Month: June 2019

 

Fraud, unfortunately, occurs in every industry. It may not be entirely avoidable but there are things a contractor or construction company can to help prevent some incidences from occurring. Often, companies do not catch fraud early on because they have too many employees, projects, sites, supplies, and more, going on that they are unable to see the signs of fraud.

In the construction industry, people can be fraudulent by stealing time, whether they leave early, show up late, or take too many or too long of breaks. People also can alter time sheets and get paid for time they didn’t work which can cost a company money. How can you prevent this? Security cameras can help show when employees are truly clocking in and out to see if timesheets are accurate.

The construction industry can be full of dangerous jobs and some employees steal from companies by faking injuries. With an injury, an employee can get paid without doing work, so people fake injuries to get paid for something nothing. Reporting injuries causes a company’s workers compensation benefits to increase.  Security cameras at job sites will be able to record if an employee actually harmed themselves on the job.

Some subtractors will overbill for work that wasn’t performed. The best way to prevent fraudulent subcontractors is to find one with good recommendations/reviews and one with a license and proof of insurance.

Other ways to prevent fraud in the workplace:

• Conduct background screenings.
• Monitor activities of the business – have multiple people do this.
• Review invoices.
• Review itemized payment applications.

Fraud can be common in construction, which is why it should never be a shock to anyone. You want to do as much as you can to prevent fraud, so you won’t lose or fall behind financially. While it is amazing how common fraud is in the construction field, it shouldn’t be of any surprise to any company.  That is why every company will want to make sure that they have all their bases covered, so that they do not suffer needlessly while losing revenue in the future.

Looking to get your contractor license? As a contractor licensing company, we can help you get your contractor license in any state. We have helped thousands of contractors across the United States get licensed. It is illegally in many states to work unlicensed. You will find jobs faster and be trusted more easily with a license.

After speaking with you by phone or email, we will help you complete your contractor license application and will send it to the Construction Licensing Board on your behalf to get you approved.  We do the work for you and let you know what we need from you in order to complete the application correctly.

To get your contractor license, click our Florida contractor license  page to get started with us or call us at  239-777-1028.

 

Corruption exists in all industries. Unfortunately, corruption is higher in construction than any other sector of the economy. It is estimated that there are 10-30 percent losses through corruption yearly for the construction industry.

Reasons why corruption can happen easily and occurs a lot in the construction industry:

• The size of the industry’s projects, which are often big, creates a bigger opportunity to inflate costs.
• Inflating costs is easier to hide since all projects are so unique.
• With many contractual links, there are many opportunities for bribery.
• Control and oversight can be difficult when many different tasks are outsourced.
• Complex projects allow for mistakes to be hidden easier.
• Companies learn to adapt to bribery and corruption to keep up with their competition.
• There is space for corruption when there is a lack of due diligence.
• Each profession and trade have different codes of conduct and practices.
• There is not one single organization that is responsible for the industry.
• There’s not a lot of transparency, historically, in the construction field.
• Public companies have more control of the market so it’s harder for private companies to compete.
• Worker’s poor jobs can be easily hidden under layers of other materials.
• When there is a lack of projects, there is a higher risk of bribery.

 

There’s a lot of money in construction – it’s worth more than $3.2 trillion a year and the global output is $17.5 trillion roughly. Many constructors don’t want to be a part of the corruption but feel pressured to, especially when competition is doing it.

Just like with fraud, you can prevent corruption by being transparent and open with all business you do.
The construction industry is a growing, exciting place – and contractors are in high demand. Need to get your contractor license? As a contractor licensing company, we can help you get your contractor license in any state.

We have helped thousands of contractors across the United States get licensed. Do not practice without a license – it is illegal in most states to work as a contractor with no license.

After speaking with you, we will help you put together your contractor license application and will send it to the Construction Licensing Board in your state on your behalf to get you approved.

To get your contractor license, click our Florida contractor license  page to get started with us or call us at  239-777-1028.

 

 

Construction Unions have been around in the United States since the 1935. In 1935, the Federal Labor Relations Act gave U.S. workers the right to have collective bargaining rights. Since then, unions appeared and grew.

Most construction trades have unions and your trade (as a contractor) usually determines what union you will be in. The union guarantees training that will help increase a contractor’s pay, pension plan, and access to job opportunities.

