alltex
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Posts posted by alltex
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Many many moons ago. I worked on a Skyhook 115'. (I think it's really a 112'). At that reach, you only get to use one hand to work with. Since your other hand is keeping you from being bucked out of the basket. I believe it had a 3000# lift capability when all tubes were scoped in at a 70 degree angle. The one we had didn't have remote controls in the basket. So you always had someone working the base.
As with any truck, get a qualified person or certified inspector to go over the crane, cables, and on that model hand brake.
Skyhook is no longer in business. Been gone for years. I still see them on the road from time to time. As with any piece of equipment, It will last if you take care of it.
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I would think the owner of the sign (customer). Probably has a right to say if someone can use their image. Our website is supplied by Signsearch. It has a few random photos placed in it by signsearch. One day, I'll get off my lazy ass and have them incorporate our signs.
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Hmmm. Zitro signs doesn't have a TX issued license. Guess someone needs to forward their website to the TDLR.
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Jack, I've been in the electrical sign business for over 20 years in Texas. Every company I have worked for has been licensed. With employees that are/were licensed. Granted 20 years ago, this industry was more lax. What is wrong with having employees that must pass tests to become Journeymen or Masters? What's wrong with having a business that plays by the rules? Carries the proper insurance, and installs signs to code? Without these licenses, what recourse does a customer or municipality have? If you can operate without zero oversight, and zero fear of losing your license. Who/what determines which company is a good or bad contractor? Or even able to perform the job they're hired to do?
I need a new roof on my home. I've called the biggest companies with years of experience under their belts. Their salesman may be real knowledgeable, and know their product. But all of them sub contract the actual roof removal and install. None of these companies have their own employees. I asked them point blank. These subs do not carry workers comp. I chatted with my insurance agent. And asked him why the insurance companies will write a check to a roofing company that subs out to un insured companies? He couldn't give me an answer. He is well aware of the practice. Even mentioned if one of the workers gets injured working on my roof. I can be sued on my home owners policy.
I still haven't replaced my roof. May do it myself with some of my employees. After all, anyone can do roofing.
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Lonnie, great points!
Something else real messed up in the State of Texas. There is no General Contractor License. No home builder License either. Throw in no; framing, foundation, or roofing license's.
One thing on the un licensed sign shops. I seriously doubt their insurance company knows they're selling electrical signs. Once you step into this industry. Your workers comp will be adjusted as well as general liability and auto policies. They're are plenty of "banner" shops with bucket trucks running around my area. They're swapping faces on cabinets, which is technically illegal.
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I have never seen a "vac" truck. I think I understand the concept. Don't know if they would work down here, with all the rock we have.
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Don't give up Gary. You could always be a designer.
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I use N Gantz for most of my supply needs. They take great care of me. Always here daily before 10:00 am. And sometimes they'll make 2 trips a day. I'm a crappy customer, who places multiple orders throughout the day. They put up with me.
Hard to believe NYC is a market they're leaving. Must not be profitable enough to justify the branch. Or maybe they're afraid Bloomburg will outlaw beer next.
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Mega Volt, I don't see the Fastsigns franchiser's, or your shop being a real problem to the public. But this proposed change isn't just for Fastsigns franchise's. This will allow anyone to go out and sell electrical signs without a license.
The company I wrote about in this thread who was/is doing un licensed work. Has a facility, bucket truck, and goes out and installs signs illegally. I have no clue about their: expertise level, insurance, fabrication capabilities. All I know is they are using a Air conditioning license number. And their install techs in the field, don't carry required State license's to install electrical signs.
That's why the law is on the books. How do you propose a system, that guarantees an un licensed shop, uses licensed shops for; designing, installing, verifying the fabrication meets code, and proper permits are secured?
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This is off the TXDLR web site. There's some other info there too. Just don't have the time to look it up.
