I have had another contractor jump me when I told him there was no license for window cleaning, like I was making it up, because obviously anyone that has more than two ladders must be a moonlighting remodeler trying to steal construction jobs:rolleyes:
We like the BBB.
I don’t think it’s a right or wrong. I think our industry is unique. When you look in the yellow pages for a health food store or video rental store, they never use the word “licensed.” Neither do restaurants, or tire stores. My point is that these other businesses don’t have fly by night competitors ripping people off by doing terrible work, breaking things and getting advances on the job and fleeing, we do.
So, because our competition is often laid-off construction workers, someone’s nephew who needs a buck, or a handyman with a beater pickup, we use the word licensed to show good faith. I just don’t think it rises to the level of “false advertising” unless one is trying to portray oneself as having attained post journeyman status in the industry, since there is none.
Again, I don’t think it’s black and white and I would be surprised if a homeowner was comparing quotes and said “honey, let’s go with this guy, he’s licensed.” Maybe it happens, but I have never heard of it and I have asked every customer for the last 7 years why they chose us.
What do you mean?
With the BBB, anyone can pony up $350 or so to be listed as accredited, right? I received their solicitation call again two weeks ago…
“If a business has been accredited by the BBB, it means BBB has determined that the business meets accreditation standards which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. BBB accredited businesses pay a fee for accreditation review/monitoring and for support of BBB services to the public.”
Yes Larry, but for $350 you get an A+ rating instead of an A-
Don’t you leave every job with an A+ rating in hand already?
actually, you start off with an A-. Untill you have been in for 4 years then you move to an A.
Good points. I agree, it is a definite grey area. In my neck of the woods, we deal with illegal immigrants, homeless, and layed off construction workers…Fish too…
In 1 of the cities i clean windows im required to have a contractors license to wash windows…$50.00 yr…??? just more $$ for the city I guess…but I’ve cleaned their windows at the city blding, so what can I really say? cant argue about paying it…
In CA, a contractor’s license is regulated by the state (not cities) to protect consumers, and governs the construction trade. Initial fees begin at $400. There is a 2-part exam.
Licensed contractors must demonstrate at least 4 years of experience/education in the trade for which they are licensed, be fingerprinted, have an FBI background check, and be bonded.
Before I was a window cleaner, I would see tree trimming trucks that read " Licensed by the State of ___________". What always came to mind for me was that tree trimming was a dangerous job and involved alot of liability. I thought that it was some sort of certification that was awarded by the state. But it wasnt. It was a business license to do business in the state. Thats all. I have used the terminology but quit years ago because it was just overkill. When people would ask me about being licensed by the state, I would have to fess up and tell them that it was a business license to work in the state. They seemed a little put off by it so I got rid of it.
As for false advertising, alot of it used to go on around my area. There were a few that advertised “Voted # 1 in residential window cleaning”. You bet that I called them out on it with the BBB. I am a BBB member plainly for marketing purposes (and yes, I do play by the rules). Saying you are voted / rated # 1 is false advertising unless you have proof.
Also folks use the BBB logo on a website which breaks the terms of use. If you notice people who use the logo correctly, It will have the chapter at the bottom : Member BBB Orange County" for example. The membership is only good in that area. Advertising A BBB logo online requires a review from the BBB to get that accredidation. They are big on the Privacy page on a website. By law if you are taking a consumers personal info (name,address,phone,email), you must have a privacy policy page on your website that explains what you are going to use that information for. If your website is up to the BBB standards for online advertising, they will let you use the ONLINE RELIABILITY seal. which costs extra.
Bottom line. Anyone in my area who is advertising falsely, I report it to the BBB. They take care of it.
Steve
To reiterate…whenever you run across a company marketing with the IWCA logo, that you feel may NOT be an IWCA member…contact me (Casey High) at 800.875.4922. I will address the situation.
If you have a list – email it to me! Ha
Thank you!
[email protected]
Tory,the funny thing people do ask meif I’m licensed which I reply window cleaning does not require a contractor’s licsense. I do tell them I do have a business license which does add credibilty because to be legit you need one. So I do say Licensed on some advertising because it is true. Some people just like the way it sounds…
