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Read Up on the Latest Construction Trends

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Donuts. Cupcakes. Open concept homes. The color gray. Trends are a thing that happen in every industry out there, including the construction industry. It’s important for a contractor to keep up-to-date on the latest trends to not only keep up with the times, but to please, impress, and attract a clientele. Some trends stick, some go away fast, but regardless of their duration it’s good for a contractor business to be in the know of such trends. Being the end of 2017, we wanted to share with you some trends that have been emerging in the industry and will go into 2018.

 

  • Energy efficient wall systems. Commercial construction is starting to used insulating concrete blocks to be integrated into wall systems, which can improve energy efficiency in a building. They make the building stronger, better insulted, have better fire resistance, and reduces noise from the outside. This types of walls aren’t just better at conserving energy (and all the other reasons above), they also are easier to put up for contractors and don’t cost much. These types of walls also can be used in every region of the country.
  • Green design. Just like above, being efficient and “greener” is the way to go these days, especially since the world has started to see the negative effects of climate change. How can a contractor be more green in the things he or she does? Examples include: using recyclable or sustainable materials, improve air quality, better controls for lightings and temperature, more natural lightings, better insulation, etc.
  • Smart Glass. Again, just like the two trends above, this is also with the “green” trend. Smart glass is tinted/glazed in a way that improves energy efficiency. How? This glass can control glare, harsh light, and block heat from the sun’s rays. Smart glass is also known to reduce costs. Soon, people will be able to control smart glass electronically and dictate how much the glass is tinted or how much heat is should absorb. Really cool!

Right now, it seems green is the way to go in terms of trends in the construction world. As a company, it would be in your best interest to implement some of these items into your blueprints. Your clients will be excited and impressed that you offered these components into the design. These above trends not only help you keep up with other contractor businesses, but they truly help improve building design and help the environment.

 

Before you think of contractor trends, it’s important that you are legally licensed to practice contracting work. You don’t want to pay fines or get arrested. If you’re looking to get your Florida contractor’s license, we can help you get through the process fast. We are a Florida contractor licensing company. To get started on the process, click here or call us at 239-777-1028.

Electrical Contractor Shortage

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When it comes to electricians, 85,900 professionals will be needed to fill electrician jobs by 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The need for electricians will continue to rise, says BLS, in the next 10 years due to wiring needs in residences and businesses, along with construction booming. However, there seems to be a shortage of electricians at the time to fill in all these needed positions. If you’re looking to become an electrical contractor, now is the time! In the next decade, the job outlook has it growing at 14%. Apparently, employers, according to BLS, are also having a hard time finding qualified employees, so this is a field where you can easily jump into, once you’ve completed the proper training and licensure.

What does an electrical contractor/electrician do exactly? Well, he or she maintains and installs electrical systems in homes, businesses, and other buildings. They look at blueprints, deal with repairs, work with other types of contractors in order to complete their part of the job. The average salary for this occupation is $51,880.

If you like problem solving, fast-paced work that allows you to work with your hands and meet a lot of new people, this is the career for you.

If you want to hire a good electrician, it’s a good idea, as a contractor, to offer individuals additional training and certification, so they see a career path for themselves. Since so many companies will be in demand of electricians, companies need to truly offer electrical contractors something that other companies will not (newest technology, better wages, flexible work hours, job advancement).  These approaches will help employees stick around longer and choose one company over the other hundreds looking to fill electrical contractor positions.

Looking to become an electrical contractor? Now is the time! Let us help you. Learn more here about getting an electrical contractor’s license.  It’s imperative that you get licensed. Unlicensed work is illegal in the state of Florida, and customers will have less trust in you. As a Florida contractor licensing company, we want to help you get your license in such a fast-growing field. We will do all the heavy-lifting of the application process for you. To get started on this process, click here or call 239-777-1028.

 

 

 

 

 

How to Renew a Contractor License

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Do you currently have a Florida contractor’s license? Is it up for renewal? If you’re unsure of how to renew your contractor’s license, we can help you through the process. We will take you through the steps needed to renew your license correctly.

 

When renewing your contractor’s license, there is two parts. First, you have to pay a renewal fee; then, you have to complete continuing education (CEU) courses.

 

If you are a registered contractor in the state of Florida, you are likely registered online with the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR). Click here to access the DBPR’s website. Log into your account. If you do not have an account set up yet, click here for a tutorial on how to create your account and how to link your contractor license to the account.  In this site, you can upload necessary documents and paperwork, check your application status, renew your license, make payments, update contact information view classes information, and more.

