Discussions

I'm not sure what you're saying?  
 
A carpenter can't do any of the things you've mentioned without tickets in those trades. Not commercial, industrial or residential.  
 
If the carpenter is doing side jobs for those ticketed/Red seal trades without the appropriate tickets then you should report them to the department of labour. They have guys who go around jobs sites giving out warnings and fines to people and companies who are opperating outside of the Manitoba apprenticeships and trades guidelines.

Yes, thanks...I followed up on too much of his work ..(towns of West of Brandon)...which govt official to contact first?

Contact office of the fire commissioner first. They are the ones responsible for checking licensing of trades around here. Can give out fines for working without license for any trade. Been checked on numerous times but I am licensed thankfully.

But this is such a huge issue around here and after making numerous complaints to the proper authorities myself, I can tell you not much gets done. I have heard back from inspectors that " it was just friends doing a favour for a friend", or outright fabrication of what work was being done that would not fall under needing permits or licenses. I have witnessed gas work being done by "buddies", I watched a complete Reno of a home including electrical, gas, plumbing and structural work done and inspectors said it was just cosmetic after buying the "buddies" story. I have reported Gst evaders and other under the table "contractors" to no avail.  
 
The reason? Consumers around here are driving the demand. They want "the cheapest, but the best". They want to pay under the table. They want what they want but refuse to pay fair living wages to contractors and mechanics for that matter.  
 
People around here do not want to pay for quality. They want lowest price, regardless of the garbage they are getting.  
 
Licensed, trained contractors cost more. For damned good reason. They are the ones that understand what they are doing, are trained for safety (so that they don't burn your home down or damage your property) they are insured, and skilled and they deserve a lot more respect than they are given. Another thing, they pay taxes into the system that makes the bloody country run.  
 
By supporting these under the table, backyard economies, you are contributing to higher taxation for everyone. Not to mention the little mom and pop shops that are just trying to feed their families, it is killing small micro businesses.  
 
Sorry, just been very annoyed by this issue and it has been getting so much worse over the past decade.

We used an individual from one of the nearby colonies and he did a fantastic job. No tickets licenses or whatever. Just pure pride in his workmanship. On his own he completed window replacement, deck, counter tops, and completely gutted a nd renovated with a new bathroom. Yes, he did electrical, plumbing , drywall and everything else involved. No permits of any kind. Paid cash and everyone was happy. Underground economy, got to keep it alive and well.  
As far as I am concerned, plumbers and electricians have a license to steal....

NO it doesn't always apply about your better quality in licensed, trained contractors.  
My new house is built by a known company with licensed trades and the house has issues which should be good quality work as they should know what they are doing. They are some people capable of doing and WILLING to do good work...all without having to charge fees/permits.  
ALRIGHTY THEN is all the way right on his statement....this is not a piece of paper called 'permit' that makes a good quality work but it is the person itself.

Good luck getting your insurance company to pay out if you ever have an issue with any of your Reno's that you didn't pull permits on. Even the best installed electrical and have issues. Rubbed wires can short and cause a fire. Over loaded circuits etc.  
 
I hope it never happenens to anyone but I've seen it first hand. Ticketed techs know code they can pull permits and they have you covered if anything goes wrong.  
 
If you're getting an unlicensed person to do work for you they can't pull a permit. You aren't covered under your insurance policy and for saving a little bit of money now it could be costing you substantial money in the future.  
 
Even a cash side job by a ticketed journeyman can have a permit pulled.  
 
My advice. If you want to save a little bit of money talk to friends and see if they know anyone in the trades who can do the work for cash. That way you get someone with the knowledge of code and the security of knowing your covered if anything goes wrong.

For the "tax dodgers" comments.  
 
Trades guys that do side work are often working 40/50/60 hour weeks and paying passive amounts of tax on their income. They're already paying plenty in tax as it is  
 
I don't think helping someone out by doing occasional work on the side at a cheaper rate is really the crime of the century.

Its one thing for a qualified, knowledgeable, trained person doing work on the side under the table, but it's quite another issue when it is someone not qualiified or knowledgeable doing work that could lead to serious problems down the road. I've seen people install plumbing with no venting or improper traps that could eventually cause life threatening situations. I know of a local handyman that bragged about how he could wire your barn way cheaper than an electrician but then three of his barns burned down.

What made me go to a cash deal unlicensed individual is because of a supposed licensed professional with the initials LW replacing unnessary items and charging for them when a misdiagnosed problem. When you pay an apparent professional to repair something which wasn't needing replacement you might as well pay an unlicensed individual to replace what actually needs to be replaced for a third of the price!! It's really to bad that we can't on  
eBrandon name names of unprofessional professionals.