Licenses

Lesson for today: If you ever get a contractor's license in DC, don't EVER let it lapse!

A few years ago, I realized I wasn't getting any work in DC, and had plenty in Montgomery County. So, when the time came to re-up, I just let it slide.

Fast forward to this year, where I am interested in projects wherever they are, including our nation's capitol.

I have been trying off and on for the last few months to renew my license there. I am amazed at how many hoops you need to go through. My first task was to re-establish my corporation. Some hundreds of dollars in registration and late fees, and that was done. I am in the process now of gathering the other requisite paperwork.

Most of it is pretty straightforward; things like passport photos and their charming one page triplicate contract form, which they tell you is the ONLY contract that is valid in the District of Columbia. My lawyer gets a chuckle out of that, but you do what you have to do, right?

Two things however, are killing me. DC requires a criminal background check, and a certificate of good standing (meaning you don't owe DC any money for any past omissions or misdeeds). Here's the trick: both have a valid period of one month. I was naive enough to send away for the background check and good standing certificate at the same time; assuming that both would take a few weeks to get, and thus be concurrently valid.

Not so much.

Maryland got me my background check in short order. DC cashed my check....a month ago. As of today though, no certificate. So, today, I decided to brave 941 North Capitol St., and see if I could pick it up in person.

Aside from being reamed for $20 to park my truck, things went well enough. I waited an hour or so for my number to be called, and then had a nice conversation with a surprisingly pleasant woman, who looked up my company, verified that I was indeed in good standing, printed out the certificate, and then told me to head down to the cashier, pay my $15, and bring back the receipt, at which point she would hand me the certificate, and I would be on my merry way.

Generally, the cashier is the fastest process at 941 North Capitol St. Whatever flaws DC has, and there are many, it can generally be said that they are efficient at parting people from their money.

Not today.

The cashier's station was down to one working computer for awhile and what normally would have been a 5-10 minute in and out, became an hour and a half standing in line. To pay $15.....again.....for something I have already paid for. Ugh.

Eventually, I made my way to the cashier, paid my money, went back to the nice lady, got my certificate, and headed on home. Save for a $25,000 bond and an insurance certificate, I think I now have everything I need. For the finishing touches, I have hired what is known as an "expediter", who takes all my myriad papers, submits them and greases the skids, as it were.

I'm told I'll have my license a month or so after everything is submitted, so I guess we'll see.

I'll tell you one thing though, once I get licensed this time, I won't give it up until I'm cold in the ground!