 

Once you’re logged into the site, these are the steps for contractor license renewal:

  1. Click on the contractor license you want to renew. The list to choose from is on the right.
  2. Select “Renew”
  3. A disclaimer screen will pop up explaining CEU information. After you read it, click “Next.”
  4. A screen with your name, birthday and SSN will pop up. Click “Next.”
  5. A screen with your main address will pop up. If you need to change your address, click the “Main Address” button. If you’d like to add an additional address or add a new phone number, click “Add.”
  6. Click “Next” when done with address information.
  7. A summary page will pop up to conform any change mads. It will provide the information about to be saved into the system. Read this page. If the information is correct, click “Next.” If there is an error, click “Previous” to make changes.
  8. Complete the Attest Statement by selecting “Yes,” followed by “Submit.”
  9. A payment screen will pop up showing the renewal price. Click “Pay Now” to complete the transaction or click “Submit Additional Applications” if you have more than one license that needs renewal. You can pay either by credit card or electronic check.
  10. After you enter in your payment information, your card will be processed, and a confirmation number will be provided for you.

 

License Renewal Parts

 

Paying Renewal Fees – Check the DBPR site for the current 2017 renewal fees for certified and registered contractors. There is also info about unlicensed activity fees.

 

CEU Requirement –  In, Florida, contractors must complete 14 hours of board-approved CEU hours for each two-year renewal cycle. Courses can be taken online or in a classroom This includes:  workplace safety, worker’s compensation, business practices, Florida laws, false alarms, and Florida Building Code. The remaining seven hours go to courses reflecting your specific trade in the contractor work whether it’s plumbing or electrical or any other specialty you’re in.

 

Need Help with Your Florida Contractor License Renewal?

If you need help with the contractor license renewal process or need help finding CEU courses, we can help you. We are a Florida contractor licensing company. To start the process today, contact us at 239-777-1028 or click here to learn more.

 

Make Sure You’re Covered with Worker’s Compensation Insurance

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Workplace accidents happen. This is why it is important for a contractor to have general liability and worker’s compensation insurance (that is updated and sufficient), especially when on a job site. Florida’s insurance coverage requirements are always in effect for active licenses, regardless if there is a current project going on or not.

When you get your Florida contractor’s license, the state gives licensees a 30-day period from when your license was issues to get worker’s compensation insurance or an exemption. Exemptions are used when a licensed contractor has no employees. However, when it comes to general liability insurance coverage, Florida contractor licensees must obtain the minimum coverage immediately. Whether you plan to work a job immediately or not, you still need to get coverage right away to avoid fines and penalities.

If you move places of employment or ceased the operation of a company, you need to take the proper steps to deactivate the license or move it to a new entity. As long as your license is in an active status, you are required to be properly insured, so make sure your status is inactive if you plan on not working.

Just a reminder: insurance is required to pull permits, so remember to keep your coverages updated and make sure you are covered in all ways you’re legally supposed to be.

If you have any questions about worker’s compensation insurance, exemptions, or general liability insurance for Florida contractors, we can help you. We can also help give you an insurance referral. If you’re looking to get a Florida contractor’s license, we can help you start the process today. We make the process easy and quick. We do all the heavy lifting for you! We know how to properly fill out forms and file to ensure your application will go through and not get denied. Contact us by clicking here or calling 239-777-1028.

What Is A Mold Assessor

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mold assessor

Mold can be found anywhere, especially in Southwest Florida. It’s muggy, moist, and hot down here. Mold is a health hazard and can cause people to contract breathing problems, depressions and can impair the entire human system and can possibly even lead to death. Some mold can be seen, but some mold is unseen, which is even more dangerous. We could be breathing it. Good thing we have mold assessors. Yes, it’s an actual career.

Mold accessors perform an assessment of mold in a building or home by taking a physical sample and detailed evaluation. They create a detailed evaluation of the building comes from the building’s history and their inspection to figure out where the origin of the mold was, what kind it is and what the extent of the removal will be. Mold can often be a warning sign of structural issues with a building or home, as well, so these issues need to be addressed quickly by a mold accessor.

The mold accessor will address a remediation (removal) of the mold, which involves cleaning, sanitizing, demolition, and other treatments. In Florida, mold assessors need to be licensed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation; they also need to possess a state-issued mold assessor license. The state also requires that a mold accessor meets specific educational guidelines and stay current by continuing education credits. Florida mold accessors are also required to have insurance coverage.

Mold accessors need to stay up to date on the latest technologies, codes and approaches to mold assessment and abatement because they are constantly changing. A mold accessor is expected to take at least 14 hours of continued education every two years to keep up with changes.

A great accessor has a full understanding of the full cycle of assessment and remediation with mold. Have you thought about getting your mold assessor or mold remediator license? We can help! There are lots of items to pull together to get your license, we can help you make the process smooth and simple. To contact us, click here or call 239-777-1028.