Housing sales ‘heat wave’ continues into July

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 Florida’s housing market continued to heat up in July, as it picked up steam for the second summer month.

 

Florida Realtors reported that July was a strong month for statewide housing sales, with higher median sales prices, more pending sales, and additional new listings. Single-family home sales totaled 24,546 — up 2 percent from July 2016 levels — while condo-townhouse sales totaled 9,246 – up 3.6 percent.

 

Sales and prices were also up in June of this year.

 

“Florida’s housing market gained momentum in July,” said Florida Realtors President Maria Wells in a news release. “More owners decided to put their homes up for sale. However, even with the increase in new listings, inventory remains tight and buyer demand is great. New listings for single-family existing homes rose 6.1 percent year-[to]-year, while new listings for existing condo-townhouse properties rose 5.5 percent.”

 

“Homes continue to sell quickly, resulting in increased pending sales – up 3.3 percent for single-family homes and up 3.6 percent for condo-townhouse units,” she added.

 

Statewide, the median sales price for single-family homes was $240,000 – up 7.1 percent year-to-year, while the median price for condo-townhouses was $170,950 — up 6.8 percent. July reportedly marked the 68th month in a row that statewide median prices for both sectors rose year-over-year.

 

Nationwide, the number of housing starts and completions was mixed in July compared to the same month last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

 

The number of privately owned housing starts totaled 1.15 million – down 5.6 percent – while housing completions stood at 1.17 million – up 8.2 percent. Housing starts and completions have risen consistently since July 2012.

 

New housing starts are considered to be an indicator of economic strength, and present opportunities for contractors and workers in the construction trades. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a slight uptick in new construction industry jobs in July, with most of the increases seen in the residential construction sector.

 

Housing and real estate data for August 2017 was released in mid-September.

 

A Florida contractor licensing company can help individuals and companies navigate the state’s licensing requirements, with approvals as quick as 10 days. For more information on Florida contractor requirements or to get an application started, visit our Florida contractor’s license website or call 239-777-1028.

 

Report: Construction jobs increased in August

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The U.S. construction industry added 28,000 jobs in August, but contractors expressed difficulties finding experienced workers.

 

According to reports by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Associated General Contractors of America, last month’s employment gains followed a hiring dip in July. The construction industry has added 214,000 jobs since the start of the year, including 129,000 jobs in specialty trades.

 

The number of unemployed individuals whose last job was in construction fell to 448,000, the lowest August total since 2000.

 

“Construction firms have stayed busy, adding employees in the past year at nearly twice the rate of employers throughout the economy, but more than two-thirds of contractors report[ed] difficulty finding craft workers as the number of unemployed, experienced construction workers hit a 17-year low,” AGC’s Chief Economist Ken Simonson said in a press statement. “Although construction spending has fluctuated recently, many contractors are still looking for qualified craft workers and project managers.”

 

An industry-wide survey in August found that 70 percent of contractor firms had difficulty finding qualified craft workers. Forty-three percent of those surveyed expect hiring will continue to be difficult over the next 12 months.

 

“Half or more of the 1,608 respondents said they were having trouble finding carpenters, bricklayers, electricians, concrete workers or plumbers,” Simonson noted. “Some salaried positions — notably project managers and supervisors — are also hard to fill.”

 

Trade association officials have urged leaders at all levels of government to take steps that help recruit and prepare more young adults for high-paying construction careers, including increased funding for technical education programs.

 

“Exposing students to construction as a career path will encourage more of them to pursue these high-paying careers,” AGC’s Chief Executive Officer Stephen Sandherr said.

 

New to the industry? A Florida contractor licensing company can help individuals and companies navigate the state’s licensing requirements, with approvals as quick as 10 days. For more information on Florida contractor requirements or to get an application started, visit  our Florida contractor licensing website or call 239-777-1028.

 

What Does A General Contractor Do?

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Do you know what a general contractor does exactly? What the position entails? There’s so many different types of contractors today that it can be hard to remember who does what. If you’re looking to hire a general contractor for work, you want to make sure he or she has the right skills you need for the job.

In the state of Florida, a general contractor is recognized as a “a contractor whose services are unlimited as to the type of work which he or she may do, who may contract for any activity requiring licensure under this part, and who may perform any work requiring licensure under this part, except as otherwise expressly provided in s. 489.113.”

In order to become a licensed general contractor, a person must show 48 months on jobs with at least 12 months as a foreman or a combination of college and experience totaling at least 48 months with at least 12 of those months as a foreman. This person must also show at least 1 year or more of experience with habitable structures bigger than 4 stories. He or she must also have responsibility in at least four of the following areas in construction: Foundation/slabs greater than 20,000 sq. ft, Masonry walls, Steel erection, Elevated slabs, Precast concrete structures, Column erection, and Formwork for structural reinforced concrete.

