Nobody likes government red tape. Not least of which because it seems to slow everything down, making it impossible for us to accomplish our goals within our preferred time frame. To top it off, cutting through that red tape typically requires us to spend time and money alike, usually in the process of obtaining permission from state or federal legislatures for us to perform essential functions, like driving or getting permits for our trade businesses.

For growth-oriented business leaders, choosing to invest in a contractor’s license can have many benefits beyond just getting you on Uncle Sam’s good side. Nothing spent, nothing gained (as some variation of that old saying goes), and you can keep your costs minimal with measures such as online schooling should you choose to pursue your license. Obtaining your license doesn’t have to be an arduous task that requires a large expenditure of both time and money: and after reading this, you’ll see why even those who have the option not to get their contractor’s license choose to.

Let’s get into it.

Building an Ethos With Your Customers

Literally anyone can call themselves a contractor, post an advertisement online, and show up to a job site, getting ready to botch the job and cost their client thousands of dollars. Clients are right to be unwary of unlicensed contractors, as for clients, a license is seen as the government’s seal of approval for their business, a sign that they have passed the minimum standard for completing jobs in your area. Customers that are looking to hire construction companies want to see that you’ve earned your license, as that proves that you are up-to-date on all government regulations and that you were willing to do the bare minimum before you got started.

Choosing to forego obtaining a license can result in you getting fewer overall clients, as very few are willing to take a chance on a company that doesn’t bother with oversight. Clients aren’t aware of the myriad reasons why not to pursue a license: all they see is Joe Schmoe and his band of randoms, and very few are willing to trust people like that with expensive jobs.

Being Up-To-Date on Relevant Regulations

Government regulations for the various trades are always changing on both the state and federal levels, and earning your license can be one of the best ways to stay up-to-date whenever something changes. This is because for most trade professions, once you earn your license, it’s required that you take classes every so often to maintain that license. Fortunately, that doesn’t have to be a chore either, as taking continuing classes doesn’t have to interfere with your typical work week: online classes can conform to your schedule and allow you to maintain your license at a lower overall rate.

The main reason you want to keep up-to-date on these things isn’t necessarily to make sure your t’s are crossed but to help you avoid liability by keeping you aware of even the most obscure changes in regulations.

A Better Ethos When Something DOES Happen

Say something goes wrong on the job, and you’re required to go to court to hash out responsibility. If you go to the judge without a license and try to explain what happened, they’re going to look at you and your company much less favorably, as you didn’t even do the bare minimum (from their perspective) to watch out for everyone’s safety. Choosing to get your license can give you the bare minimum of authority needed in the eyes of the government to prove that you are a responsible business owner, making it possible for you to even file suits against clients successfully if you aren’t paid for your work.

Choosing not to get your license can have unforeseen consequences, and in a business as accident-prone as yours, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Take a look at online courses that can get you up to speed at a low overall price, and earn your license quickly and from the comfort of your own home.