Hello everyone!

[s2krev9]

Hello everyone, I just found this chat on a search engine. I am now 20 years old, and I really want to go into construction the bad part is I do not have 4 years of experience to get a license, how should I go about on getting a license? I have helped my uncles and projects and know how to place concrete very well.. i dont wanna go to school for 4 years tho :oops: thanks for your input!

[Rich]

Would you focus on concrete, a different area, or be a general contractor? What state do you live in? Answer these questions and I can probably point you in the right direction.

[s2krev9]

I want to be a build houses from top to bottom. Yes a General Building Contractor, I live in California. My second option is getting a handyman license and do local work for 4 years then get my General Building Contractor license.

[Rich]

My suggestion would be to get licensed in another , easier, state. And then go back to California and register with the state. Look at this site..
http://www.contractors-license.org/ it'll help quite a bit on surrounding states and also information about out-of-state license requirements.
I know it's not the best solution but without actually gathering information for 4 years previous work experience, etc..etc. Let me know how things work out and I wish I had another route for you.

[s2krev9]

I thank you for your wisdom. I still need to learn the trades of building a house from bottom to top. maybe I will just go to school and be a handyman. Can you tell me what is a Journeyman? I called the boards today and told me I have to at least have 4 years of journeyman experience... :shock: I need another path mr. cr-admin if you can help :D, im still wondering if I become a handyman for 4 years would that qualify me to get my contractor license..

[Rich]

Let's say you get a business license for handyman services. If you are the holder of the business license you would be considered a supervising employee and owner. Therefore, 4 years should be enough to be considered as a journeyman. Make sure you document everything you have done for the time you are a handyman.. get a camera with a timestamp. Then there will be no questions regarding the 4 years.

A journeyman is one step up from an apprentice. A journeyman has gone through the apprenticeship classes and worked under a journeyman for 3 years I believe. I think the time depends on what state it's in also.
Anyway I hope that helps.

[s2krev9]

so if i get a business license, i can work over the 500 dollars limit?

[Rich]

Don't quote me on that, but I believe so.