73.52. Electrical Sign Contractors’ Responsibilities.(Effective January 1, 2010, 34 TexReg 9433; amended effective March 15, 2012, 37 TexReg 1703)
(a) An Electrical Sign Contractor shall:
(1) notify the department when a new master electrician or master sign electrician of record is assigned to the contractor and notify the department within thirty business days from the date that the master electrician's employment with the contractor ended;(2) maintain employee records and records of all work performed on its behalf for a period of four years after completion of the work, and shall make those records available to the department at the contractor’s place of business during normal business hours for inspection and copying. If the contractor’s principal place of business is located out of the state of Texas, the department may require the contractor to make records available to the department at its offices in Austin, Texas or another location agreed upon by the department and the contractor.(b) A person or contractor that performs or offers to perform electrical sign contracting shall:
(1) provide safe and proper installation and service, and assure the electro-mechanical integrity of all work and installations are to code;(2) not misrepresent the need for services, services to be provided, or services that have been provided;(3) not make a fraudulent promise or false statement to influence, persuade, or induce an individual or an entity to contract for services; and(4) ensure that all of an electrical sign contractor’s non-exempt electrical work shall be performed by licensed individuals.© The design of an electrical sign shall only be done by a licensed master electrician, master sign electrician, or design professional as authorized by statute. The design shall not be subcontracted to an unlicensed person, firm or corporation.
(d) A licensed electrical sign contractor shall display its name and license number on both sides of each vehicle owned or operated by the business and used in the conduct of electrical work. Lettering shall be of a contrasting color and at least two inches in height. The license number shall be preceded by the letters “TSCL”.
(e) All advertising by electrical sign contracting companies designed to solicit electrical business shall include the electrical sign contractor’s name and license number. This includes business cards. The following advertising does not require the license number:
(1) nationally placed television advertising, in which a statement indicating that license numbers are available upon request is used in lieu of the electrical sign contractor license number;(2) telephone book listings that contain only the name, address, and telephone number;(3) manufacturers’ and distributor’s telephone book trade ads identifying an electrical contractor;(4) telephone solicitations, provided the solicitor states that the contractor complies with licensing requirements of the state. The electrical sign contractor’s number must be provided upon request;(5) promotional items of nominal value such as ball caps, tee shirts, and other gifts; and(6) signs located on the contractor’s permanent business location.(f) The electrical sign contractor’s name, address, phone number, and license number shall appear on all proposals, invoices, and written contracts from the contractor. The following information: “Regulated by The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, P. O. Box 12157, Austin, Texas 78711, 1-800-803-9202, 512-463-6599; website: www.license.state.tx.us/complaints” shall be listed on all proposals, invoices, and written contracts.
(g) A licensed electrical sign contractor and its designated master electrician or master sign electrician of record is responsible for supervision of all licensees performing work on behalf of the contractor to assure compliance with applicable statutes and rules and in particular, standards of conduct set out in this chapter.
(h) An electrical sign contractor shall not use a license that is not assigned to that contractor.
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Those guys "Keith and Kevin" with the Fastsigns in PA. Have an outstanding business. They aren't the standard "Fastsigns". They fabricate and install just like most of us do. I've partnered with them on many jobs. They have top notch products, they trust me to fabricate signs too cost prohibitive to ship, and know what it takes to install.
I don't have to explain jobs, like most of us do to national PM's. They get it, and do it. And they're great to work with!
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Chubby, I never would have bothered asking those guys for their license. If their vehicle didn't have a make believe license number on it. I had made my mind up, in turning them in. So decided to go for broke and ask them for their personal license info.
I left this part out of the story. The city, the work was being performed in. Is the same city my business, and house are in. I called the city Sign inspector up, after talking with the State. And asked him how they could get a permit, and install without a State issued license? He flat out told me they couldn't, but could have a master pull a permit for them. Which is technically wrong, the master holder must have a TX Sign Contractor business license(TSCL), or have a TX Electrical Contractor business license (TECL). Just having a master license does not qualify, to pull permits without the State issued business license. The master doesn't carry insurance...He carries the license. We went round and round for a little while. And he actually saw my point. Funny thing is, they require a TSCL, or TECL license to pull an electrical sign permit. He didn't even know if a permit was pulled for that sign. At this point I was pulling my hair out, when my cell phone died. He called me back on Friday, and said they are going to follow up on this company and job. And take the appropriate action(s)....
