Tag: florida contractor tips

Construction Jobs Continue to Rise

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Good news for you contractors! Employment in the construction field is continuing a steady growth, which means more job security for you! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, at the end of 2017, they revealed continued job growth in the United States with the unemployment rate at 4.1%. Ten percent of the jobs added were in the construction industry; there were 228,000 jobs added in the entire economy.

Construction Employers of America were happy with these statistics showing how valuable and important the construction trade is. Most of all November 2017’s job growth happened in the specialty trade construction sector, which shows that America still needs and values highly-skilled labor.

In November, employment in the construction field was up 24,000 jobs and 22,600 of them were specialty trade jobs. Of this numbers, 12,000 jobs were added in non-residential specialty construction and 10,700 were added in residential specialty construction.

It is believed specialty trader construction is growing because of the extensive and high-quality job training and apprenticeship programs, also customers have projects that are becoming larger and more complex.

Thinking about getting a job in the construction field? Now is the time. As you can see from above, the market is growing. After completely your training and exams, you will be able to find jobs in this field across the country. Never practice without a license. In most states, unlicensed contractor work is illegal. Plus, many people will not hire you if you are not licensed, because they assume you will not deliver a quality product.

Looking to get your Florida contractor’s license? Let us help you! We are a Florida contractor licensing company who has helped thousands of people get their contractor license. We will make the process simple and fast for you! Just tell us some information, and we will complete and submit all the paperwork. Work with us to get your Florida contractor’s license. To get started on the contractor license process, click here or call us at 239-777-1028.

 

Great Hand Tools for Contractors

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Contractors are always using their hands. Whether you’re a general contractor or a plumber, you need your hands to get the job done. For this article, we wanted to share with you some great hand tools for you to purchase for your job! Whether you buy it on your own, or tell your employer about it, you need these hand tools in your life! They’ll make your job so much easier!

C-Style Close Quarters Copper Tubing Cutters – This product is made by Ridgid. With this tool, you can cut three sizes of copper pip with a ½” and ¾” combined tubing cutter. You can easily switch back and froth between the sizes. There are slots around the outside of the cutter for a flat-head screwdriver to rotate the tool when needed.

Deb1 Deburring and Chamfering Tool – This product is made by Reed. It is used with PVC, CPVC, ABS, PE, and PP pipe that is up to 2 inches in diameter. It comes with an internal pip guide and a knurled grip. You can choose to sharpen or replace the blade.

Pirana II Plastic Pipe Ratchet Cutter – This product is made by J.C. Whitlam. This product can be used with one hand. It comes with a 2” cutter carbon-steel blade. It is heavy duty and makes a clean cut.

Crescent 12” Self-Adjusting Pipe Wrench – This product is made by Apex. You can use it with one hand. It has a self-adjusting head that grabs and releases pipe and fasteners; it has fast-ratcheting action. It has a tooth design that allows the jaws of the wrench to bite down deeply and hold tight, even under heavier force. It can fit in tight spaces.

Come back to our blog for more blogs on tool products. We love sharing with you!

In the market for a contractor’s license? You came to the right place. If you’d like to get your Florida contractor’s license, let us help you! We are a Florida contractor licensing company. We will do the work for you! To get started on the contractor license process, click here or call us at 239-777-1028.

Benefits of Hiring a General Contractor

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Being a contractor is a rewarding job. Contractors get to work on a project, and usually see it from start to finish, and can be proud of the work you put in to create an impressive product. The job is a challenging one, both mentally and physically.  Contractors need good management skills, finance skills, you have to stay on top of your licensure, be good with your hands, be physically able to handle tasks, be able to negotiate prices, work with other contractors, deal with on-site job issues, and more. For this article, we wanted to share with you the benefits of hiring a general contractor, instead of doing a job on your own. By looking at these points, you can make an educated guess as to if you need a general contractor and why.

