Florida Contractor Forum

Construction companies are evolving and improving each year. One way to take your construction company to the next level is with a construction management tool. With this tool, you can speed up and even eliminate redundant processes. Although this took is very beneficial, you will likely receive pushback from employees who are hesitant to learn something new and change their process.

We wanted to share some tips when introducing a new construction management tool with your team that will make them actually want to adopt the new ways of working. Convincing your employees may not be easy and there will likely be resistance.

• Choose the right tool for your company. Pick one that meets your company’s needs. This tool should do more than your old tools while lowering costs. Identify how this new tool can fit into current processes.
• Use managers and key employees as change ambassadors. Top workers, senior leadership, management, and other influencers in the business should be the first to learn and use the tool. These are the people who should promote and train the rest of the team on the benefits of the new tool and how to use it.
• Create an introduction and training plan of the new tool – this eases the transition. Be clear and open. Answer all questions and make sure everyone understands what’s going on.
• Be open to feedback. Give employees the opportunity to provide all kinds of feedback. If there are a lot of shortcomings with the tool, you may need to switch to another tool or find work arounds.

Even if your employees may not see it at first, a new tool can be very good for your business. In time, everyone will be on board.

Looking to be part of the contractor world? We can help you.

We are a Florida contractor licensing company, and we can help you get your contractor’s license. We help contractors across the United States get their contractor license. We help you succeed from the start.

We submit a completed contractor’s license application to the Construction Licensing Board on your behalf after getting information from you by phone or email.

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

What is a punch list? A punch list is a list of items which define the work that doesn’t comply with the contract requirements after a good part of a project is completed.

For this article, we wanted to share some questions you should have on your punch list:

• Are the holes for lighting and ventilation being made properly in the ceiling?
• Can you notice any drywall tape joints in the ceiling?
• Are there any cracks in the ceiling?
• Is the sealing of skylights completed on the ceiling?
• Is the attic easily accessible?
• Has the attic been insulated correctly?
• Are smoke detectors properly installed?
• Are smoke detectors properly working?
• Can you spot any cracks on the door and/or windows?
• Is there any screw heads burst through the gypsum board?
• Are there any nail heads burst in wood framing?
• Is the painting completed?
• Are there any scratches, dents or buckling on the frames?
• Do the doors close and open smoothly?
• Are all exterior doors weatherstripped?
• Do door hinges miss any screws?
• Can you spot any gaps between the wall and the door frame?
• Are the doors undercut in order to allow air movement?
• Can you close and open the cabinet doors without any problems?
• Is the sink sealed properly to the countertop?
• Is the backsplash properly shuttered?
• Check if the floor grout is properly sealed.
• Has the wall base been attached correctly?
• Can you spot any cracks between the wall and the base? Between the flooring and the base?
• Check if the registers and diffusers are fully-functional.
• Do you notice any problems with the installation of the thermostat(s)?
• Are the furnace filters clean?
• Check if the dryer vent is fully functional.
• Are all cover plates installed?
• Do you notice any malfunction at the garage door?
• Check if the irrigation clock is working properly.

This is just a brief overview of questions to have when writing up a punch list. Punch lists are important.

Ready to be a contractor? We can help make this happen. We are a Florida contractor licensing company, and we can help you get your contractor’s license. We help contractors across the United States get their contractor license. We help you succeed from the start.

We complete and submit a contractor’s license application to the Construction Licensing Board on your behalf after getting information from you by phone or email.

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

To be a contractor in Florida, you need a contractor’s license, otherwise you are working illegally and could be fined or jailed. As a Florida contractor licensing company, we wanted to share guidelines and requirements entailed in applying for a contracting license in Florida.

First, you will have to take two brief exams that cover topics related to finance and the trade(s) you are looking to become licensed in. If you are an electrical contractor, you will need to undergo a slightly different process. You will not be required to take these tests, but rather, will have to undergo trade specific tests due to the complex and potentially dangerous nature of the work.
In order to qualify for the appropriate tests, you will need to be able to show proof of having at least four years of work experience in the construction or trade field. If you are looking to get a contracting license for a business, you will also need to provide proof of financial assets. Requirements for total assets may range from $2,500-$20,000, depending on the type of certification you are looking to obtain. You will also be required to carry and show proof of a current liability insurance plan.

For licensed contractors in the state of Florida, your license must be renewed every two years. Additionally, you will need to undergo at least 14 hours of continued education (what qualifies can be found on the state’s website) during that time period, as well. This is to help ensure that all contractors regularly get training in the newest regulations and techniques.

For those who are looking to become individual licensed contractors or who wish to start a contracting business in the state of Florida, it is important to be properly licensed to avoid fees and other penalties. In order to obtain a license, you will need to take a few basic tests, provide a proof of income, work experience, and apply during the appropriate time period. Your license will be valid for two years and you must complete at least 14 hours of continued education related to your field in order to qualify to be relicensed.

Are you looking to get your Florida contractor’s license? Let us help you! We are a Florida contractor licensing company.

