve actually been robbed was 10 years ago outside of Wash DC — got back to my car after paying for gas, and found some kid with a Tec-9 expressing a strong desire to possess the keys. No need for Craigslist.

Keep in mind that you’ve cited 10 examples from around the country. Craigslist traffic is something like a billion ads per year (say 500 million are in the US).

[Coronita]

[quote=spdrun]If it’s a expensive/portable item that’s being sold, the risk is there I suppose. Normally if I’m buying computer equipment or a car, I’ll go, check it out first. Then if I want the stuff, I’ll run to the bank and withdraw the cash and/or meet in a public place to do the exchange.

With a contractor, I feel like the risk is minimal, since there’s no guarantee that the person calling the contractor will have cash available right there. They may choose to pay with cash after the job is done, or by check, rendering a robbery attempt useless. A scam like that would result in a lot of wasted time for the robber!

The only time I’ve actually been robbed was 10 years ago outside of Wash DC — got back to my car after paying for gas, and found some kid with a Tec-9 expressing a strong desire to possess the keys. No need for Craigslist.

Keep in mind that you’ve cited 10 examples from around the country. Craigslist traffic is something like a billion ads per year (say 500 million are in the US).[/quote]

Don’t get me wrong. I picked up my tenant off of craigslist. But seriously, 10 incidents within 2 years in the same city is more than just a fluke…It doesn’t hurt to bring someone along, or insist you meet the person in a public place. As far as finding hired help, I prefer referals versus taking the lowest advertised price on craigslist, without knowing who’s hiding behind the terminal.

[CA renter]

I second what flu said.

You can go to a paint store like Sherwin-Williams and ask them for recommendations. Most of these stores have lists of contractors that they will recommend. At least that way they’re a known commodity, and the paint store likely wouldn’t want to risk their reputation on some creepy weirdo (IMHO).

[Coronita]

[quote=CA renter]I second what flu said.

You can go to a paint store like Sherwin-Williams and ask them for recommendations. Most of these stores have lists of contractors that they will recommend. At least that way they’re a known commodity, and the paint store likely wouldn’t want to risk their reputation on some creepy weirdo (IMHO).[/quote]

(Hijack)

CAR, why the heck are you still up at close to 2am???
I have an excuse. I’ve been in a god-awful conference call for the past 2 hrs with our Bangalore team. I’m off now, and going to bed… Night

(End Hijack)

[EconProf]

Life is full of risks, and we need to know when to take prudent risks and weigh the probability of problems. Above all, we should not react emotionally to scare headlines and dramatic, but rare hazards.
Hiring an unlicensed painter for your living room poses few risks compared to an unlicensed roofer or electrician. Furthermore, you can minimize those risks by getting referrals from a RE agent or landlord friend who uses such handymen.
The main result of a tradesman getting a contractors license is to up their price because of the implied greater security and professionalism. They may or may not give a better quality.

[Author]

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