regulate [RE-wrenches]

[Allan Sindelar, Positive Energy, Inc.]

Adding to Smitty's comments:
   We use "Licensed NM Electrical Contractor" on our letterhead, return
envelopes, business cards, etc.--in other words, primarily as a marketing
tool, to set us aside from many of the fly-by-night installers around here.
It says that we take what we do seriously, and by inference it means that we
do code-legal work, pull permits and get inspections. If we had a national
certification test and certification, I think we'd get that too, and use it
for pretty much the same reason.  It can be abused and become meaningless,
just like licensure--we've seen many installations around here by licensed
electricians that won't pass code, and we've repaired several by one local
licensed installer that are genuinely dangerous,
   We know the quality of our work, but most leads don't, unless they're
referrals. We're already more expensive than the unlicensed discount
pickup-truck places, both because of higher overhead (which includes cost of
licensure, bonding, proper insurance, etc.) and because we are positioning
ourselves as "the best, not the cheapest".  Any legitimate credentials that
set us apart from others serve our marketing goals, and to my way of
thinking, a more mature PV industry.
   So I guess I would prefer a good certification program, but not for the
reasons some would.
Allan @Pos Energy


----- Original Message -----
From: "Smitty" <smitty at aaasolar.com>


> Bob, here in New Mexico, we have what is called the Construction
> Industries Division, a state agency, which is in charge of licensing and
> regulating all the construction trades. For the privilege of attempting
> to get rich in the solar business, we had to take a battery of exams to
> get 6 different licenses, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, general
> contracting, and various journeyman cards, as well as giving them $600 a
> year. I am not exaggerating when I say NM is one of the most regulated
> states in the country.
>
> Now, comes the train of thought from little helpers, that I must be
> regulated and certified for solar. First, by complying with state
> licensing law, I feel that our outfit, and Allan's, have already jumped
> through enough "certifying" hoops. Second, like in most industries, the
> market place will weed out incompetence. Not a test. I've seen my share
> of licensed plumbers et. al. who now work at the shoe store.
>
> For those of us who have struggled for many years, overcoming wave after
> wave of burdens, we are now looking at what I think is yet another speed
> bump, probably with more fees attached to it. Another card in my wallet
> is not going to help me sell one extra panel (although, if it was
> laminated, I could use it to scrape my windshield).
>
> Badges? We don't need no stinking badges! Smitty


- - - - - - -
To send a message:
 RE-wrenches at topica.com

The archive of previous messages: 
 http://www.topica.com/lists/RE-wrenches/

List rules & etiquette:
 http://www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/etiquete.htm

To unsubscribe send a message to: 
 RE-wrenches-unsubscribe at topica.com

To check out the other RE-Wrench participants:
 www.mrsharkey.com/wrenches/index.html

Hosted by Home Power magazine: 
 www.homepower.com

For info contact list moderator by email:
 michael.welch at homepower.com

____________________________________________________________
T O P I C A  -- Learn More. Surf Less. 
Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Topics You Choose.
http://www.topica.com/partner/tag01