How many here are pros?

greg as long as you dont violate the posting rules here you can ask whatever you like . we dont take much to jumping on each other here . we are a community . and we treat each other with respect . in answer to your question , it depends on your definition of a pro . some think if you do work for money you are a pro , others may think you need to meet a certain level of craftsmanship to be a pro . id suggest looking thru the project section and decide . there are some weekenders here like jacees for example that will cause some of the pros to take a hard look at the level they are working on . as for pro sites i belong to this one .
http://forums.jlconline.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=7
youll not likely find them always as friendly as the folks here

Well the main problem was they didn’t like it cause i asked about joining a home builders Assoc. Other members jumped all over me cause they figured it was akin to joining to jack up prices. I am now considering leaving that forum. Though there are some guys there that backed me up so I still have friends there. I was refering to home builders and Renovators being Professional Contractors. They didn’t like that either and said they are not pros. At any rate that is why I asked here about it. I am getting used to this board its a way dif layout than I am used to. Thanks for the heads up about that other board.

Hey Greg, Professional Contractor yes. Master Craftsman yes. Member of a association NO. I haven’t found one that would help me in my endeavors. Most of the local associations around here are very self absorbed. To the point that one of the more predominate ones approached us and after some discussion actually handed me a list of rules we must follow. It included which builders we could work for and what subs we would be allowed to use.

I would say if you can find one that is of benefit to you and works with in your values then by all means join. Good luck,
Dion

-- Dion, www.richinscarpentry.com

I am just here to learn.I do a lot of the fixing up around my house and I just love to come here and get ideas and help from people who know what they are doing.It doesn’t matter if you are a pro or a beginner;I value everyone’s opinion.

-- Dustygirl Hastings,Ont. Life is too short to sit around doing nothing

Hey Dusty Hastings HUH? I know where that is. Anywhere near Bancroft?

MrTrim I joined that sight last night great resources there. Some of it won’t apply but the ideas are certainly transferable. Thanks for the link

I am considering joining the local Home Builders Assoc. They are a branch of the national one up here. I was severely criticized for it. Thats why I asked he and tried to be sorta careful. Thanks for your input guys. Oh and Girl. LOL

Hi, Greg, welcome. I am just finishing building a house as owner builder. I do have my general contractor license, but it is inactive. And I use to have a cabinet shop, but closed it in 1989. Now I am a wholesale greenhouse with houseplants owner. See me at http://www.twinoaksgrowers.com

A contractor, no. I had a home repair bussiness for several years but without a licence. I found that I could not charge what was a fair price to customers because many were living on social security or small pensions or just trying to get by but didn’t have a clue on how to fix things. It was fun and I learned a lot of how to do so many things with each call being something different. I have a rather large library of books, videos and dvd’s that have helped. I am a master at nothing but nothing stops me from learning and doing the best as I can.

-- What do you mean I can't use a coat hanger for 12 ga wire?

Hi, Greg!

I’m a DIYer, not a pro. If I could bill out enough to deduct some of the tools, I would, but I think that’d be in cabinetry or furniture, ‘cause the legal and liability hassles of contracting and building are too much to do on a lark.

I am a member of the local woodworker’s association, which has an awful lot of high end cabinetry and furniture makers, but I’ve only gotten to one meeting in a year (which was, admittedly, awesome and I learned a lot, just have trouble getting out to the meetings).

I generally take a fairly dim view of boards and licensing organizations, mostly because I think the barrier to entry they put up usually has nothing to do with quality, but that’s probably not what you were talking about anyway.

Welcome!

-- Dan Lyke, Petaluma California, http://www.flutterby.net/

Hi Greg
I am about 1 1/2 hours south west of Bancroft on the Trent River.I used to go to Kitchener quite often when I had friends living there;but they live down this way now.

-- Dustygirl Hastings,Ont. Life is too short to sit around doing nothing

Associations have always been, in my mind, just a way for some one to take money from me. I’ve never benefitted from one. Being in one doesn’t make some one a good contractor or whatever.

The general rule around here is that you never go to the dealerships to get your car fixed. The good auto mechanics open independent shops and make more money by by-passing the dealer cut. I feel the same way about building contractors and such.

I’m a pro but have switched from building houses to being a millwright. Work has slowed up, so I will most likely fill in with carpentry stuff until we get our next big job. Always through referal, and if any one questioned my ability because I don’t belong to some association, then to bad. They can take me or leave me.

-- arborial reconfiguration specialist

Definitely not a pro. Done my share of home improvement projects. Let me say I have a profound respect for professionals.

...just another tired old cabinet maker enjoying the economic downturn.

-- http://woodsongsfurniture.com

Sorry to hear that Dennis…........

I just passed my Carpenter Red Seal test in December. Now I cannot find paying work.

I’ve tried severaltimes to become a member of the British Master Craftsmen Guild…............to no avail

Definitely not a pro. Just some one who enjoys doing things for myself. Over the years I’ve given up doing things that code requires a pro to do; of course that varies by area.

-- It's too late to start earlier!

Hopefully it is not to late to reply on this post.

I am a professional contractor. I feel the carpentry and woodworking are both admirable professions and should be highly thought of.

Right now I am working through the testing and paperwork requirements of the MD Home improvement license. Not the funnest thing i have ever done, but necessary to keep working in this state.

I have thought of joining professional associations, but I don’t see a big asset there, so I just put that money into tools.

Thanks for starting this thread Greg. I’m hoping more will join in because I’m looking for anyone I can blog about who would like more visibility online and especially members like Dennis who I may be able to send more business. I am online all the time and do my best to recommend the best sites (like this one) and support small busineses whenever I can.

20 plus years contractor and wood shop owner

-- a-1contractor.com

Not a professional myself. I drive a desk 9-5 in the computer industry. I worked in construction in my teenage years under my father’s tutelage and learned a lot about the secrets that distinguish a master from the lay-person.

Because I’m a DIY’er that works on projects as they arise or as they can be afforded, I can’t build up the experience to be a master, but I do research the heck out of the project and get bogged down for a while in ‘analysis paralysis’ before starting the project. I think I’ve done pretty well for myself as a result!

I agree that contractors are a trade as there are specialists (your plumbers, roofers, bricklayers etc.) and general which in my opinion is far more demanding as you need to know a lot about everything and the codes that surround them – not to mention, you need people skills!

I have considered getting into the trade as I really like working with my hands and with people to create things, but I just can’t take the pay cut to become an apprentice.

Whew, why am I so long winded? lol

-- Mike - Minimum code = Barely adequate.

Contractor, business owner and chief employee of Rambling Road Designs since 1996. Not striking it rich, but enjoying my work immensely.

www.ramblingroad.net

-- Beth, Oklahoma, Rambling Road Designs

hello. I am a professional contractor. but not a member of any organization or association. :)

-- "Username" T. - Always Preferred, www.wedefineclean.net

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