Here's some other License B.S... This came up in another local city, where a master (who I do not know) put my TSCL on a permit, last month. The chief Electrical inspector caught it. Called me up and started to go off on me. I told him I had zero knowledge of the job, or the "master" in question. I flat out told the inspector to call the State up, and file a complaint. He told me he would get to the bottom of it. Didn't hear back from him for almost a week. So I called him back. He said they worked it out. Then he told me I can't use my license for another person....I was so pissed, I had to re iterate our previous conversation again. I asked him why would I help out my competition? What was in it for me? I really think the inspector believes I let someone I don't know, pull a permit with my license. I told the inspector my license number needed to be removed from the permit. Then he told me, he already did it.
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Last Thursday I rolled up on an install taking place a few blocks from my home. (and next to my favorite beer establishment). I noticed a small bucket truck with some crazy license numbers on it. They were in the process of installing a raceway with channel letters on it. The crazy license numbers were close to HVAC contractor's State license numbers. But didn't come up on the TX dept of licensing web site. Their company name didn't come up either. So I pulled up, took a few pics. Got out of my truck, and asked the tech in the basket, what was their License number. At that time another worker came up to me. I asked him flat out for his license number so I could verify it on the website. He told me that's the number his "master" gave him. I then asked to see someones Journeymen card. The second guy said he left it at the shop. I explained to him he had to have it on his person when doing electrical work. He then told me, he didn't have one. Neither one of them even had an apprentice license. I told them I was turning them into the TX Dept of Licensing.
I immediately called the TXDLR hotline. After a 10 min wait. Talked to an agent. They looked up their business info, and validated my same findings on their website. No license, and the number came back to an HVAC company. The agent then asked me if I would file a formal complaint. Which I agreed to, and did the following morning.
So we have a sign company using a HVAC companies license. Un licensed installers, installing an electrical sign. And the only way the state of Texas has to bust these shops. Is someone familiar with the law to report the un licensed activity. This goes on daily in every major city in TX. I'm not a "narc", and don't want to be. I also understand I can't sell every sign in my area. But the investment I have made to be a licensed shop, paying the high salaries for licensed people, and carrying the insurance and certifications which allow my business to operate legally. Is a huge expense my non licensed competitors don't have.
If this law is over turned. It's just going to add to the number of un licensed activity. Anyone who can print a business card up. Is going to be an electrical sign contractor. Granted, they'll have to find a master to pull the permits. And then, hopefully find a sign company which is licensed to do the install. Then find a wholesaler who builds a quality sign. I doubt a subcontractor could subcontract a job out "legally" , and beat my pricing. Too many hands in the cookie jar.
I have no problem with legitimate competition. Bring it on! I win some, and lose some daily.
Few questions for the Fastsigns inTexas. Who's going to warranty your product? Who's going to determine your customer got what they paid for? Do you even know what your selling?
BTW, the guys completed the install. They shrugged me off.
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Matt, you may agree with me. But we're light years apart on this matter.
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What this job really needed was the archtectural CAD file to show the wall constrction. Then the designer determnes the attachment method. If this information ws not provided to the designer, well garbage in results in garbage out. Designers need proper information to render a proper drawing.
Matt, have you ever seen the prints for an airport job before? They are so detailed, you know what color paint is being used on the base boards. I assure you this job was drawn by licensed professionals. This was not an afterthought "add on". Somewhere someone screwed the pooch. Doubtful it was the "designer".
Designers need proper training. Which only comes from real experience. A designer does not determine the structural integrity of a sign or attachment methods. That is done by a licensed engineer. Designers are paid to draw pictures of signs we can sell, and hopefully fabricate.
