ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade Business Related Discussion Unusual request to pull a permit...

I can't help but think that the glorious tale of the massive condo job was just some social engineering to make you more amenable to the idea of pulling his permits....

He's your pal, so you know if he's a square guy or not but everytime someone wants me to do something, it's preceded with a pretty story like that.

I think # 1 and 2 are just BS to get on your good side and #3 is the real motive for calling you. I think you should not do it.
For one the contractor is just using the guy because he is cheap, next thing you know there are more of these cheap guys out there paying a few bucks to have their permits pulled and doing work for short money and our industry gets driven down to the ground. OK thats a little far fetched but you get the idea.
I for 1 did not put all the time and money into my training to just pull permits for others to make money.

You did say "old buddy from way back." Want to remain friends? A few hiccups on the job, and you'll hate each other.
Now, if you were on his payroll as his "qualified employee," and doing only electrical work, that would be one thing.
If you were the "prime contractor," and brought him in on the job, that's another.

As I understand his proposal, he finds the custs, he sets the price, he gets the money first, and your name is on the paperwork...what's wrong with that picture?

Maybe I'm getting jaded, but I've heard so many fairy tales over the years, I even doubt my own excuses :-)

When in doubt, go with your gut.

If you want to test the water, tell him you need to consult with your attorney, accountant, insurance person, and need $1,000 up front for everyones time. That will be pocket change for a monster project like this. If he goes for it, do the consultations, and do what they recommend.

Dave

Old buddy my rear. If you even have to ask you know this is a bad idea, not to mention illegal in my state.

First of all, thanks to everybody for the feedback.

He was a trained spark (unlicensed) working for a licensed, established company.

He's currently operating his own business as a remodeling company, but will be changing to an electrical contracting shop once he gets his own ticket.

IF I wind up pulling a ticket for him, and his guy(s) aren't doing the work to Code or quality of work standards that I like, I'm willing to walk away - I told him that before and he told me I'd have full approval / rejection of all work, since it was under my name.

Since he's set up for employees, I might check the possibility of being the "qualified employee" rather than the company listed as responsible for thework - especially if I'm not constructing the bid.

If I goof a bid, bad on me... if I have to complete somebody else's goofed bid for free

So you are still thinking of pulling a permit for the guy? I'll keep the rest of my thoughts to myself.

It's beginning to sound like he should be your employee.

Doug,

I think the idea of being his qualified employee is reasonable. It is different here in IL than those socialist "control freak" states (kidding of course, I do wish things were a little tighter here), and the best bet is to really consult with an attorney to see how the licensed installer incurs personal liability. If you do, post here what he says. I have considered a consult myself, and if I ever do, I'll post too.

Besides, that's what liability insurance is for, and if you are his employee, it is his policy. But again, as all the advice before me, this is legal advice from an EC.

Now, I am skeptical of this liability following you around for life stuff.... I can't imagine the complexities of trying to pin such thing after the fact, and especially as more time passes and other contractors come in and out of a project over time. Half the time I show up to someone’s house and hear about the last guy, they don't know how to get a hold of him, which installer did what or just exactly what he touched anyway.

One last thing, I have really tired of hearing the story of "I have all these great things coming up that are going to be huge and I'm going to be a great person for you to know soon..... now let me ask a small favor..... or work with me on this one job and great things will come." I used to just ignore the promises of work and stick to the task at hand, but now when I start to hear it off the bad I get leery of even the task at hand. Just my personal experience. Good luck.

Check with the AHJ in the area about this and your attourney. What you describe could cost you your license in many juridictions It's called selling your license.
Also have heard too many stories about great things to come. If I had a dollar for all those I have heard I would be retired on a large annual income. Have never had one come true, but have heard many stories on why it did not happen. Total waste of time to listen to them. Because of that experience , I raise my rates and give a higher bid to do the work myself as a subcontractor to the GC. Or just turn the whole thing down and do not get involved.