Tag: florida contractor tips

Electrical Contractor Shortage

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When it comes to electricians, 85,900 professionals will be needed to fill electrician jobs by 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The need for electricians will continue to rise, says BLS, in the next 10 years due to wiring needs in residences and businesses, along with construction booming. However, there seems to be a shortage of electricians at the time to fill in all these needed positions. If you’re looking to become an electrical contractor, now is the time! In the next decade, the job outlook has it growing at 14%. Apparently, employers, according to BLS, are also having a hard time finding qualified employees, so this is a field where you can easily jump into, once you’ve completed the proper training and licensure.

What does an electrical contractor/electrician do exactly? Well, he or she maintains and installs electrical systems in homes, businesses, and other buildings. They look at blueprints, deal with repairs, work with other types of contractors in order to complete their part of the job. The average salary for this occupation is $51,880.

If you like problem solving, fast-paced work that allows you to work with your hands and meet a lot of new people, this is the career for you.

If you want to hire a good electrician, it’s a good idea, as a contractor, to offer individuals additional training and certification, so they see a career path for themselves. Since so many companies will be in demand of electricians, companies need to truly offer electrical contractors something that other companies will not (newest technology, better wages, flexible work hours, job advancement).  These approaches will help employees stick around longer and choose one company over the other hundreds looking to fill electrical contractor positions.

Looking to become an electrical contractor? Now is the time! Let us help you. Learn more here about getting an electrical contractor’s license.  It’s imperative that you get licensed. Unlicensed work is illegal in the state of Florida, and customers will have less trust in you. As a Florida contractor licensing company, we want to help you get your license in such a fast-growing field. We will do all the heavy-lifting of the application process for you. To get started on this process, click here or call 239-777-1028.

 

 

 

 

 

DIY Work or a Contractor?

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In today’s world, DIY ( do it yourself) projects are all the rage. From home improvements to a child’s birthday celebration, people are creating, building, and crafting things all up on their own. Why? Well for one, DIY projects can, often times, be more affordable than hiring someone or buying things. Second, many people have fun doing projects themselves and feel a lot of pride when it’s a job well done. However, not every project out there should be a DIY. There’s just some projects that need true expertise, knowledge and skill, especially when it deals with home improvement.  When deciding whether to do a job yourself or hire a contractor, you should consider your skill level, how long the job will take, how much free time you have, and compare the costs.

There’s plenty of work to do with a home: repairs, remodeling, additions, etc. But when choosing what to hire a contractor for in your home, there’s plenty to keep in mind. First off, labor is a bulk (most often) of the cost to do a project. Many times the cost of the materials is cheap but the labor is what makes the bill so high. At this point, you’ll need to decide (labor-wise) what job can you afford to do the work and what job you can’t. Jobs like fixing a cabinet door or painting a room could be projects you take on yourself to avoid hefty bills.

More complicated home jobs such as plumbing, tiling, electrical work, should be left to professionals. Unless you or a loved one has experience doing these type of jobs before, it’s better they are done by a professional. If there are dangerous jobs (roofing, electrical work), jobs that could ruin your home, or required a permit, then leave it to the professionals. You don’t want to destroy your home or get in trouble with your city due to construction you started.

Some jobs around your home are just too specialized; a person with real training and certifications can handle the job easily, but you may fall short. You can also come across problems mid-project that you may not know how to handle, but a professional contractor would.

There’s a lot of things to think about when deciding on whether a job should be DIY or contractor work. Is the job a hassle? Is It costly? It is time consuming? Is it a dangerous job? Do I need a permit? Ultimately, the decision is up to you based on your experience, needs, wants, time, and finances.

Looking to become a licensed contractor? Maybe you love DIY work so much that you want to take it to the next level? We can help you get licensed. We are a Florida contractor licensing company. We can help you create and submit a licensing application. To get started, click here or call us at 239-777-1028.

The importance of safety glasses

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What do flying debris, airborne dust, and shattering glass have in common?

 

They can all cause eye injuries.