If you’re a homeowner and need work done in or outside your home, most likely, you’ll need to call up a general contractor. Looking to build a home theater? Game room? Home office? Hobby room? Outdoor deck? Raised ceilings? Want a second floor? Outdoor kitchen? A total remodeling? A general contractor and his team of subcontractor can plan and execute this project.

A general contractor can help a person or family renovate and improve the look of their home without them having to buy a new home to fulfill their new needs or desires.

If you or someone you know is looking to become a licensed general contractor, we can help. We are a Florida contractor licensing company who has helped thousands of contractors get their license. To learn more about this process, click our Florida general contractor page. We make the process fast and simple. To start working with us today, click our Florida contractor page or call 239-777-1028.

Hone your pitch: Bidding tips for contractors

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You just had a great meeting with a client about a home improvement job, and now you’ve been asked to provide an estimate for the project. You know they’re pricing the work with other contractors, so it’s important to put your bid in writing for the homeowner to review.

 

When it comes to writing a bid, it’s important to be clear and communicate effectively so that your proposal is taken seriously. Consider it your business pitch.

 

Here a few tips for creating a winning proposal:

 

—Presentation counts. In most cases, the format of the bid is up to you, but presentation is important. Use a professional letterhead on white-colored, business-grade paper.

 

On the first page, be sure to include your name (or your company’s name), the client’s name, the address of the project site, and the bid date. Write a short executive summary that provides an overview of the project, as well as your professional qualifications (including any licenses you hold) and/or relevant work experience.

 

Think about how you want to present the bid; offering it in person is always more effective than mailing or emailing it.

 

–Be detailed about the scope of the work. Provide the client with a detailed description of the work you will perform. The estimate, or quote, shouldn’t be buried; it should be easy to find.

 

Be sure to include the number of hours that the project will take, the date that the project will be substantially completed by, and what the final product will look like. A project timeline should include any inspection work that’s required.

 

Project changes are inevitable, so be sure to spell out any uncertainties that could cause potential delays, especially if you’re working on multiple projects at the same time. (For more on how to address project changes, check out Joshua Glazov’s Construction Law Today blog.)

 

Will subcontractors be used? That needs to be spelled out, too.

 

–Be clear about costs and how you’d like to be paid. Your bid should show the client how much materials will cost, and what your hourly wage is. When determining the cost of materials, be sure to factor-in time spent purchasing and transporting them.

 

Be clear about payment terms, including any initial deposits, partial payments, and final payment. Note how long the estimate is good for, as materials prices change over time.

 

—Avoid mistakes. Don’t undercut your work by under-bidding; an unrealistic bid could lead to cost overruns, delays, and complaints.

 

It’s important to be tactful: Don’t ask to see any competing bids; it might make the client doubt that you’re giving them the best price possible.

 

And while it’s important to feel confident you’ll be paid once the job is complete, avoid asking for personal information that’s TOO personal, such as an individual’s credit score, employment status, the bank they use, etc.

 

—Be timely. By offering a bid within 2-3 business days, you’re letting the client know you’re serious about the job. Not getting back to the client within 5-7 business days will likely hurt your chances.

 

Once the bid is approved, it’s time to draft a contract. An example of a residential contract can be found here.

 

Before you submit your bid, make sure you have all the right government-issued licenses to perform the job. A Florida contractor licensing company can help individuals and companies navigate the state’s licensing requirements, with approvals as quick as 10 days. For more information on Florida contractor requirements or to get an application started, visit our Florida contractor licensing page. or call 239-777-1028.

New home starts, sales data signals good news for Florida contractors

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New housing starts and home sales are considered to be indicators of economic strength. So the latest data should signal good news for Florida contractors and workers in the construction trades.

 

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently released statistics that show an uptick in new residential construction activity during the month of June 2017.

 

Nationwide, the number of privately owned, new home construction starts was 1.21 million — up 2.1 percent over the June 2016 level. The number of privately owned housing completions for the month was 1.20 million – up 8.1 percent year-to-year.

 

The news followed a June report by Reuters that noted U.S. homebuilding had fallen for the third-straight month in May. However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the construction industry gained 16,000 new jobs in June and 6,000 new jobs in July, with the residential sector fueling growth.

 

Locally, FloridaRealtors reported positive movement in the sale of single-family homes, townhouses/condos and manufactured homes in June, noting that new homes listed in the Sunshine State are selling quickly.

 

Compared to the same month last year, the number of single-family home sales rose 4.3 percent, while townhouses/condo sales increased by 4.9 percent and manufactured homes sales jumped 9.1 percent.

 

Sales prices in June were also higher: The average price of a single-family home was $328,921 (up 7.3 percent); for townhouses/condos, the average price was $255,717 (up 5.9 percent), while the average price for a manufactured home was $87,288 (up 14.8 percent).