We complete and submit a contractor’s license application to the Construction Licensing Board on your behalf after getting information from you by phone or email.

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

In Florida, for you to work as a State Certified Contractor, the Department of Business & Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) Construction Industry Licensing Board requires all applicants provide credit reports for themselves and the business entity they want to qualify.

Both credit reports must indicate that local, state, and federal records have been searched and personal credit reports must contain a FICO derived credit score.

Our Florida contractor licensing company is on the Florida DBPR’s List of approved Credit Reporting Agencies.

Our credit reports include:

• FICO Score
• Statement that Public Records have been searched at the Local, State and Federal Levels

Your personal credit report enables the State to decide on your financial responsibility enabling them to make sure that the contractor applying for the license is financially responsible.
The State has required that all companies must have a credit report on file. The fact that it is a new company does not negate the need to have a report run on that company.

To obtain your credit reports please follow these simple steps, visit our DBPR Approved Credit Reports page.  These reports cost $50 per report. Your reports will be completed within 48 hours.

We will email your credit reports to the email you provided. Please print them out and include with your application to the DBPR.

Contact us if you have questions. If you decide you would like assistance with your entire license application please let us know, we’d be happy to help. Click our Florida contractor license  page to learn more or call 239-777-1028 to get started on the process today.

We are a Florida contractor licensing company, and we can help you get your contractor’s license, renew your license, start a business, manage a business, get a credit report, and more. We help contractors across the United States get their contractor license.

There’s lots of types of contractors: electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers, etc.  But, what does a general contractor do?

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.”

To become a licensed general contractor in Florida, 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 new bathroom? A total remodeling? A new patio? A general contractor and his team of subcontractor can plan, design, 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. General contractors can also work on commercial and industrial construction projects (not just residential).

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 license page or call 239-777-1028.

As you know, you need to have a contractor’s license in Florida to work legally. But, did you know you have to renew your license? Do you know how to renew your license? As a Florida contractor licensing company, we want to help. You need to renew your contractor’s license every two years to remain in good legal standing. If all your information with the state is up to date, you should receive a renewal notice in the mail about a month before your license is set to expire.

When you receive your renewal notice, you are going to be prompted to double check all your information such as address, phone number, email address, etc. You need to make sure your information is correct, because failure to do so can lead to delays in getting your license renewed, so it is imperative that you look this information over and update anything necessary.

To renew your license, you will be asked to supply a few other pieces of information. You will need to show proof of continuing education and training. You may also be asked to provide current proof of insurance and perhaps a few smaller pieces of information. Be sure to look over your renewal documents carefully to ensure that you have included all required information. Certain counties may require slightly different types of documentation.

While it is a hassle, it is important to be ready and prepared when your two-year contracting license renewal information comes in the mail. Keep good records and of all the pertinent information, as this will make it a lot easier to get your renewal through and approved without any delay. The paperwork you receive about your renewal will tell you all the pieces of information you will need to provide to approve your renewal depending on where you live and work.

Let us help you renew (or get) your Florida contractor’s license. We are a Florida contractor licensing company. We can help make the contractor licensing process and renewal easy for you.

Click our Florida contractor license  page to learn more or call 239-777-1028 to get started on the process today.

From drones and 3D printing to virtual reality and to BIM, there are many technological advances occurring in the construction industry. But, there’s also materials that are advancing that can change the industry.

• Translucent wood. This can be used to develop windows and solar panels. It is low cost, readily available, and a renewable resource.
• Cooling systems in bricks. These bricks have a cooling effect on building interiors. It can absorb water 500 times its weight and it is released to reduce temperature on hot days.
• Cigarette butts to make bricks. These bricks utilize the cigarette butt waste so help eliminate arsenic, nickel, and cadmium entering soil and nature.
• Martian concrete. This concrete can be used to build structures on Mars with materials available on Mars. Sulphur is heated at 240 degrees Celsius which melts into a liquid.
• Light generating cement. It absorbs and irradiates light. This can be very energy efficient as the light acts like a light bulb. It can be used on walkways, road signs, pools, parking lots, and more.
• The cabkoma strand rod. It’s a thermoplastic carbon fiber composite. It is the lightest seismic reinforcement and aesthetically pleasing.
• Biologically produced furniture. The process of making these is low energy, pollution free and requires low technology. This material is made from Mycoform which is made by combining wood chips, gypsum, oat bran, and with the fungus Ganoderma lucidum.
• Floating piers made from polyethylene cubes.
• Pollution absorbing bricks. These bricks suck in pollution and release filtered air.
• Self healing concrete.

There’s a lot of great innovations that will soon be implemented into the construction industry. Don’t you want to be a part of this? Become a contractor today! We can help you get licensed!

We are a Florida contractor licensing company, and we can help you get your contractor’s license, renew your license, start a business, manage a business, get a credit report, and more. We help contractors across the United States get their contractor license. We complete and submit a license application for you after talking with you.

Click our Florida contractor license  page to learn more or call 239-777-1028 to get started on the process today.