Here are the top/most popular construction unions:

Laborers’ International Union of America – This union, also known as the Laborer’s Union, was formed in 1903; it has more than 500,000 members in nine regions. This union was one of the first unions to create a plan to help improve health and safety of workers and drug/alcohol rehabilitation programs.

United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America – This union was founded in 1881 and it has more than 500,000 members in the North American chapter. For years, they fought for increased wages, sickness/death benefits and eight-hour work days

United Association of Journeyman and Apprentices of the Plumbing, Pipefitting, and Sprinkler Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada – This union was founded in 1889  and its membership has grown a lot after World War II.

Sheet Metal Workers International Association – This union began in 1888. This union is fo anyone in the trade of architectural sheet metal work, heating and air conditioning work, shipbuilding, appliance construction, specialty parts manufacturing, heater and boiler construction, and any other job using sheet metal. In 2004, they merged with the United Transportation Union to become the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, known as SMART.

International Union of Painters and Allied Trades – This union began in 1887 and has 160,000 members who are painters, glaziers, floor installers, glass workers, drywall finishers, wall coverers, and more.

Unions exist in the construction industry because it is a difficult and dangerous job, so it ensures workers are getting the right benefits they deserve.

As a contractor, you can join a union and fight for your rights and benefits, so you can have a successful career. Looking to get your contractor license? We can help

We are a contractor licensing company helping thousands of contractors across the United States. We are based in Florida.

After speaking with you by phone or email, we will complete the contractor license application for you and will mail it off to the Construction Licensing Board on your behalf to get you approved. We get our clients approved fast.

To get your contractor license, click our Fl contractor license  page to get started with us or call us at  239-777-1028.

 

 

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t solely the future…it’s here. The construction industry and all forms of contractor work are slowly adopting AI into their practices. AI is now seen as a norm, it’s not “sci-fiction” like once seen years ago. Each year, AI technology continues to evolve and advance.

In the construction industry, there is a lot of potential to use AI, especially on projects that require careful handling or tedious work. Repetitive tasks can be automated through AI and human error can decrease. AI can help people save time, monitor progress of wok, identity errors and risks, and send alerts. Overall, AL can help reduce or avoid problems or unnecessary costs.

Besides the reasons listed above, we wanted to share more ways AI is being used in the construction field.

• AI is being used for risk assessment. AI is making risk assessment faster and more accurate because AI can compile lots of data and analyze it and access construction risk factors.
• AI is being used to boost productivity through construction management software by monitoring and supervising operations from brickwork to flooring. AI systems can alert when there are problems and show corrective steps.
• AI is being used for safety. AI looks for risk factors and reports them.
• AI is being used for documentation – it makes it accurate and accessible with a lot less errors.
• AI can take stock of inventory.
• AI comes in the form of robots which can help eliminate accidents and injuries.

AI continues to change in the construction industry. More solutions are being made to improve communication, security, and more.

Looking to be part of an advanced industry? Want to work with AI technology? Become a contractor! To be a contractor, you need to be licensed to practice legally, like in the state of Florida.

We are a contractor licensing company, who has helped thousands of contractors get their contractor license. We are based in Florida but help clients all over the United States.

We will complete the contractor license application for you and will mail it off to the Construction Licensing Board on your behalf to get you approved. We get our clients approved fast.

To get your contractor license, click our Fl contractor license  page to get started with us or call 239-777-1028.

 

 

There are so many different types of contractors – plumbing, electrical, HVAC, general, etc. For this article, we wanted to focus on mechanical contractors and share a little bit about the job.

According to the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, a mechanical contractor is a contractor who offers services that are unlimited in “the execution of contracts requiring the experience, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, fabricate, alter, extend, or design, if not prohibited by law, central air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilating systems, including duct work in connection with a complete system if such duct work is performed by the contractor as necessary to complete an air-distribution system, boiler and unfired pressure vessel systems, lift station equipment and piping, and all appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used in connection therewith, and any duct cleaning and equipment sanitizing that requires at least a partial disassembling of the system.”

If you’d like a more in-depth, descriptive definition of what a mechanical contractor is defined by the state of Florida, click Florida mechanical contractor. This site will also tell you when a license is needed for this profession or not.

 

A mechanical contractor is a type of engineer who takes existing systems and redesigns them so they work better. Mechanical engineers exist in all industries including NASA, food processing, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and more. Mechanical contractors design, manufacture and handle the operation of certain components or devices that are created by mechanical engineers. Mechanical contractors figure out problems and fix them.

