Tag: contractors license

Does Your Contracting Service Require Florida Licensing?

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When it comes to providing a range of different contractual services in Florida, you may or may not need licensing and even certain permits in order to proceed with the project and be good with the laws of the state. Failing to obtain the proper permits or licenses can result in hefty fines, penalties, and even worse if you are a repeat offender. This is why it is really important to know whether or not you need licensing for a project you have been contracted to undertake.

The basic rule of thumb is that, for most construction related services, your company and perhaps everyone who works in said company, will need to be licensed by the state in order to operate lawfully. This licensing is not required for, say, a group of friends getting together to help a buddy with a weekend project. These licensing requirements are intended for people who receive financial compensation for their work.

Pretty much any sort of major undertaking, particularly if it can affect the structural integrity of the building you are working on, is going to require each person on the project have the appropriate state licensing. However, even if you are getting compensation, there are some projects that do not require state licensing.

Things that are superficial or aesthetic, such installing non-fixed awnings, cleaning of pools and spas, installation or maintenance of irrigation systems, can all be performed for compensation without a license. Driveways and sidewalks, water filtration systems, and even replacement of drywall (so long as it does not effect a load bearing wall) can also be undertaken without a license.

Regardless of what type of project you plan on undertaking, it is recommended to check to ensure that you have the right licensing and permits for any project you are going to be compensated for. Almost all major projects, including anything electrical, structural, or dealing with lead bearing walls or frames, is going to require all who are on the contracted team to be licensed by the state.

 

However, there are smaller, more superficial projects that are routine parts of most contracting jobs that can be performed by an unlicensed worker without any issue. You can find a comprehensive list of what actions require licensing and which do not on the Florida state website, but it is still advised to double check, especially if the project you have been tasked with isn’t on the list.

 

If you’re looking to get a Florida contractor’s license, we can help. We are a Florida contracting licensing company. For more information, click here or call 239-777-1028.

Contractor Warranty Information

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We are a Florida Contractor Licensing company, and although our main focus is helping people get their Florida contractor’s license, we also share information with our clients and the contracting company. The information we share is crucial for people to know to succeed in a career in contracting. For this post, we wanted to share information on warrant claim.

Florida’s Condonminimu Act says that contractors and suppliers must provide a warrant of fitness and merchantability as work and materials provided for condominium developments. The law/act requires the right words be used to describe a claim in order for the claim to be enforced.

Here is an example: An association’s boat storage building had work done on a roof that failed. The association called the roofer, who came out to repair the roof, but he realized the problem wasn’t with the work he did, but the actual materials. At this point, the association made a call to the manufacturer of the materials, but the company would not take responsibility for the leaks that were occurring in the roof. The association decided to file a suit against the manufacturer based on the product’s warranty. The association said they were entitled for the roof to be repaired based on the guaranty given to the roofer by the manufacturer. This did not hold up in court. The court needed to say that the manufacture “furnished, sold and/or delivered materials to the project.” If they used the correct wording, the association would have been able to go after the manufacturer.

As you can see from this example, wording is important.

If you have any questions about this topic, we can help. We help our contractor clients with all sorts of questions in the industry.  If you’re looking to get a Florida contractor’s license, we offer a fast and easy contractor license application process. Contact us about getting your Florida contractor’s license today.

 

 

Self-Reporting Crime as a Contractor

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Did you know as a contractor yourself supposed to self-report any crime you did? Whether or not you knew this information, we want to make you aware of the rules when it comes to self -reporting so you will not get in trouble more than you have to.

As of now, if you are a contractor, you a required to report any crime you have been found guilty of or pled no contest to within 30 days. Any charge falls under this ruling, even if it has nothing to do with your job. It is regardless of adjudication.

If the Licensing Board finds that you, the licensed contractor, were charged during a time that you had a license, and you didn’t report it, the Board can do any number of things from mild penalties to more severe ones.

The Board can: issue a formal reprimand, restrict your practice, suspend or permanently revoke your license, fine you up to $5,000 per offense, place you on probation with the possibility of requiring you do to more exams, schooling hours and treatment (drugs, anger) if it correlates to your offense and charged crime.