My in house "designer" does a nice job drawing signs we can actually build. That took quite a while to train him on sign fabrication basics. I had him spend time in the shop being a grunt. He also has spent time in the field installing signs. He now has a good skill set after 6 years. He understands how frames are welded. How pylon signs are built and installed. How neon and LED is wired.
I would never let him spec out a foundation detail. Or a wall attachment beyond a channel letter set, or a building cabinet. We have those cross sections for attachment already engineered and saved in our system. His job is to get the customers logo or design laid out. Then it's out of his hands. That's when; engineering, fabrication, installation do their jobs.
Not trying to slam you Matt. Just pointing out it takes a lot of trained professionals to complete a successful job. Somewhere in this situation, someone cut out the wrong person. Could have been through cost savings, lack of knowledge, or plain laziness. The courts will have to figure that out.
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My dad had no clue why they used the "period." He thinks it probably originated in Germany. He thinks my grandpa's old store sign didn't have it. But his service trucks did, on the painted door lettering.
The mystery continues...
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I will ask my dad. He was born in New Ulm. My grandpa owned the General Electric store in town. I know my dad drank a lot of their beer. Maybe he'll know.
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A tragic, but preventable accident.
This sad situation just points out our responsibilities as a sign professional. This may not be considered a sign, in the scope of this project. Maybe a sign professional was not involved. The bottom line is the installer is going to bear the brunt of the blame. Regardless if this install was followed 100% to specs. The installer would have been aware of this "signs" instability when standing it upright. From the picture and video I've seen. I saw zero mechanical fasteners in the wall. It looks as if the "sign" was pre assembled, as a stand alone unit. Stood upright, the electrical and data feeds were connected. And the sign was pushed into place. I didn't see the liquid nail, maybe it was clear silicone?
As an installer, it is our responsibility to point out a potential dangerous situation. This is no different then coming across an illegal or dangerous electrical issue. By law we must rectify, or terminate the issue.
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We don't get charged for COI's or adding additional insured. Just a phone call and it's emailed in 15 mins usually.
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Take a picture and post it, with a brief description. Good chance someone on here may have the same truck. I own 2 Altec's.
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I did an apprenticeship at a union shop, That was the only thing good about being in the Union, free school, and a $1 raising after passing every stage.
for years after that I didnt like unions, I though they had outlived their purpose, but now the way some companies are expecting employees to do the work
of 2 or more people, at the lowest wages I have seen in my lifetime, I think maybe Unions could be good after all :)
Not sure about other companies. I pay my guys very fair wages and benefits. I expect them to do the job I am paying them for. It's impossible for one person to do the actual work of 2 or more people in the same amount of time. Unless the 2 or more people are not pulling their weight.
Your post reminded me of a former employee who just left my employ for a $2.00 hike in pay. (not saying your like this guy) He had the ability to take his Journeyman test for 6 months. Once he passed, he would receive a $3.00 raise from me. He never took the test. His reason for leaving was, "He didn't make enough money last year, and didn't get enough over time." He was with me for over 3 years, and a valued hard working employee. But he could not legally be a lead man on his own truck as an apprentice. He is now driving over 50 miles each way for his new job. Versus the 18 miles each way working for me. Now lets add the 35 days he missed work last year. Yes 35 days. Now add in the fact his co workers had to pick up his slack. Which made each job take longer, and me cost more. To summarize, missing 7 weeks of work unpaid, plus his 2 weeks of paid vacation. Left us 1 man short for 2 1/2 months.
His $16.00 extra a day is lost on fuel. Not to mention the extra 1 1/2 hour drive coming out of his personal time. If someone quits working for me to go to a competitor. They will never be re hired by me.
I expect my employees to treat my business as it were their own. The more they put into it, the more they get in return.
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Finding a reason to shovel snow in Minnesota. Must be like using your cars heater on a Texas summer day.
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Crazy. Looked like you were walking on the Moon.
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I think it's time for a campfire, and a Kumbaya sing along.
Dun & Bradstreet email virus alert
in General Message Board
Posted
Been getting those for a couple weeks now. Also got some last year from the BBB. Both useless organizations IMO.