Signs West President Warns Buyers to Beware of a Rash of Unlicensed Illegal Sign Companies on the Rise in Southern Nevada
Mark Yurik, President of Signs West, warns buyers to beware of illegal sign companies springing up in Southern Nevada. A business license alone isn’t a license to bid on, sell, or install a sign or banner in the State of Nevada. Nearly everyday our company spots an unlicensed company installing electrical signs on store fronts, drilling into the ground, or hanging banners on buildings. Some big name corporations and newly formed small businesses think they are getting a better price, but what often ends up happening is the unlicensed company is caught putting up a sign and then the sign is confiscated. The illegal company will face heavy fines, a court appearance, and possibly even jail time. The unsuspecting buyer looses their deposit or entire amount paid in most instances.
Mark points out what to look for: “Buyer Beware!”
v The State of Nevada requires licensed contractors to have their contracting license on their install vehicles as well as their bids and invoices. Companies merely having a business license is what fools most uninformed buyers. The easiest way for a buyer to know if they are dealing with a fully licensed company is to simply ask for their contracting license number. If they don’t provide it, then there is a good chance they are unlicensed. The buyer’s next move would be to check it against this link–http://www.nvcontractorsboard.com/ . This is the State of Nevada’s Directory of Licensed Contractors. Just click on search Licensed Contractors and then type in name of the company who is wanting to sell you a sign, banner, or any other type of service. If the company is truly legitimate they will show up as active and their bid limit will be displayed. If the company is registered as legally licensed for the work or service they are providing, note the bid limit to insure that your desired project or service is within their stated limit.
v The site will also show the classification of the company you are researching. The company may have a license for making a banner or a sign, but they may not be licensed to install these items.
v An upright, legal sign company is required to carry insurance minimums. These minimums regularly exceed millions of dollars in order to protect the buyer, community, and the sign company from any risk or accident that may occur. They have certified installers trained in the proper procedures of all installs. A licensed company pays into the Workman’s Compensation fund, state Social Security fund, Unemployment fund, permits, fees, taxes, and all other costs required by the State Contractors Board. A licensed company maintains safety manuals and meets OSHA standards. As one may quickly see, doing business with a licensed contractor protects our community and the buyer at the same time.
v Next time you request a bid or a quote make sure you know with whom who you’re doing business. It may appear like your getting a better deal, when in fact you are exposing yourself to legal and other costs should an illegal company cause harm, have an accident on the site, or is caught by authorities. Always do business with licensed contractors to ensure everyone’s peace of mind.
v If you spot an illegal company putting up a sign and their install vehicle is not clearly marked with a NV Contractor License number, simply take a few digital pictures, write down the license plate number, and turn them into the applicable city, county, or local jurisdictions. Ask for the department in charge of code enforcement.
v It is illegal for a company that is not licensed to use another company’s license to sell you goods and services. It is legal for a certain class of contracting license to make your sign, and then utilize (subcontract) with a licensed subcontractor to handle the permitting, engineering, and install of the sign if it’s to code and specifications.
In summary, the primary problem is your neighbor in business may have bought a set of electrical letters or a sign requiring installation from an unlicensed sign company. The unlicensed company then installs it or begins to dig on the property. Oftentimes the unlicensed company hits a power line, cable line, uses faulty wiring or rebuilt non-approved transformers. The results could be financially catastrophic, as well as, present a physical danger. Any one of these outcomes could make your company vulnerable to civil and criminal lawsuits, fines, litigation, or prosecution from numerous governing entities.
Help Nevada provide a safe environment for all its residents and tourists. Do business with legally licensed contractors. Signs West is a fully licensed and insured contractor in good standing in the State of Nevada and Arizona. Signs West is also a UL Approved fabricator. When you do business with Signs West, you are doing business with a law-abiding, professionally run, fully licensed company.