 

The data, so far, are in line with what analysts predicted the housing market would look like in 2017. Sales prices are expected to continue to rise with increased demand from homebuyers, with younger individuals born after 1980 increasingly looking to own a home rather than rent. Some experts suggest that there may also be a growing premium on high-end homes because they’re more profitable to build.

 

Housing and real estate data for July 2017 will be released later this month.

 

A Florida contractor licensing company can help individuals and companies navigate the state’s licensing requirements, with approvals as quick as 10 days. For more information on Florida contractor requirements or to get an application started, visit our Florida contractor’s license site or call 239-777-1028.

 

 

Contractor Products to Add To Your Wishlist Part 2

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A contractor needs to be in with the new. Whether it’s the latest trend or technique, he or she has to be well versed in the present and future of contracting. If there is a better and more efficient way to do something, you’ve got to know it! Otherwise, you and your business will fall behind and other contractors will be picked over you for certain jobs. Although certain practices, products and regulations will never go out of style, there are plenty of ways to enhance the field of contracting. With more education and technology in the world, the more advance our work, our techniques, our safety, our products, and our environments can be.

As a Florida contractor licensing company, we take pride in sharing new information with our clients and the contractor community. For this article, we wanted to share a few new products on the market that can benefit a variety of different specialties within the field on contracting. We have shared new products with you before, but there are so many released every year! We want you to know about as many as possible.

Here are a few new tools that you may be interested in investing, especially if you are in the plumbing field of contracting.

Milwaukee: M12 Drain Snake Kit – For plumbing contractors, this tool will help you with tough jobs. It works on jobs through 2-1/2” drain lines. This device weighs 10 pounds, and is the lightest drainage cleaner tool out there. It is powered by a Redlithium battery pack.

Rothenberger Robend 4000 Bending Tool – This tool is powered to bend pipes up to 1 3/8 inches. There is little friction with this tool. When the bent angle is complete, the machine shuts off. It’s strong enough to bend stainless steel.

Ridgid MR-10 Magnetic Locator – This device can find buried iron and steel objects, and it can do it fast. It’s far superior to a regular metal detector, and it gives the user a more accurate reading. It looks specifically for iron and not aluminum or copper.  It can help contractors find septic tanks, drainage grates, studs, pipes, valve boxes, and more. It can find objects up to 10 feet deep in the ground.

A few other new products:  DeWalt Press Tool DCE200, Milwaukee The Cheater™, DeWalt Threaded Rod Cutter DCS350.

It’s always important to be in the know about the latest and greatest gadgets. Some of these tools can truly benefit you.

Are you looking to become a contractor? Or work for one? You’ll need a contractor’s license. In the state of Florida, you cannot work legally without a license. If you need help getting your Florida contractor’s license, we can help! We are a Florida contractor licensing company who helps people get their contractor license fast. We specialize in making the process easy and stress free. To get started on your application, click our Florida contactor’s license page to learn more or call us at 239-777-1028.

 

Contractor Products to Put on Your Wish List

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As a contractor, you have to stay on top of things in your field. Whether there’s a new regulation or way to do something, you should know it and implement it. The world is moving at a fast pace these days; people want the newest and best of everything. So whether you’re working on a home, an office building, or even a bridge, you want to be equipped with the latest and best information, products, and methods. One way to stay on top of things in the contracting world is to be aware (and invest in) the best products in the field. Quality tools and equipment will make your job easier in more ways than one.

As a Florida contractor licensing company, we wanted to share with you a few of the latest products out in the field for you to purchase on your own or for your place of employment.

Winbag – If you’re a residential or commercial contractor, you probably do your share of installing a lot of windows. This is no easy task. Measurements needs to be price. Windows are heavy. Well, winbag can help. It is an inflatable shim that fills gaps from 3/32 inches to 2 inches. It can make windows level, and it even works on doors and cabinets. It is a fiber-reinforced material made with rubber. With this device, you no longer have to use wooden shims or plastic wedges. It can lift up to 300 pounds.  You can purchase this device on Amazon.

SnapPower Charger – This USB charger provides a 1-AMP USB port to any wall outlet. It installs easily over any wall outlet.

Paint Shield – Paint Shield is a microbicidal pain from Sherwin-Williams that kills 99.9% of deadly organisms. It can kill staph, MRSA, and E.coli within two hours of exposure on a painted surface. This paint is great for schools, hospitals, public facilities, and even a home. It’s available in more than 550 colors.

These three products are just a few of the great new, innovative ideas that are being produced to help contractors’ jobs easier and more efficient. You can work better, or offer better quality products to your clients.

Come back to our blog often to read about even more cool and new products.