  • You don’t have to lift a finger. Contractors will take care of the entire project.
  • Due to skills and experience, the job will be finished faster than if you did it yourself.
  • Not only will the job be finished faster, it will be done more efficiently.
  • Contractors have connections with other contractors and vendors.
  • It may cost more than if you did the job yourself, but there’s a good chance the project was completed faster, with better materials, and looks more professional.
  • Contractors can get deals on materials you won’t be able to get yourself.
  • Their extensive training and licensure allows them to handle different types and sizes of projects in your home.
  • Complications on the job occur. A contractor mostly likely has been up against all complications before and knows how to handle them, you may not have this expertise.
  • Whenever you build a home, complete a renovation, or put on an addition, you have to abide by building codes. Contractors stay up to date with these codes and they know to comply with them.
  • Contractor’s carry liability insurance and worker’s compensation incase anything serious happens on the job.
  • General contractors usually provide a warranty for their work.

 

If you’d like to get your Florida contractor’s license,, let us help you! We are a Florida contractor licensing company. To get started on the contractor license process, click here or call us at 239-777-1028.

 

 

 

Mobile Apps for Efficiency in Contracting

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There’s an app for everything these days! Did you know there’s apps for contractors that help with efficiency in the field? There are! Each year, more apps are developed to help increase workflow efficiency. These apps feature electronic date capture in the field.

We wanted to share with two of these apps with you. After reading this article, you may want to download these apps and use them in your company!

GoCanvas.com – This is a cloud-based platform that automates the collection of date on mobile devices. On the GoCanvas mobile app, you can input data using forms (pre-made or ones you created). You can submit, store, or archive this data, and retrieve it whenever you want. You can also use this app to get a customer’s signature, take photos, get estimates, create work orders or invoices, create and maintain checklists, do time cards, and accept payments. This app can also manage technicians/contractors in the field. Pricing varies, but you can sign up for a 30-day trial.

iAuditor –  This is a checklist app where you can create safety and quality inspection checklists and reports. You can add photos, time stamps, GPS location, and signatures during an inspection. This app is free for 30 days.

Want to use an app on a bigger screen? Like a tablet? But don’t want to put the tablet down or risk losing it? Since tablets are heavy and large, they cannot be put in your pocket, so what can you do? We have a solution.  The Runnur Tablet Tech Belt system helps you carry your tablet hands-free. It is secured on your hip by a heavy duty black belt and hip pad. It’s easy access!

Thinking about a career in contracting? Let us help you! We are a Florida contractor licensing company. We’ve been in business for awhile helping thousands get licensed. If you’d like to get your Florida contractor’s license, get started today. To work on getting your Florida contractor’s license, click here or call us at 239-777-1028.

 

 

 

Tips to Create a Good Work Culture for Contractors

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A good, successful contractor or construction company isn’t just about quality skills and a finished product… it’s about a good work culture for the entire team. Without a good work culture, projects won’t get completed, things would fall apart, and jobs wouldn’t be done well.  You want your workers/employees to be proud to work for you and your company.

 

As a Florida contractor licensing company, we wanted to share some tips in how you can bolster a good work culture in your business:

  • Create an environment where employees don’t feel overpowered by management.
  • Allows employees an open space for communication, suggestions, ideas.
  • Give incentives to inspire and make people want to put more effort into the company.
  • Reward teamwork.
  • Reward and invoke responsible behavior.
  • Encourage leadership.
  • Develop relationships and connections amongst workers.
  • Be transparent with the business.
  • Don’t guilt employees when they need time off.
  • Minimize/eliminate micromanaging.
  • Give employees freedom so they feel more connected to the company.
  • Think about the different needs of your employees. Some require more space/alone time than others to get work done.
  • Provide education and training for the staff.
  • Make the work culture a reflection of yourself so it’s personal.
  • Communication is key. Figure out ways to always share goals and visions for the company.
  • Encourage collaborations.
  • Schedule group retreats, parties, etc. so people have some fun to look forward to while being part of this team.
  • Treat employees like human beings, not like parts of a machine.