Thought about becoming a contractor? There are many different specialties within this industry for you to choose depending on your interests and skills. Whether you enjoy working on buildings, AC units, swimming pools, with wires, pipes, or water tanks, contracting is a great way for you to work with your hands and solve problems daily.

As a Florida contractor licensing company, our job is to help people obtain their Florida contractor’s license. However, we also take pride in sharing important information and news with the contracting community.

For this article, we’ve shared different reasons to consider a career in this industry.

• There is always a need for contractors. Currently, there is a shortage of skilled workers, so you are needed! The numbers 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 when the economy is bad, the jobs of contractors are always needed in some way.
• You get to work with a lot of different people and develop communications skills, while learning hands-on specialized skills from them.
• It’s a lot cheaper to get training and schooling for contractor work than a bachelor’s degree.
• A contractor’s license gives you credibility and people will trust the work you do.
• With a contractor’s license, you’ll be able to land high-paying jobs at bigger companies.
• You get to work on a variety different projects, and the chance of getting bored is rare.
• You don’t necessarily need a college degree to work, but you do need experience and training.
• In many specialties, salaries are in a good range. For example, an electrical contractor can earn up to $85-90K per year.
• With the proper experience, you can move up in this industry and eventually even own and run your own contracting company.
• The industry is embracing new technologies like drones, 3D printing, and project management software.
• You get to work in different environments often.
• You get to use mental and physical skills.

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

Click our Florida contractor license  page to learn more or call 239-777-1028 to get started on the process today.

We are a Florida contractor licensing company, and we can help you get your contractor’s license, renew your license, start a business, manage a business, get a credit report, and more. We help contractors across the United States get their contractor license. We complete and submit a license application for you after talking with you.

Mobile technology is everywhere and continues to expand. More and more construction sites and contractors are adapting to using mobile technology for an array of different things from timecards to project management. Mobile technology can help contractors make projects more efficient and easier.

• Mobile technology can provide better record keeping on a project. Data collection can be done in real time. Cloud-based options means on-site staff can file timecards, reports, information requests, and work records, and anything else through a mobile phone or tablet.
• Information is instantly logged and filed. Paper can be eliminated so there is less change of errors, miscommunications, and documents being lost. Information can be immediately seen.
• The gap can be bridged between the field and the boardroom. The number of trips to a job site can be reduced and the office can see work or issues in real time.
• Mobile technology can boost productivity and safety. There are apps that monitor risk levels.

There are many ways to use mobile technology to make any construction job easier and more efficient. You need to figure out which digital solutions will work best for you and your team. You need to do research on what your workforce is currently using for technology and how they are using them. you want to invest in systems that can be adopted. If you get the right technology in place, you can positive impact your projects and save time and money.

Want to join an ever-changing and growing industry? We can help get you licensed as a contractor in any state. We are a Florida contractor licensing company. We have helped thousands of contractors across the United States get their contractor license.

We will complete and submit a completed application to the Construction Licensing Board on your behalf after getting information from you by phone or email. We know what the Board is looking for to get your approved.

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

Construction contracts include many documents such as contract drawings, specifications, prevailing conditions and the signed contractor. Unfortunately, these documents are long and people don’t go through them in detail. It is crucial for a contractor to look through the contract before it is signed to avoid future disputes, because once the contract is signed, you are bound to deliver the project within the contract period and under specific conditions. To avoid disputes, you should have a good ideas of important clauses within the contract.

Here are some of the important clauses in a construction contract you need to review before signing the contract.

• Scope of work. Read this carefully to make sure the scope is what you offered in your proposal.
• Contract amount. Make sure there are no mistakes in the sum. Track all the negotiations and bid amounts, so you will have an idea of the final agreed-upon sum. Make sure this sum is correct before signing. This amount should have the tax amount included.
• Project duration. Check for the projected completion date and start date. Also, check the expected site handing over date from the client.
• Payment terms. Analyze the payment terms. Know in how many days you are entitled to get the payment. You need to know these payment details, so you won’t run into cash flow problems.
• Variation clause. Variations can occur, so this clause is important to identify variations, instructions to variations, and the method of valuation of variations. If you don’t have this clause and an explanation, you can waste time and have to deal with many disputes.
• Liquidated damages. You should prepare on how to deliver your project on time without imposing liquidated damages. Check this figure and clause before signing.
• Dispute resolution. Challenges and disputes will likely occur on any project. This dispute clause can list dispute resolution methods other than seeking litigation.

Always check these clauses before signing any construction contract. Make sure you agree and understand everything within these clauses. Go through the entire contract thoroughly before signing. If you do not have time, ask someone in your staff or ask a consultant or legal professional to read it over.

Want to become a licensed contractor? We can help get you licensed as a contractor in any state. We are a Florida contractor licensing company. We have helped thousands of contractors across the United States get their contractor license.

We will submit a completed application to the Construction Licensing Board on your behalf after getting information from you by phone or email. We know what the Board is looking for to get your approved.

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