If you self-report, you can avoid a Board review when submitting applications for your current license, including transferring your license to another company, changing to active status or qualifying an additional entity.

When you submit any application, a background check is done, and if the Board finds a crime you committed during the time you held your license and didn’t report it, it is most likely you will be called in before the board. It’s in your best interest to report.

If you have any questions about self-reporting or getting your Florida contractor’s license, let us help you. We are an experienced Florida contractor licensing company who has helped thousands of people get their license. For more information or to start today, view our Florida Contractor’s License page.

Intent with Wording for a Contractor

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Contractors, especially those running their own business, have to know a lot more than the basics of the trade. For this post, we wanted to discuss letters of intent. In the contracting world, contracts and deals happen all the time. Letters of intent are enforceable when they are properly written, but they must include essential terms of the agreement at hand including the price, payout, scope of work, duration of project, and a commitment to sign a contract for the work by a certain date. If this letter of intent says it’s not binding until a formal contract is signed, then in a court of law they will say no terms were agreed upon yet.

Think of a letter of intent as a halfway point between a verbal agreement and a formal contract. There is always the chance that letters of intent are unenforceable. If you’re worried about any issues arising, you’re better off skipping this step and creating a formal agreement right off the bat. With a formal contract, looked over by lawyers, there is no question about what is being promised and delivered for a deal or project. All the details are laid out and this contract binds both parties to the agreement.

When you’re a contractor, you also have to think about legal information, along with other rules, regulations and daily duties. If you have any concerns about legal issues or rules in the contracting industry, please feel free to reach out to us. We are a Florida contractor licensing company and we stay on top of all the latest news and rules that you need to know to practice legally.

Looking to become a Florida contractor? We can help get you licensed. We’ve helped thousands get their Florida Contractor’s license and we help them do it fast and efficiently. 95 percent our applicant’s license package makes it through on the first try. Let us help you get your career started. To learn more, get help on other contractor issues, or get your license, click our Florida Contractor’s License page.

How to Obtain a Registered Contractor License in Florida

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Whether you have been a Florida resident for years, or you just recently moved to the state and are looking to start a trade business or transfer your current certification to Florida, obtaining a Florida contractor license can be daunting when you aren’t sure of the proper steps to take towards receiving licensure.

 

Florida, unlike some other states, has a set of guidelines for both Certified Contractors and Registered Contractors. The guidelines and requirements for a certified contractor and a registered contractor are a little bit different from each other.

 

When it comes to becoming a Florida Registered Contractor, as previously stated, there are a few requirements that the state has before you are handed a license. Registered Contractors are required to meet local requirements for different counties and municipalities, along with obtaining a Local Competency Card and Occupational License. The competency card must be registered with Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

 

Most importantly, a Registered Contractor may only work in the county to which they have received their competency card. Certified Contractors can take work anywhere in the state.

 

  1. To be considered for a Registered Contractor license, you must have: Workers’ Compensation (or exempt forms), Liability, and Property Damage Insurance.
  2. You must also provide a credit report, proof of satisfaction of liens and any judgments, along with the ability to prove your financial stability, and proper net worth requirements set under Rule 61G4-15.005, FAC.

 

Obtaining a Registered Contractor License is a little easier than going through the Certified contractor process, as it has a few less requirements. Although, both types of licenses require many of the same steps.

 

Looking to get your Florida contractor’s license? We can help. We are a Florida contractor licensing company. We also help people get their Georgia contractor’s license, as well as other states.To get started on the contractor license process, click here or call 239-777-1028.

Certified Contractor License vs Registered Contractor License

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Which Option is Best For You and Your Business

 

If you are considering opening up your own Florida contracting business, it might be a bit hard to figure out which contractor license is best for you.

 

No matter what your trade is, whether you’re a carpenter, HVAC, electrician, etc., it is very important for you and your business to make the right choice when it comes to licensure.

 

It goes without saying that it is important that you have real and legitimate experience in your chosen field in which you are seeking licensure. And in the case of a Certified Contractor License, you must have legitimate proof that you have experience in the field to which you lay ownership.