 

Looking to become a Florida contractor, or start up a contractor business of your own? We can help your through the licensure process to make that happen. When applying for a contractor license or business license, there’s a lot of paperwork and requirements. It can be confusing and a hassle, especially with all the deadlines. As a Florida contractor licensing company, we know the ins and outs of the process because we’ve helped thousands of people get their Florida contractor’s license. To get started with us today, click here or call 239-777-1028.

 

Read Up on the Latest Construction Trends

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

 

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

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

 

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

Think About Starting Your Own Contractor Blog

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What comes to mind when you think of a contractor? Hard hats? Hammers? Utility belts? Construction sites? Heavy machinery? Ladders? How about a blog? Yup, that’s right – a blog. In this day and age, it can be very beneficial for a contractor to have a blog (only if you have the time for it though). Your workload and projects come before crafting articles for the internet.

 

Why a blog? Well, a blog can help a contractor get new business. By blogging regularly, over time, the blog can help generate business, and you won’t have to spend as much money in marketing your company in other ways.

 

What should your write about? Well, you can write, or you can vlog (video blog), or do both. Blog whatever way you feel comfortable with that you think will truly engage readers and bring in potential clients.

 

As a contractor, what should a blog discuss? Here are some ideas: answer frequently asked questions; describe your company; introduce team members; create a DIY or how-to video or tutorial; do product reviews; take video at a job site; share before/after photos.

 

Show in your blog posts or videos that you’re an expert in all things contracting. You want people to turn to you or think of you when they need to get a job done. Even if your blog is read from people far away, you’ll still gain visibility and popularity which will give your credibility with the search engines.

 

A blog can make you seem human and personal to viewers. People will want to work with you if they like what they read or see. This is your chance to let your personality and skills shines.

 

If you’re interested in becoming a contractor, you’ll need to get your Florida contractor’s license to practice legally. We can help. We are a Florida contractor licensing company. We do all the necessary paperwork and filing for you. Click here or call 239-777-1028 to start the process with us today.

Best Apps for a Construction Site

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Construction sites are filled with hustle and bustle – there’s always a lot going on. It can be a very demanding job managing all the moving parts of a site. Between workers and equipment, there’s a lot to keep track of. Thankfully, just like every other industry these days, the contractor world has plenty of mobile apps that can actually make life more efficient at a job site. Whether it’s a smartphone or a tablet, contractors are able to change the way they work as they begin to rely on mobile devices for help with tasks throughout the day. For this article, we wanted to focus on some apps that can help out contractors in a construction site.

 

iBlueprint –  ($.99) With this app, users can create and export custom blueprints right at their fingertips! The app will store all the blueprints in one place, safely in your phone. You won’t have to worry about misplacing them, accidently throwing them away, spilling things on them, etc.

 

Builder’s Helper ($14.99) – This is a construction calculator app, calculating simple equations to more difficult formulas dealing with square or cubic measurements. You can save these calculations and even print them out. This is a highly advanced app that is easy to use.

 

BIM 360 Field (FREE) – This app is field management software for 2D and 3D projects.

 

Procore – (FREE) This app allows people working on a job to share data including contact information, project photos, worker hours, to-do lists, and more. This app even can upload and share blueprints.

 

SmartBid – (FREE) This app allows the user to keep track of all subcontractor and vendor interactions like bid information, due dates, status updates, supply updates, measurements, and more. This info is synced to your phone or other device so you can view it even if the internet isn’t available.

 

Using apps is the way the construction world is going. These apps help make a construction site more organized, and a project flow easier. Technology changes and updates all the time, and that includes contractor technology through a mobile app. It’s better to get used to their mobile apps now, so you and your company will not behind the times (or other companies). You want to show your clients that you’re in the know.

 

Looking to get a Florida contractor’s license? As a Florida contractor licensing company, it is our job to help you get licensed, and we make the process stress-free and fast! To get started on getting your contrator’s license, click here or call 239-777-1028.

