florida contractor help – Page 27 – Florida Contractor Forum

What Is A Mold Assessor

On: July 27, 2016June 21, 2016 By: admin

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.

All About Being A Home Inspector

On: July 20, 2016June 21, 2016 By: admin

home inspector

As a home inspector, you determine the condition of a building or home (or any structure). You help identify problems, if any, with said structures. You’ve received your license and plenty of training. But, what makes you stand out? What makes you an excellent home inspector? Why should a person hire you over anyone else? Below, we will share some tips and information about what people are looking for when thinking about hiring a home inspector. You don’t only want to be good, you want to be seen as great. Having a reputable reputation can go a long way, and help you get more clients in the end.

Like stated before, reputation is key. People will ask friends and family for recommendations for inspectors.
Your track record. People will read up on your experience, years in the business, and the numbers of inspections you’ve performed.
People tend to look for a person with a broad knowledge of a home’s systems and structure, not just someone who just specializes in one category.
People will check with the state to verify your license or to see if there have been any complaints about you put on record.
They will be looking for an inspector who carries insurance.
People want an inspector who will deliver a full and completed report with plenty of time to review it.
People look for objective inspectors with no connection to a realtor.
Price matters. People are willing to pay more for a better qualified inspector, since inspections are so crucial and important.
Many people would like to see a sample report.
People will read reviews about you online.
People do care about the time It takes you to do the inspection. Anything under two hours may seem suspicious to them, because that shows your work isn’t very thorough.
People want you to be very upfront with them. Let them know what you will be inspecting.
People will want to attend the inspection. Saying “No” is seen by many as a red flag.
Plan on being interviewed by the family, person, or business who is thinking about hiring you.

Haven’t gotten your home inspector license yet? Well, we can help with you that process. The process can be tricky with lots of things to gather and write up properly, but we have years of experience helping people get their home inspector’s license in Florida. To learn more or to get help getting your license, click here or call 239-777-1028.

Hidden Hazards on the Job

On: July 13, 2016June 21, 2016 By: admin

construction hazards

Some occupations out there are known to be a bit more dangerous than others – contractor jobs definitely are one of them. Much of the work contractors do is, in fact, inherently dangerous. Big machinery. Live electrical wires. Tall ladders. Sharp tools. Potential dangers are bound to be lurking on any job site, inside or outside. Below, we detail what to look out for on the job and keep a critical eye on to prevent injury.

It’s always important to be aware of your surroundings, especially when you know you’re entering a seemingly dangerous work site. Upon arrival, check the entire site out and get an idea of where everything is. That way, there will be no surprises.

Things that can be hazardous/Things You Should Check

Make sure the floor or ground is solid and sturdy before placing ladders or any heavy equipment on it.
Check for mold and asbestos. You don’t want to be breathing in these things while on the job every day. This can cause health problems down the road.
Check bushes and greenery for anything poisonous, sharp, or filled with dangerous insects that could hurt you (wasps).
Look around for sharp objects sticking out anywhere that can get in the way and be harmful.
Watch out for any exposed wiring.
Check to make sure fluorescent lamps are intact. Broken lamps can potentially release mercury.
Double check on any and all types of underground services that may be around (electrical, natural gas, water, septic, sewer, telephone, cable, and more). You don’t want to be striking into any of these lines and causing any environmental damage, property damage, or self harm.
Check for any unstable high objects that could potentially fall down on top of you.

These are just a few hazards, in general terms, that contractors (of all kinds) can face on a daily basis. It’s best to identify all hazards and eliminate them or make them safer situations to the best of your ability. Also, make sure you have a first-aid kit on site in case of an emergency. Not all accidents can be prevented.

If you’re looking to get into the contracting business and need to apply for a license, our team can help you get a Florida’s contractor license. We do all the work for you in a quick, easy process. Click here to learn more and get your license today!

All About Electrical Contracting

On: July 7, 2016June 21, 2016 By: admin

electrical contractor

So you’re interesting in becoming an electrical engineer? Great! How much have you read up on this profession? What is an electrical contractor? What do they actually do? Here, we will detail the profession to you, and you’ll be able to not only learn about the ins and outs of this career, but be able to decide if this is the right type of contracting work for you.

By definition, electrical contracting is a business that allows for power and light into buildings around the world; it’s a $130-billion-dollar industry (annually). Currently in the United States, there are more than 70,000 electrical contracting firms with more than 650,000 electrical workers.

