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Xanny t1_itcsl9z wrote

Reply to comment by baltimorecalling in Can Baltimore vacant properties provide housing for new immigrants? by bearjew64

I looked into trying to do vacant rehabs for MD contractors licenses require 2 years of W-2 labor related to contracting. I've built houses with my dad and done my own work in PA, but even when I did part time at his construction co I wasn't getting pay stubs, I was being paid cash after the day, as a lot of handymen in the area are. That requirement for traceable employment history makes the ability to get a contractors license to pull permits in the city, I feel, almost impossible.

Requiring additional inspections of someone with less qualifications that they have to pay out of pocket, sure, go for it. But I can do the work, but I have no way to prove I can that meets these requirements. Previous coworkers can't just vouch for me.

Immigrants will not be able to rehab anything if they can't get contractors licensing and pull permits. I'd love to see MD law amended so there is some way to circumvent that 2 years of W-2 requirement.

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CookieMonster932 t1_itczf1l wrote

Thanks for sharing, I’ve wondered what roadblocks people faced in developing or rehabbing these properties. What percentage of people working in the business actually get W2?

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mtneer2010 t1_itdjjtg wrote

I'm confused, are you saying you're working off the books and not paying taxes?

Doing rehab/reno jobs should require licenses and permits. Way too many DIYers who "know what they're doing" botch these jobs and it makes the situation dangerous for people living there, because they cut corners to save a buck

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baltimorecalling t1_itdpkbj wrote

The house next to me is being rehabbed by people who don't know what they're doing. I had 2 gas shut-offs at my house because we thought we had a gas leak. Turns out: it was theirs.

I had to get a stop work order issued, because it was dangerous and expensive for me (First time, BGE shut OUR gas off, and didn't trace the problem to the obvious construction next door. We had to pay AJ Michaels a pretty penny to clear our gas tag that same day).

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pestercat t1_itefngq wrote

This. Fucking flippers plus a worthless (and astonishingly overpaid) inspector wrecked our lives. Had to go deep into debt to fix their mistakes enough to sell, then live with family for five awful years saving up and paying down debt before we could buy again.

Still remember our proper contractor when he and one of his men were working on our masonry. All I could hear over their music was "this is not to American building standards at all! This is ridiculous!" repeated over and over at ascending volumes.

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