Certified Contractor License

With a Certified Contractor License, you will have the ability to take work anywhere in the state of Florida without having to be registered at any specific municipality or county in which the work is to be performed.

 

The requirements are a bit more difficult, such as: you must have at least four years of experience in the field, and this experience needs to be proven and verified with the contractor you worked for. Also, at least one of the four years, you must have had a supervisor role.

 

You must also successfully complete the Florida Certified Contractor Examination. Both of these requirements are unique to the Florida Certified Contractor License.

Registered Contractor License

In contrast with the Certified Contractor License, a Registered Contractor License will only permit you to take and perform work in the county to which your Competency Card is registered.

 

You still have to obtain insurance and provide a credit report for both licenses.

Which License is Better?

It all comes down to your end goal. If you just want and have a small business, you will do fine with just a Registered Contractor License. You don’t have to jump through so many hoops to get this licensure, though you will have only a small area to seek out and perform work.

 

If you want a big booming conglomerate business, a Certified Contractor License is the better choice. This will help you spread your business across the entire state of Florida, and take work anywhere in the whole state.

 

All in all, what contractor license you decided to get is entirely your preference, and how much work you want to have available to you at any given time. Both options are great for different people and purposes.

 

If you are looking to get your Florida contractor’s license, certified or registered, and are looking to get into this industry, contact us today and let us help you. We are a Florida contractor licensing company. Click here or call 239-777-1028 to contact us.

How to Get a Florida Contractor’s License

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It goes without saying that getting a contractor license in Florida can be a headache.

This is good and bad for a few reasons but most importantly, it is good because it guarantees Florida citizens that the work they will receive will be top notch. On the other hand, contractors have to go through a strict, semi-complicated, and long process to achieve appropriate licensure within the state.

 

Florida has quite a few guidelines that aren’t followed in other states, but this just shows how important it is to take the proper necessary steps, and make the paperwork and effort you put in all the more perfect so you don’t waste your valuable time when you could be out getting work!

 

A Certified Contractor in Florida has the ability to contract work anywhere in the entire state of Florida. This is the better option for trade workers, as compared to Registered Contractors.

 

The guidelines and requirements for each license are a bit different, but here we will focus mainly on the requirements and guidelines to obtain a Certified Contractor License in the state of Florida.

 

  1. The person seeking a contractor license must have at least four years of experience in the field that they are seeking certification. At least one of the four years must be in a supervisor role. The four years of experience must be verified by a pre-existing Florida Certified Contractor, or a licensed engineer, building official, or architect.
  2. Applicants must successful complete the Florida Certified Contractor’s Examination.
  3. Candidates must have Worker’s Compensation (or exempt forms), Liability, and Property Damage Insurance.
  4. Applicants must also provide proof of satisfaction of liens and judgments, proper showing financial stability, a credit report, and a net worth requirement under Rule 61G4-15.005, FAC.

 

It sounds like a lot of work, but if you have the right people on your side helping you with the paperwork, it is a breeze to receive your Certified Contractor License in Florida. This contractor license will allow you to take work anywhere in the state, which will help you build your business, and open new doors for work opportunities.

 

If you need helping getting your Florida contractor’s license, let us help you. We have helped thousands of people in Florida get licensed. We are a Florida-based contracting company, but we also help people get licensed in other states, as well. Click here or call 239-777-1028 to get the process started today.

 

Mobile Apps for Contractors Part 3

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Contractors use mobile apps these days more than you think. Mobile apps are great for contractors and their companies because people are able to communicate offline and in the field. From time tracking to project sharing, these mobile apps are making contractors communicate with their team and clients easier.

We wanted to share with you some of the newest and best mobile apps out there that you’ll want to download. There’s an app for almost every aspect of the business these days!

Photo Measures – This app allows contractors to take photos and write dimensions directly onto the photo; people can export these photos or save them to a library.

TRUCKAST – This app allows contractors to set up ready-mix concreate order from a mobile device; it allows you o track delivery times, as well as real-time info about a pour job.

PENTA Mobile Field Inspections – This app is good for field inspectors so they don’t need to use paper.