According to the National Electrical Contractors Association, an electrical contractor is defined as a business person or firm that performs construction work related to the design, installation, and maintenance of electrical systems. Outside/Line electrical contractors work on high-voltage power transmission and distribution lines. For example, these contractors make sure electricity is working at a power plant. Inside electrical contractors help bring electricity to any structure within a certain property’s boundaries, which can also include outdoor lighting or substations. These type of contractors work on commercial, institutional, and residential buildings. Integrated building systems(IBS)/Voice Data Video (VDV) electrical contractors work on low-voltage installations like climate controls, wireless networks, fiber optics, and security systems.

If that is an electrical contractor, what is an electrician? An electrician is a person who is trained in electrical work and can be employed by an electrical contractor, or be self-employed as an electrical contractor themselves. Most states have different license requirements for a contractor versus an electrician. An electrical contractor also holds required insurances and can employ electric workers. Electricians usually can’t work for the public unless working under a contractor.

Looking to become an electrical contractor? We can help you through the process! We’ve helped many people get their Florida contractors license fast and easy. To contact us, visit here or call 239-777-1028.

Preparing for the Contractors Exam

On: June 22, 2016May 25, 2016 By: admin

contractors exam Just like many other professions, contractors have to prepare and take a contractor’s license exam. In Florida, a contractor must pass this exam in order to be a licensed general contractor. In Florida, a certified contractor is a contractor who has a certificate of competency issued by the.

In Florida, a licensed certified contractor applicant has to have a passing score on all the parts of the Florida DBPR/BET qualifying examination, be at least 18 years old, meet educational and experience requirements, pay all applicable fees, obtain work’s compensation coverage, demonstrate financial responsibility, and have good moral character. Test takers need to review the license categories before registering for an examination. People must take the proper tests to make them eligible for their license. Most exams are open book. In Florida, the test is around $215, which includes all fees.

There are a few ways a person can prepare for the exam, which can depend on a person’s learning style and what’s available around him. Many people like to study on their own. For these individuals, books and reference materials suggested by the state are great resources for studying. The PSI Online Bookstore and iContractor.net are third-party booksellers of contracting-based books. There are also several organizations online that offer web-based practice exams and courses for people to take. Organizations like Dewalt and PSI Learning Academy offer practice exams. Some home-study based courses in Florida include Cam Tech School and Gold Coast Schools.

For those who need a classroom setting, there are schools across the country that offer courses and tutoring for specific exams and education courses. Some schools and bookstores in Florida include: AES, 4EzExam.com, Sane Fe College, Gulf Coast School of Construction, KCC Estimating & Construction Services, Inc., Florida International University, Contractor’s Library in Hudson, and more.

There are many ways a person can prepare for the contractor’s exam. It is up to the individual person to decide which method is best for them in order to pass. Once you pass the test, if you are looking to apply for your Florida contractor’s, the team here can help make the process easier and faster. Call us at 239-777-1028 to help you get your license as soon as possible.

Getting Liability Insurance as a Contractor

On: June 15, 2016May 25, 2016 By: admin

Contractors should get liability insurance. Better to be safe than sorry, right? This coverage helps protect business owners, contractors, and homeowners from liability related to on-job accidents, products, and other forms of liability like contractual liability. Worker’s compensation cannot protect people from liability, but this insurance can.

As a contractor, it is in your best interest to purchase contractor liability insurance. This insurance protects the contractor, the business, or the assets of the business when it’s being sued. Many jobs will require you to have this insurance in order to work. You have a better chance of being hired by a homeowner or a business owner if they feel like they are protected, and saw that you took measures to protect yourself and them. You can often bid for work without this insurance, but are unable to actually work without it. As a reminder, contractor’s liability insurance doesn’t protect contractors again poor workmanship or construction defects.

This insurance is important because claims against contractors happen and can be very expensive. General contractor liability insurance isn’t required by Florida, but many counties do require it. In Florida, covered claims can include bodily injury, property damage, negligence, personal injury, general damages, compensatory damages, and damage from slander or false advertising. In Florida, most companies consider this insurance essential. By contacting the county that you plan to work in, you can find out if insurance is required.

Shop around for the best liability insurance for you. Research different insurance companies and ask fellow contractors what companies they’re using and why. Make sure to look at these company’s ratings. Also, you’re researching to get the best quotes you can too. For general and building contractors these are the minimum amounts for general liability insurance are around: $300,000 bodily injury and $50,000 property damage. Make sure you receive proof of insurance from whichever insurance company you choose to go through. This certificate of insurance usually need to be shown before you can start a job, or needs to be at the job site. Also, make sure you receive the original certificate and not a copy.

Protecting yourself as a contractor is important – it not only saves you money, but it gives you peace of mind. Even though it’s not required by the state, it is in your best insurance to get yourself insured.

If you have questions about general liability insurance, looking to apply or renew your Florida contractor’s license or need help forming or running your business, the team here can help make the process easier and faster for you. Please call us at 239-777-1028 to get help from us right away.

