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Starting a business

Alex_Mahoon
Alex_Mahoon Member Posts: 2
in Job Opportunities

I am planning to start a mechanical contractor company. I have been doing this for about 10 years in another country and recently moved to United States.
I am seeking doing business in Massachusetts and was wondering how I can start a business without having master license.
any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Comments

  • Larry Weingarten
    Larry Weingarten Member Posts: 3,630

    Hi, Just a preliminary idea, but how about partnering with someone who does hold the proper license, so you can go into business much sooner? Then work on getting your own license, which likely will take some time… possibly years. Just be very clear with any potential partner what your thinking is. 🤔

    Yours, Larry

    Mad Dog_2Alex_Mahoon
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,749

    @Alex_Mahoon

    Not to discourage you but Massachusetts is a tough state as far as licensing and contracting goes. Very restrictive.

    1Gas you need a Plumbers license or gasfitters license

    2Plumbing…Plumbing license

    3 Pipe fitting…for steam, hot water etc. Pipefitters license required for over 250,000 btu no license for less BTU (I think it's 250,000) at one time it was 750,000btu

    4Electrical….Electricians License

    5Sheet Metal…Sheet Metal license

    6 Oil burner oil tanks…Oil Burner license

    7 Refrigeration…Refrigeration license required for over 10? tons.

    for most of these you need a contractor's license for some you can get by with a journeymen's license if a 1 man show. If you don't have a license you would have to work for someone in most cases to be able to get these licenses.

    I had at one time 13 different license including some in CT & VT. Let most of them go when I retired. Only have 4 left.

    If I were you I would pick another state

    CT for instance you could do all the above with 3 licenses

    A lot of other states are much less restrictive.

    I would follow what @Larry Weingarten said above. If you could find someone 55 or 60 years old who is looking to retire in 6 or 7 years you could work for him get your licenses and buy him out when he retires.

    Otherwise it's tough going.

    Mad Dog_2ethicalpaulAlex_Mahoon
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,595
    edited January 8

    If you have $$ to invest, you might find a person or small company to go to work for with the goal of getting licensed and gradually taking over a long established outfit with name recognition & Deep roots in the area.

    The cherished industry authors who are must reads: Ellen Rohr (Hot Rod's lovely wife) "How much should I charge?" And where did the money go?" For starters. Al Levi, "Operating Power" & all his articles.

    Dan Holohan, Professor Emeritus & Founder of this site. All Dan's Articles & books. Dan's "No Bull" sage advice for dealing with people...selling to people. Last, Dale Carnegie, "How to Win Friends & Influence People." Good luck & keep us posted.

    P.S. We have a Job Postings page here that can get your name out to the big hitters out there. Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
    Larry Weingarten
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,470

    Good techs and good businesspeople are 2 different things.

    Long Beach EdMad Dog_2
  • Long Beach Ed
    Long Beach Ed Member Posts: 1,411

    It's unfortunate that here on Long Island, there seems to be two dozen unlicensed "tradesmen" for every licensed firm. As the cost of doing business soars, the licensed people struggle to compete. Google, Yelp and what poses as our advertising media today accepts their ads and they directly compete. There is virtually no enforcement from municipalities.

    I hope the OP realizes the value to a license and a legitimate business. You'll usually never make ends meet here undercutting the real guys and doing handyman work. Your only shot at financial security is a legitimate business.

    Alex_Mahoon
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,470

    Rather than licensing (aka another tax on legitimate business) without enforcement, I'd rather see enforcement of existing laws. That I wouldn't mind paying for.

    Mad Dog_2
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,595

    Why get a license?? Some unscrupulous Licensed guys will "cover you"!! The Legit companies & guys are in a constant state of trying to "compete" with the L.C.D. (lowest Common Denominator) & race to the bottom tactics...Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
    Long Beach Ed
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,749

    Had a guy I worked with who had a contractor's license in CT.

    He had a friend who was unlicensed that he would get permits for him. The guy did a furnace replacement and needed a new supply plenum. Didn't have one so he made a temp one………….out of cardboard (or maybe it was plywood).

    Bad things happened.

  • Alex_Mahoon
    Alex_Mahoon Member Posts: 2
    edited 3:41AM

    thank you all for your advice. Having a co founder is good advice but finding the right person might be a challenge.
    Any advice on how I can find a right person to start?

    Also, in case I start the business by myself do you believe it is a challenge to find a licensed handyman each time I get a contract to do the job?

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,749

    Maybe a visit to a few supply houses. They know who they sell to and may know someone looking to retire in a few years.

    If you hire other contractors make sure they have liability and workers comp.

    If your subs don't have insurance, they are covered under your insurance weather you like it or not if your acting as a GC.

    Mad Dog_2

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