Fall Safety – For those contractors who work at taller heights, this app provide fall detection and can detect falls. If the app thinks there is a fall, it will sound an alarm for 30 seconds then alert your emergency contacts through email, text, and voicemail.

Corecon Mobile – This lets contractors share punch lists, project dynamics, administration, and daily logs.

iHandy Carpenter – This app helps carpenters by acting as a tool for such things as measuring and leveling.

iSafe Inspections – This app helps construction teams save money while managing their safety programs; contractors can automate the type of inspection (safety audits, work orders, property assessments, asset management, service management, and custom forms.

PlanGrid – This app allows contractors and architects to collaborate on project plans, specs and photos.

Looking for a job in contracting and need to get your Florida contractor’s license? Let us help you. We are a contractor licensing company in Southwest Florida. To get your Florida contractor’s license process started, click here of call 239-777-1028.

Mobile Apps for Contractors Part 2

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Mobile apps make people’s lives easier, even in the workplace. Information is faster to retrieve and communication happens faster. Mobile apps aren’t just for games anymore. Employeers can use these apps to track time, share projects, research information and more. As a contractor, you can use many mobile apps out there whether you’re in the field or in an office. And, many of these apps work offline, so you’re able to record or access information even in a remote, offline area.

Mobile apps are becoming increasingly popular in the contracting community. Here is a few quick statistics: 48 percent of construction companies use mobile technology to get customer and job info, and 47 percent of construction companies use mobile apps for drawings, schedules, photos, and documents.

Below, we wanted to share with you some of the newest mobile apps out there for you to use in your daily life on the job.

BlueVue Plans – This app gives contractors quick and easy access to construction plans and revisions.

FTQ360 – This app helps contractors focus on tracking and improving quality, safety and subcontractor performance. There are more than 150 quality control checklists.

Estimate Rocket – This app helps contractors with estimating, invoicing, scheduling, project tracking and CRM; contractors can create and send digital estimates and invoices from the field.

Autodesk BIM 360 – This app helps an employer keep employees up-to-date with documents, plans, and models. This is a document management software.

Safety Meeting – This app covers 34 different trades and meets OSHA’s required meeting laws; it stores records electronically.

Fast Concrete Pad Calculator – This app calculates quantities of concrete and rebar required for a concrete-pad project. It also calculates cost, waste, and allows people to email estimates.

Looking to get your Florida contractor’s license? You want to make sure you’re licensed, so you don’t get in trouble for practicing illegally. If you’re looking to get a contractor license, let our team help you. We are a contractor licensing team in Southwest Florida. To get the process started, click here or call 239-777-1028.

Mobile Apps for Contractors

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Mobile apps are here to stay. Whether for work or pleasure, people are using mobile apps for everything and anything in their daily lives. All industries these days have their own mobile apps to make life easier for workers. Technology can help people get their jobs done, including professionals in the contracting industry. Contractors are using mobile apps both in the field and in the office. 48 percent of construction companies use mobile technology to get customer and job info; 47 percent of construction companies use mobile apps for drawings, schedules, photos, and documents; 38 percent of construction companies use mobile apps for daily reports; 36 percent of construction companies use mobile apps for cost and project reports; and 30 percent of construction companies use mobile apps to keep time. (These statistics came from Sage Software).

Here are some great contractor apps you should check out:

Timesheet Mobile – This app is free and employees can track their time spent at job sites, with customers, along with writing notes and mileage down. This app also alerts workers to clock in and out.

SmartBidNet – This app allows a person to create and track the bid process and it also allows people to build custom prequalification forms to ID the qualifications and risk level for subcontractors before invited on a bid.

JobFLEX – This app can be used connected to the internet or offline. This app allows contractors to create estimate quick and easy. This app can create estimate for up to 50 customers in one account.

ClockShark – This app allows employeers to track the time and GPS location of employees; no more paperwork needed.

Harmon.ie – This app gives contractors access to documents, emails, and the ability to collaborate; this works off and online.

 

These apps are pretty awesome, but there’s no point in using them if you’re not properly licensed. Looking to get your Florida contractor’s license? We can help you. We are a contractor licensing company in Florida. We make the process easy and simple. Click here or call us at 239-777-1028 to start the process today.