For the most part, employers prefer mechanical contractor applicants with a postsecondary education and those who go through an apprenticeship Many get a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology. Mechanical contractors have to take exams to get their license.

To be a mechanical contractor, advanced math and mechanical skills are necessary, as well as problem-solving skills, listening skills, communication skills, and creativity skills.

Licensing requirements vary state to state for mechanical contractors.

In 2015, the average pay for a mechanical contractor was $45,110 a year. In 2014, there were 292,000 mechanical contractors in the United States. From 2014 to 2024, it is predicted that there will be a 14 percent increase in the number of mechanical contractor jobs available.

A mechanical contractor can work in aircraft mechanics, sheet metal mechanics or structural mechanics or HVAC technology.  Mechanical contractors are involved during every step of the process in projects involving mechanical parts. You can thank mechanical contractors for helping build everything from cell phones to cars.

Want to know more about mechanical contractors and getting a mechanical contractor license? Click our mechanical contractor license page.

To be a mechanical contractor, you must be licensed. We can help you get your Florida mechanical contractor license or get this license in any other state. We are a contractor licensing company, who has helped thousands of contractors get their contractor license.

We will complete the license application for you, and will mail it off to the Construction Licensing Board on your behalf to get you approved.

To get your contractor license, click our Fl contractor license  page to get started with us or call 239-777-1028.

 

 

Construction managers have many responsibilities including planning, execution, monitoring, controlling and closing a project. It can be a stressful job but it’s also a rewarding job. These managers have to care about the budget, time management, quality, contracts, and safety.

A good construction manager (CM) should be analytical, creative, know how to deal with stress, know how to solve problems, know how to communicate, and show leadership and support. A CM should know math, physics IT, technical engineering, have training in evaluating performance and productivity, have construction site experience, and have additional specialties related to the field they are managing. Good CMs should understand technical complexities, have organizational data analysis skills, and have a knowledge of security procedures and legal matters.

CMs need to know how to communicate well (clearly and effectively) to keep a project and business functioning. CMs keep information concise and precise. They know how, when, and who to delegate tasks to. They create a teamwork environment, evaluate progress, respect deadlines, how to prioritize tasks, and how to problem solve.

Does this seem like a lot? Well, a lot of these skills are learned on site while doing the job while others are learned through studies and schooling. As a CM, you are a leader and need to be well-versed in all these above-mentioned skills to keep a project on time and within budget.

All CMs are contractors and are licensed. Want to know more about getting a general contractor license and or another specialty contractor license? Click our how to get a contractor license page.

To be a mechanical CM, you must be licensed. We can help you get your Florida contractor license or get a contractor license in any other state. We are a contractor licensing company. We have helped thousands of contractors get their contractor license.

We will complete the license application for you with your help and will mail it off to the Construction Licensing Board on your behalf to get you approved.

To get your contractor license, click our Fl contractor license  page to get started with us or call 239-777-1028.

 

 

 

 

There are many construction companies out there, but not all are successful. What can help a construction company succeed? There are a few things or habits a construction company owner or manager can do to guarantee a better chance of success.

• Organization – Successful businesses are organized and can multitask multiple problems, projects, and people. With good organization, you can better manage resources (time, manpower, materials). Being organized can help save a lot of time and effort.
• Project management software – Successful businesses use project management software that help projects run more smoothly. This software can keep track of projects, keep risks under control, and will ultimately help improve efficiency and productivity.
• Time management – Successful businesses manage their time well. Owners and managers who know where to focus first move along better in projects.
• No rushing – Successful businesses don’t rush into decisions.
• Pay attention to the details – Successful businesses pay attention to details, so nothing is forgotten.
• Delegation – Successful businesses know how, to who, and what to delegate.
• Saying “No” – Successful businesses know when they have to say “no” or “yes.” You don’t want to take on too much and not be able to handle a task. You want to find a good balance between saying “yes” and “no.”
• Networking – You can build your business and clientele by meeting with and talking to the right people.
• Value teamwork — Encouraging team spirit and creating an open dialogue can lead to a high-functioning collaborative work environment.

Other habits to help build success in a construction business:

• Surrounding yourself with the right people.
• Having a role model.
• Choosing to learn new things often.
• Acknowledging mistakes.
• Asking for help.
• Setting goals.
• Keeping priorities straight.
• Practicing flexibility.
• Being a good leader.
• Being protective of workers.
• Communicating and listening well.
• Thinking positive.
• Celebrating small successes as much as the big ones.
• Dreaming big.