Great Contractor Web Tools

On: June 8, 2016May 25, 2016 By: admin

Contractors need to be on top of everything in their industry. Why? For many reasons! By staying up with current technologies, rules, developments, contractors remain relevant, knowledgeable, on top of their game, and are able to compete with other contractors for jobs. There are many technology tools out there to help contractors bring their expertise and business to a whole other level.

Here are some great web tools contractors should use to help them better themselves and their career as a whole.

BRL-CAD – This program is a cross platform, open-source modeling system. It included interactive 3D solid geometry editing, high-performance ray-tracing support for rendering and geometric anaylsis, image and signal processing tools, network-distributed framebuffer support, path-tracing and photon mapping support for realistic image synthesis, and more! This CAD system has been used by the U.S. military for more than 20 years to model weapons systems. It is a collection of more than 400 tools, utilities, and applications with more than a million lines of source code.
Inkscape – This is professional-quality vector graphic software that is able to run on Windows, Mac OS X and GNU/Linux. With this program, contractors can create graphics, illustrations, icons, logos, diagrams, web graphics, and maps.
Wufoo – This program is an online form designer that can help contractors create all kinds of forms, like contact forms. This platform has more than 300 templates to work with and even allows the user to collect payments online through the forms.
Basecamp – This is a web-based project management tool. This helps keeps everyone working on a project on the same page. Everything a person needs for this project lives in the same place, and it’s all organized. Basecamp allow lets people know what they should be doing on a project.
LinkedIn – This social media platform allows people to create professional pages for themselves. In this tool, contractors can advertise/showcase themselves and their business. People can also promote other people’s skills and expertise on this site, and even write reviews.

Some other great web-based tools: Google Docs, Gimp, PDFCreator, Imperium, ProcessMaker, Dropbox, and WordPress.

Staying on top of things in the contracting world is crucial to a successful career. The above tools can help a contractor plan, organize, and work better. If you’re currently looking to apply or renew your Florida contractor’s license or need help forming or running your business, the team here can help make the process easier and faster for you. Please call us at 239-777-1028 to get help from us right away.

Great Book Resources for Contractors

On: June 1, 2016May 25, 2016 By: admin

contractor books Contractors have a lot to think about, know, and learn on a daily basis. A contractor’s job is constantly evolving as time, guidelines, methods, the environment, and people’s needs change. This means, a contractor has a lot to know whether he or she is about to become a contractor or has been one for many years.

Once a contractor has earned his or her contractor’s license, the learning doesn’t stop! New information to be learned can include: how to run a business, workplace safety, ongoing training, and more. There is so much information out there, and at times, it can be overwhelming. Here at Licenses, Etc. we’re here to help point our contractor clients in the right direction and help them succeed in their careers.

Below we’ve gathered a list of the best book resources for contractors. These books offer the latest and best industry news, practices, and tips. These resources can help a contractor improve their skill set, increase business, better communication skills, increase value to a customer, and more.

501 Contractor Tips by Greg Vanden Berge – This author has worked in the construction business for more than 30 years. He offers unique business techniques that have worked for him and many other contractors. He shares his own successes and failures. This book offers contractors tips to make more money, build a better business, and be more successful.

The Power of Positive Pricing by Matt Michel – In this book, Michel addresses a common mistake that many contractors make: pricing poorly. He says pricing must be figured out for everything else to work correctly. According to him, pricing is about strategy and presentation, not just a billing rate.

HVAC Spells Wealth by Ron Smith – This book is a wealth of knowledge on service contracting. Smith, a Contracting Business Hall of Fame member, wrote this to explain how to run an HVAC company from start to finish. This book has been read by thousands of contractors, distributors, alliances, vendors, associations, consolidators, and manufacturers.

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber – In this book, the author dispels any myths around starting a business by showing how commonplace assumptions can get in the way of running a business. He shows the distinction between working on your business and working in your business.

Knowledge is power; the more contractors known about their field and the business world, the better their services and value will be to the customer. These are just a few titles, but there are plenty of more books out there to help contractors with other tips or to prepare for the exam.

If you’re currently looking to apply or renew your Florida contractor’s license or need help forming or running your business, the team at here can help make the process easier and faster for you. Please call us at 239-777-1028 to get help from us right away.

How to Renew a Contractor License

On: May 24, 2016May 24, 2016 By: admin

contractor license

Is it time to renew your Florida contractor license? Unsure of what to do? You’ve come to the right place. This post will simplify the steps and information you need to successfully renew your contractor license to keep your business going.

There are two parts of renewing a Florida contractor license: paying the renewal fee, and completing continuing education (CEU) courses. But before we talk about these parts, let’s talk about where to go to renew your license and how to do it.

