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I find this term often used but it tends to be a mighty "broad brush".
There certainly are some true Pro's who can do awesome refurbs on our boats. Then again there are many more who tout themselves as Professionals and the terms "Scam Artists & Hacks" comes to mind.
I hired such a Pro this summer to do some gel coat repairs on my project boat. He came highly recommended by others he had done work for. I will be re-doing all that he did next spring when I recover from the wasted material expense and get his cob job sanded off.
My best advice where Pro's are concerned is to go and view their work and be completely satisfied he is in fact a Pro before you allow him to touch your boat.
As an accomplished Finish Carpenter, Cabinet and Furniture maker I am very well aware that any guy with a circular saw and hammer can call himself a carpenter. I get to repair their work all the time.
One other issue to ponder, What I consider "done right" is not the same as someone else "done right". Its true you really need to see someones work before using them, also I inspect what materials are to be used as well. And last, let them give you a time frame and add a couple of days giving them a finished time frame, if the project is not completed in the agreed time frame (accidents, emergencies and weather need to be worked out) monies will be deducted from the total per day of non completion, This protects you from a slug non worker...
1) A member of a true profession. The prerequisites include doing work that requires specialized skills, formal education, benefits society as a whole, adheres to a formal code of ethics established by a "professional" society, has an associated licensing body, and so on. This is the "narrow" brush, limited to Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, Priests, and a few more.
2) Someone who gets paid for work.
3) Anywhere in between.
As an Electrical Engineer with 7 years of house painting experience, I put zero stock in the term. It means nothing. The first time I got paid for a week of painting my father told me, "Congratulations. Now you're a professional." I'll never forget it and think of it every time I hear the word.
The word "Professional" is widely mis-used in this country. Millions use it incorrectly. "Engineer" is another widly misused term.
As Swamp states, in most jurisidictions of the U.S., there are only 6 licensed Professions, all requiring considerable advanced education degrees from accedited Colleges and Universities, and rigorous testing:
1. Medical Doctors
2. Dentists
3. Lawyers
4. Architects
5. Professional Engineers
6. Certified Public Accountants
Professionals are responsible, and held financially accountable, for the public SAFETY and general welfare within their fields. Professional Liability insurance protects them from claims of Malpractice.
There are other licensed people, but they are not considered Professionals. This would include Contractors, Insurance Agents, Appraisers, Beauticians, etc.
So if a gelcoat repairman tells you he does "professional" work, beware! The word "excellent" would be a more appropriate claim.
"So if a gelcoat repairman tells you he does "professional" work, beware! The word "excellent" would be a more appropriate claim."
Thanks Fin! The guy I hired could be called a Professional Con Man and not much more. I am almost positive he has done a bunch of unsatisfactory GC jobs but considers himself well trained at bailing before the bubbles appear.
What this thread was all about is exactly as you describe, "Professionally Restored" is about as useless as a screen door in a submarine!
I will have to come to rescue of Larry here.
And this from the wrath of all certified and professional people in the US and Canada.
Never to confuse White Snow and Snow White. http://www.learnersdictionary.com/sea...nal%5B1%5D
Professional work will involve a certain level of standards
A given pride in the consistent and excellent end product
And a price tag reflecting the Quality of work and efforts involved.
Does not mean that every professional person will always do excellent work though.
After all, some Doctors are better than others.
And so it will be in all Professions.
Here is a good tip. never hire a carpenter who comes to work with a ballpeen hammer. I saw this actually happen back in the early seventies in Cape Coral florida. There was so much construction work going on that just about everyone was a "tradsman", but that guy didn't get hired.