 

It’s no surprise that the construction industry ranks second among occupations with the highest rate of eye injuries, given the number of potential hazards that workers face each day.

 

According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, three out of every five eye injuries in the workplace happen to individuals who are not wearing eye protection. More than 20,000 eye injuries occur at work each year, and reportedly cost an estimated $300 million in lost productivity, medical bills, and workers’ compensation claims.

 

The federal Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintains safety standards for eye and face protection; in most cases, personal protective eyewear is mandatory at job sites. Safety glasses with side shields are required for environments in which concrete, metal, and wood particles are in the air.

 

Here are a few tips for picking the right pair of safety glasses and staying safe at work:

 

–Simply put, wearing safety glasses is your best defense against injury. Be sure your eyewear is OSHA-compliant and carries the approval of the American National Standards Institute. Sealed glasses provide the best protection from airborne debris.

 

–Workers exposed to daylong sunlight should wear safety glasses that offer protection from the sun’s ultra-violet rays. Look for glasses marked “UV400,” which provide 100-percent protection. Glasses with variable lenses stay clear indoors, and transition to a dark tint outdoors. Lenses with an anti-fog coating will prevent temperature and humidity changes from obscuring your view.

 

–Take steps to create a safer work environment and make an eye safety checklist. Identify primary hazards at each job site, secure objects that could fall, make sure that safety systems on power tools are functional, and designate specific areas for activities that create dust and debris. Take time at the end of each day to clean up and re-evaluate the workspace for potential issues.

 

–Make sure you have a first-aid kit on hand that contains an ample amount eye wash, which can be used to flush out any specks of debris.  However, a person who has suffered an eye cut or puncture should not flush the eye, and instead seek immediate medical attention.

 

Having the right licenses for the job are just as important as workplace safety. A Florida contractor licensing company can help individuals and companies navigate the state’s licensing requirements, with approvals as quick as 10 days. For more information on Florida contractor requirements or to get an application started, visit our Florida contractor licensing page or call 239-777-1028.

Housing sales ‘heat wave’ continues into July

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Report: Construction jobs increased in August

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

Contractor Products to Put on Your Wish List

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Have the 2017 Construction Trends Come True Yet?

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

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

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

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

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

General Contractors vs. Subcontractors

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Unlicensed contractors target of undercover investigation

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Think unlicensed contracting work is no big deal?

 

Think again.

 

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office recently announced the arrest of nine men in July on charges related to performing unlicensed contracting work, following an undercover investigation dubbed “Operation Freelancer IV.”

 

With the help of Florida’s Department of Financial Services Division of Insurance Fraud and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, detectives contacted individuals who were advertising home repair services – work that requires one or more state-issued license.

 

Once the contractor showed up to a home to perform the work, authorities checked with the DBPR to determine if they held a license, were registered as a contractor in Florida and were required to hold workers’ compensation coverage.

 

The three-day sting reportedly resulted in 11 felony charges and seven misdemeanor charges. Those arrested ranged in age from 42 to 69, and resided in Bradenton, Englewood, North Port, Myrtle Beach, Port Charlotte and Sarasota.

 

Typically, a first offense results in a civil citation, but subsequent violations can lead to misdemeanor or felony criminal charges. Those charged can also expect to receive a cease and desist order from the State of Florida.

 

“Maintenance operations like these should be a good reminder for consumers to always seek licensed contractors to perform work on their homes or businesses,” Sheriff Tom Knight said in a WFLA News Channel 8 report. “Consumers are exposing themselves to financial and physical risk by allowing these people to enter their home, unlicensed, and in some cases, with criminal histories. Let this be a warning to criminals who come into our community and illegally solicit services that their behavior will not be tolerated.”

 

In a separate sting operation in June called “Operation Builder Bust,” authorities in Lakeland arrested eight men on similar charges. Those charged reportedly advertised their abilities to perform wide-ranging plumbing and electrical work on the Internet without licenses or training, and all but one had no workers’ compensation coverage to protect their employees, according to news reports.

 

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