Being a licensed contractor, you are most likely registered online with Florida’s Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR). Click here for DBPR’s website. As a returning user, you can enter your login information. The DBPR’s online services allow you to: link you license with your profile, attach any necessary documents, check your application status, renew licenses, make payments, update an address, view CEU history, maintain license relationship, and work on incomplete submissions.

If you are not registered with the DBPR online or you need a new account, click here for a tutorial on how to create your account and how to link your license to the online account.

Once you’re logged in, here are the steps to renew:

Click on the license that you like to renew from those listed on the right.
Select “Renew” from the options shown.
A disclaimer screen explaining CEU information will pop up. Read it, then select “Next.”
A screen with your name, birthday and SSN will pop up. Select “Next.”
A screen with your main address will pop up. If you need to change the address, click the “Main Address” button, and you can update it. If you’d like to add an additional address (license location, license mailing) or add a new phone number, click “Add.” Otherwise, click “Next.”
A summary page will pop up to conform any changes. It will provide the information about to be saved into the system. Read this page. If it looks good, select “Next.” Otherwise, select “Previous” to go back and make any changes.
Complete the Attest Statement by selecting “Yes,” followed by “Submit.”
A payment screen will pop up showing the price of your renewal. Click “Pay Now” to complete the transaction or click “Submit Additional Applications” if you have more than one license that needs to be renewed.
1. You can pay by credit card or electronic check. Once you have entered the proper information, select “Next.” Your card will be process and a confirmation number will be provided for you to save for your own records.

Parts of the License Renewal

Paying Renewal Fees – In 2016, the current two-year license renewal fee is $209 for both certified and registered contractors. A $5 unlicensed activity fee and $4 fee, that will go to the Department of Community Affairs to fund projects related to building construction or continuing education in the building construction industry in Florida, are added to this amount

CEU Requirement – Florida requires contractors to complete 14 hours of board-approved CEU hours for each two-year renewal cycle. A contractor must complete at least one hour about workplace safety, one hour on worker’s compensation, one hour on business practices, one hour on Florida laws and rules, two hours of false alarm prevention (for alarm contractors and electrical contractors who perform alarm work), and one hour on Florida Building Code advanced modules. Seven course hours will come from the specific type of technical contracting work you do (electrical, construction, home inspector, mold). Any remaining hours are considered general credit.

There are many places where you can take CEU course. You can choose to take courses online or straight in the classroom. You can decide which course provider and their options best suit your needs based on your schedule, location, and learning preferences. Here are a few places that offer CEU courses for contractor licenses:

Gold Coast Schools: www.goldcoastschools.com
Red Vector: www.redvector.com

Need More Assistance with Your Florida Contractor License?

The above steps and information should be able to help you easily get through the contractor license renewal process. If you’re having any difficulty, our experts here can help you with the process. If you’re looking to apply for a license for the first time, we can help you get a better chance of approval. To schedule a free consultation or for help, contact us at 239-777-1028.

Check out the Miami Construction Forum

On: April 1, 2016May 24, 2016 By: admin

contractor license

The Miami Construction Forum is a great resource for contractors, and we’d like to share this great opportunity with you. The forum is free and there are no required meetings or events to attend. It’s all about learning.

The Forum meets the third Wednesday of each month for a complimentary lunch and learn session. Construction professionals (company owners, manager, subcontractors, suppliers) gather to hear a presentation by an industry expert. Not only is this a chance for you to learn about legal and business developments affecting the construction the industry, it is also a great opportunity for people to network with other professionals in the field. The meetings are held from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at The Landing at MIA, 7415 Corporate Center Drive (NW 19^th Street), Suite H, Miami, Florida.

On April 20, the topic of the session will be “Outsourcing: The Pros, Cons & Accounting Ramifications;” “Dealing with Inspectors” will be held on May 18; “Staying Smart About Credit: 10 Strategies that Work” will be held on June 15; and “Job Site Safety: OSHA Compliance Requirements” will be held on July 20. For a full list of future Forum topics, click here.

To attend and reserve a sport a Miami Construction Forum, contact Nancy at ninterian@barthey.com or at 305-347-5296. For more information about the Forum, click here.

Contractor Licensing Help

Looking to get your Florida contractor’s license? Or need help with becoming an LLC or filing an annual report? The team here has been helping thousands of Florida contractors get their license since 2007. We pride ourselves on giving the best service in our industry.; we make it as simple as we can. For a free consultation, please contact us at 239-777-1028 or 954-573-2700 or click here. We can help you obtain a Florida contractor’s license, a Georgia contractor’s license, or any other state contractor’s license.