 

Working as any kind of contractor is a rewarding and fulfilling career where you can meet lots of new people, learn the newest technology, be a part of exciting projects, and learn new skills.

Looking to get your contractor license? As a contractor licensing company, we can help you get your contractor license in any state. We have helped thousands of contractors across the United States get licensed. We are based in Florida.

After speaking with you by phone or email, we will help you complete the contractor license application for you and will mail it off to the Construction Licensing Board on your behalf to get you approved.  We do all the heavy lifting for you and let you know what we need from you in order to complete the application correctly. We get our contractor clients approved fast.

To get your contractor license, click our Florida contractor license  page to get started with us or call us at  239-777-1028.

 

 

 

Looking for a new career? Or just starting out in the working world? Consider a career as a contractor. Contracting is a huge field. Electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, roofers, painters, sheet metal workers, and more are all contractors. Whether you enjoy being indoors or out, there’s a specialty for you.

A job in contracting is physically demanding and mentally stimulating. You’re always meeting new people in new places.

As a Florida contractor licensing company, our job is to help people get their contractor’s license in Florida or any other state.

For this article, we want to share important reasons why a career as a contractor is a good one. Below, we’ve listed several different reasons to consider a career in this industry – we believe it is a rewarding career.

1. Contractors are in demand and there will always be a need for them. The openings for each specialty continue to grow each year. With a growing population and reconstruction, along with old buildings aging, there is always a high demand for the work contractors do, even with new technology. Even when the economy is bad, the jobs of contractors are always needed in some way, especially for maintenance.
2. You get to work with different people and learn hands-on specialized skills.
3. You can learn communication skills, leadership skills, problem-solving skills, and more.
4. A contractor’s license gives you credibility and people will trust the work you do. A license shows you know your stuff and are trained.
5. With a contractor’s license, you’ll be able to land high-paying jobs at bigger companies.
6. You get to work on many different projects, and the chance of getting bored is rare.
7. You don’t necessarily need a college degree to work, but you do need experience and training. You can save a lot of money on schooling by going into contracting.
8. Contractors can make good money. For example, an electrical contractor can earn up to $85-90K per year.
9. With the right experience, you can move up in this industry, practice across specialties, and even manage or and own your own contracting company.
10. You get to learn the newest technology (drones, project management software, AI, and more).

 

Thinking about getting your Florida contractor license or other state contractor license? Let us help you. We do all the hard work for you. We have helped thousands get licensed to begin their careers.

As a contractor licensing company, we can help you get your contractor license in any state. After speaking with you by phone or email, we will help you complete the contractor license application for you. We will send it to the Construction Licensing Board on your behalf to get you approved. We get our contractor clients approved fast.

To get your contractor license, click our Florida contractor license  page to get started with us or call us at  239-777-1028.

 

 

 

 

Good communication is essential for anything in life to be successful, including in the construction industry. As a contractor licensing company, we wanted to share with you different ways you can better your communication so your contracting company can be more successful.

But first, what causes poor communication in construction?

• Unclear writing
• Mistakes in writing
• Incomplete drawings
• Wrong drawings
• Misused terms

Ways to improve communication in construction:

• Use project management tools and software to keep everyone on the same page, to track everything, to schedule, to plan, to show conflicts, manage orders, and more.
• Send the message in different ways if you are afraid it wasn’t received.
• Establish clear lines of communication for information and messages.
• Avoid jargon and slang. Keep message simple.
• Use document software that tracks revisions to keep everyone connected.
• Organize training for all equipment and software so there will never be confusion.
• Encourage feedback and always follow-up.
• Hire qualified and skilled workers.

 

How to Get Your Contractor’s License

Communication is key to having a thriving career and business in the construction industry. Never be afraid to speak up if something is unclear. You want to do your job right.

. If you need a contractor’s license, we can help get you licensed. We are a Florida contractor licensing company, but we get people licensed all over the United States. We can help you get any type of contractor’s license whether in plumbing, electrical, HVAC, solar, general, and more.

To start the application process, you will need to provide us information about yourself, your skills, your background, your testing results, your education, your job experience, etc. We will let you know what is required. We will submit a completed application to the Construction Licensing Board on your behalf. Most of our clients are accepted the first time.

To get your contractor license, click our Florida contractor’s license page to learn more or call 239-777-1028 to get started with us.