 

Holiday Gift Guide 2017

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The holiday season is here! Now is the perfect time to get your favorite contractor (family member or friend) or yourself a great gift that helps them with their train. Contractors need lots of tools, equipment and gadgets in their day to day jobs.  If the contractor you’re buying for owns his own company or is part of a tiny company or is self-employed, they could use a gift, because they most likely don’t have a company supplying tools for them to use.

 

It’s important to note what kind of contractor you’re buying for, since each specialty of contracting does and requires different things.  You need to buy them things they will actually use depending on their role, and try not to purchase items he or she already has, unless of course, it’s a special personalized item. As a contractor licensing company, we wanted to share some great products for you to get for a contractor you know this holiday season.

 

  • Bosch GLM 10 – This is a laser measure that is small, precise and simple. It is a reliable device that takes instant measurements up to 35 feet. It is portable and fits easily in one hand or a pocket. It is easy to use. All you do to measure is press one button!
  • SOG PowerAssist Multi-Tool B66N-CP — This device is a muti-tool solution in one compact form. It has 6 tools in one device. There is a blade, pliers, file, crimpers, a can opener, bottle opener, a v-cutter, screwdrivers, and a ruler.
  • Stanley 7qt Heritage Cooler – This cooler comes with a 1-quart vacuum bottle that can keep drinks hot or cold for 24 hours and iced for 120 hours. It is made from stainless steel.
  • Snap-On Rolling tool bag – This tool bag is built to last and is water resistant. It has a heavy-duty handle and oversized wheels, which makes it easy to bring everywhere.
  • Magnetic wrist bands – These wrist bands are perfect for holding screws, nails, scissors, bolts, and more when you have too much to carry and need another set of hands.

These are just a few gift ideas! There’s a lot out there a contractor friend of yours will love to receive this holiday season.

If you’re looking to get your Florida contractor’s license, let us help you. We are a Florida contractor licensing company. We have helps thousands get their contractor license. To start the license process today, click here or call 239-777-1028.

 

 

Managing Your Inventory as a Contractor

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If you own your own contractor business or manage a lot within the company you work for, you may deal with site inventory. In this position, you take charge of the purchasing and managing of the inventory for the company in order for the company to complete current jobs and land new owns.

When you’re in charge of inventory, you have to be concerned with forecasting, purchasing orders, deliveries, stock levels, fill rates, back orders, and more. You may even have to provide inventory reports on a regular basis to a superior or owner of the company. This position, as you can probably gather, is extremely important.

Being in 2017, there’s a lot of technology out there now that can really help manage job site inventory better. If a job site’s inventory isn’t managed properly, it can cost the company a lot of money, or it can potentially make the company lose clients.

It’s important to keep track of every machine, tool, piece of equipment and other items on the job site. As you move from site to site, it’s always important to double check the equipment and numbers so the chance of loss or things missing gets lowered.

As you work on each job, you can also evaluate if your current inventory is sufficient enough for the types of jobs you’re taking on. Is there not enough equipment? Do you own unnecessary tools? You don’t want to pay for materials that you ultimately have no use for at the present time. As the inventory manager, as long as you keep up with inventory, your materials/tools/machines will accurately reflect the needs and demands of your company.

There are a few different inventory scanner apps (free and not-free) that can help you manage your job better. These apps include: Inventory Tracker, and Inventory Tracking Sheet with Barcoding.

Although the apps are handy and convenient, they’re not the most realiable or efficient. Bar codes and radio frequency identification (RFID), as well as scanner equipment and software, are the best choice to help you. Trusted vendors that produce these products include: ToolWatch, Purple Oak, and GAO RFID Inc. If you are a smaller company with a smaller budget, sticking to mobile apps will be a conservative choice. Scanners and RFID products cost money, but you also get support when using these products. Sometimes, phones can be used as scanners (headed this way) but they aren’t perfect yet; however, a phone scanner is cheaper solution than purchasing a scanner.

Thinking about becoming a contractor? You’ll need your license to practice legally in the state of Florida. We can help. We are a contractor licensing company. We will help you get your Florida contractor’s license fast and painlessly. To get started, click here or call 239-777-1028.