07-30-2009, 02:54 PM
Precisely Sandra and a real pro will go beyond the checklist and many times do something on the exclusions list just for GP.
I think the dilemma is in the fact there's just not enough on the island to gain that sort of knowledge. A select few may have the experience but I'm sure you're going to be hard-pressed until us old timers start rolling in (we are and have been, I was). I'm hanging it up and only going to work for self, friends in the future, volunteer, etc. The Hawaii codes regarding licensing are simply not worth my time to pull up records to prove to them I am worthy to be a contractor as most are15 years or older. If it were a fair test; I’d do it again… maybe. Real tests are the only way to separate those with knowhow from those who don’t know how. I often laugh at given states requirements as they miss the mark by hundreds even thousands of miles from protecting YOU the consumer. Bonds and insurance don’t cover squat and are eaten up and gone by the time you bring in an attorney and win in court. The only safeguard to get a good product is to hire a real pro with many years of a wide range of construction experience under their belt. No license, bonding or insurance can guarantee this better; a real pro is always the best bet. BTW… Most will hate architects, real estate agents and despise the building department as they are the vultures in our industry, stealing from YOU and us. Just a little inside scoop there. I’m sure there are a couple true half ass greenhorns who would disagree.
Just as Double 007 has a license to kill… a licensed contractor has a license to screw you. So beware of the true reality involved there. Truly, I dislike many contractors I've met through the recent years, they don't care much anymore these days, most are scam artists now.
E ho'a'o no i pau kuhihewa.
I think the dilemma is in the fact there's just not enough on the island to gain that sort of knowledge. A select few may have the experience but I'm sure you're going to be hard-pressed until us old timers start rolling in (we are and have been, I was). I'm hanging it up and only going to work for self, friends in the future, volunteer, etc. The Hawaii codes regarding licensing are simply not worth my time to pull up records to prove to them I am worthy to be a contractor as most are15 years or older. If it were a fair test; I’d do it again… maybe. Real tests are the only way to separate those with knowhow from those who don’t know how. I often laugh at given states requirements as they miss the mark by hundreds even thousands of miles from protecting YOU the consumer. Bonds and insurance don’t cover squat and are eaten up and gone by the time you bring in an attorney and win in court. The only safeguard to get a good product is to hire a real pro with many years of a wide range of construction experience under their belt. No license, bonding or insurance can guarantee this better; a real pro is always the best bet. BTW… Most will hate architects, real estate agents and despise the building department as they are the vultures in our industry, stealing from YOU and us. Just a little inside scoop there. I’m sure there are a couple true half ass greenhorns who would disagree.
Just as Double 007 has a license to kill… a licensed contractor has a license to screw you. So beware of the true reality involved there. Truly, I dislike many contractors I've met through the recent years, they don't care much anymore these days, most are scam artists now.
E ho'a'o no i pau kuhihewa.