If you’re looking to get your Florida contractor’s license, we can help! We have helped thousands of contractors get their license. We do all the heavy lifting for you; we know what is needed to get your application completed and accepted. To start with us today, click here or call 239-777-1028.

 

Help for Running a Contractor Business

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Running a business is hard. It doesn’t matter how many years you’ve put in into the industry, running a business is a lot of work. There’s a lot to do, remember, take care of, etc. etc.  It can be hard to run the day-to-day parts of the business when you need to get a lot of other work done, including working on projects and managing other contractors – that’s where we come in. We are a Florida contractor licensing company who helps people get their Florida contractor’s licenses, as well as help them start a business and continue to run their business.

For this article, we wanted to share with you how we can help you run a business.

We can help you:

  • Keep track of deadlines for your license and business
  • Keep you from paying reinstatement and late fees
  • Give you a comprehensive list of requirements (that your state and county) requires for your business and licenses, even if you have several.
  • Remind you when to file your annual report.
  • Remind you when your continuing education (CEUs) need to be completed.
  • Help you with corporate amendments, foreign qualification, corporate name change, s-corp election, DBA, and registered agent services.

 

Once we have made of list and done all these things, we can offer you a maintenance service to take care of things for you out the year. Some things we can help you with while other things you need to do on your own, but we will make you aware of that. We will take care of everything on time so you won’t be paying late fees. When you work with us, you’ll never have to worry about missing anything.

 

Our services offer you convenience. We will take a lot of work and stress of your plate. If this sounds good to you, let us help you run your business like a well-oiled machine. Contact our contractor licensing team by clicking here or calling 239-777-1028 for a personalized quote! We have helped thousands of contractors get their licenses and businesses. We make the process easy and stress free.

 

Have the 2017 Construction Trends Come True Yet?

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Early in 2017, there were many trends and outlooks predicted for the construction industry. With only a few months left in the year, how do you think the outlook measures up to what is occurring? As a Florida contractor licensing company, we wanted to share with you some of these outlooks and trends that were noted to occur in 2017. Take note if you’ve seen any of these in action or developing, or not. Some of these trends may even crossover into 2018.  According to constructiondive.com, they identified the following as trends and outlooks for 2017:

Economists predicted there to be a 5 percent growth in construction.

  • Collaborative team projects will become more commonplace.
  • There will still be a labor shortage. The number of workers in the industry dropped significantly since 2006 and it has yet to turn around.
  • It is unknown what will happen with regulations, taxes, labor policy, and more under the new Trump administration.
  • Offsite/modular/prefab construction will continue to grow.
  • Increase in infrastructure spending.
  • The cost of doing business in the construction world will rise because of material and labor costs.
  • More companies will use virtua reality technology to help detect errors early on in the project.
  • Sustainable and green building methods will continue to grow.

How do these trends and predictions stack up? Have you experienced any of this at your job?

Do you want to enter the construction industry? The field is continuing to grow each year. If you want to get your Florida contractor’s license, we can help you! We know exactly what is needed to complete and apply successfully. We will get you licensed fast, and you won’t have to stress about a thing. We will work with you every step of the way. We also help clients get contractor’s licenses from different states. To get started on your Florida contractor’s license today, click here or call us as 239-777-1028.

General Contractors vs. Subcontractors

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General contractors have a Division 1 License, which can consist of a General, Building or Residential contractor’s license.  These types of contractors are generally a single person or a company, they do business by obtaining contracts and carrying them out. They are responsible for hiring sub-contractors within specific fields to get the jobs completed. They are also responsible for providing all material, labor, permits and equipment to complete the contract. Contractors are in charge of recruiting an inspector because every project has to pass inspection in order to be complete.

 

Sub-contractors work for General Contractors and are required to obtain a Division 2 License in their desired field, such as plumbing, HVAC, Electrical and other contractor specialties.  They are hired by general contractors to assist them in completing the contract given. Subcontractors are hired on a skill set basis and are hired to perform specific tasks as a part of the overall project. The same Subcontractors usually work together from project to project to keep work following and projects organized.

 

General Contractors and subcontractors work very hard together to complete a construction project. The contractor acts as the manager of the project, serving as the central point of communication and organization. The subcontractors are to complete the project within time given. Most projects are on a very tight and demanding schedule and deadline. The Contractors work together with the subcontractors to make sure the deadlines are met and work is completed and up to code. When closer to the deadline, the General Contractor will have an inspector come in and conduct a very thorough inspection. The Contractor will be given a checklist of things that are still needed to be completed, now all the contractors will work together to complete the checklist before the final inspection.

 

Are you looking to become a Florida contractor? Let us help you with the process! We are a Florida contractor licensing company who helps people get their Florida contractor’s license. Whether you like electrical work or plumbing, we can help you through the process; we do all the heavy work for you! To get started, click here or call 239-777-1028.