Tag: florida contractor tips

Does Your Contracting Service Require Florida Licensing?

On: By: admin

 

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

On: By: admin

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

On: By: admin

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

On: By: admin

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.

Florida Contractor Licensing Company Celebrates 10 Years

On: By: admin

Happy Birthday to us! We are a Florida contractor licensing company and we’re celebrating a big anniversary. Our 10th anniversary! On April 2nd, our company has officially benn in business for 10 years helping Florida contractors get their Florida contractor’s license. We also help people get their contractor licenses in other states, as well.

Since 2007, it has been our mission and goal to deliver the best service in the industry to contractors. In fact, we have helped thousands of contractors successfully get their licenses. We have also helped contractors form their own and new businesses. The purpose of our contractor licensing company is to help people get licensed fast while making the process stress free and easy. We do all the heavy lifting. We are experts in putting together contractor license applications. We know the correct information to provide and everything the Licensing Board needs to know. We take pride in how painless, fast and efficient we make the process.

Our team members are experienced and knowledgeable in this field. In our business, we have be able to get 95 percent of the licensing packages approved for licensure the first time around with no deficiencies. We are also able to get people new businesses and LLCs within a few days.

Our team members are essential to our success. We are dedicated to helping out clients every step of the way. We have worked with electrical contractors, building contractors, and remodeling companies. We also have a well-rounded business background.

If it wasn’t for our clients, we would not have made it 10 years. So, thank you to all out-contractor clients who have made our business a success. Thank you for trusting us to help get your contractor license in Florida.
Not only do we love helping our clients get licensed, but we love being a wealth of information for them, as well. We share contractor news, tips, and legal information to help our clients succeed in their careers.

 

Let’s hope we have another 10 years of helping Florida contractors get licensed in the future. TO learn more, click our Florida Contractor’s License page.

 

 

How to Obtain a Registered Contractor License in Florida

On: By: admin

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.

What is a specialty structure contractor?

On: By: admin

In the world of contracting, there are a lot of different specialties a person can choose from. For this post, we wanted to share with you one in particular: a Florida Specialty Structure Contractor. In the state of Florida, a specialty structure contractor fabricates, assembles, handles, erects, installs, replaces, dismantles, adjusts, alters, repairs, services, and designs work in accordance with accepted engineering data to manufacturers specifications. This would be done in metal, canvas, vinyl, fiberglass screening, doors, windows, hurricane-protection devices and construction materials.

As a specialty structure contractor, they work with: fabric coverings, metal substructures, screened porches, pool and screened enclosures, preformed panel-post and beam roofs, manufactured housing roof-overs, guardrails, handrails, vinyl and aluminum fences, residential glass window and door enclosures, sunrooms, siding, gutters, and a few other items.

Applicants for a specialty structure contract must have experience in concrete in siding, soffit, fascias, gutters, downspouts, corner cables, rigid bracing, post and beam structures, vinyl and glass windows, screen roofs, screen walls, framed solid panel walls, screen and storm doors, composite metal panel walls, concrete slabs, CMU kneewalls, excavating, laying out, forming and placing pier-type post footings.

These contractors cannot perform work that alters the structural integrity of a building including working with roof trusses, lintels, load-bearing walls and foundations. When it comes to masonry concrete work, these contractors’ work is limited to foundations, slabs, and block kneewalls.

Want to get your Florida contractor’s license and become a specialty structure contractor? Our team of experienced professionals are here to help answer all your questions and get you your license. We have help thousands of contractors get their license. We have been a company since 2007. And around 95 percent of our Florida contractor licensing packages get approved the first time with no issues. To learn more about us click here. To get started on your Florida contractor’s license, click here or call 239-777-1028.

 

Is a carpenter a contractor?

On: By: admin

Is a carpenter a contractor? Usually, a carpenter is not a contractor, but is usually employed by one. In essence, they are a sub-contractor. However, a carpenter can be a contractor. Contractors provide carpenters, and other workers, with jobs to do and instructions.

Often, many carpenters do not have an education beyond high school,  and can be both skilled and unskilled; they work with materials and tools to build a new or unfinished project. They are a laborer designated for construction tasks.

Carpenter construct, install and repairs structures from wood and other materials; they work on homes, buildings, kitchens, bridges, highways, and more. A carpenter’s skills can be huge. Some carpenters know how to frame walls, put in doors, put in windows, build stairs, install molding, install cabinets, build tunnel bracing, build concrete tunnels, replace glass, replace tiles, repair furniture, change locks, move machinery and more.

This job is a good 40 hours a week, and it is a very physically demanding job. Carpenters do a lot of heavy lifting, standing, bending, kneeling, climbing, and more. They work with a lot of sharp, heavy, and rough materials so safety is a concern.

After high school, many people interested in becoming a carpenter work with a carpenter or attend a trade or vocational school. Some companies offer apprenticeships to people to learn the craft of carpentry; these apprenticeships combine classroom studies with on-the-job training. These programs are usually three to four years.

Skills needed and required of a carpenter include: good hand-eye coordination, physical fitness, manual dexterity, balance, good at math, and more.

If your state requires a license to be a carpenter, it’s essential you get one, or else you will be working illegally. By being licensed, this shows you have experience, that you’ve passed certain tests, and you know the laws.

If you’re looking to get a Florida contractor’s license, let us help! We are a team of professionals who has helped thousands of contractors get their license so they are able to work. We make the process easy and fast for you. To learn more, click here or call 239-777-1028.

What is an Irrigation Contractor?

On: By: admin

Contracting is a huge industry. When a person things of contracting, often times, construction or electrical industries, come to mind. However, there are so many specialties in the world of contracting. Whether you like working with pipes or wood or windows, there is a type of contracting out there to suit a person’s interests and skill set. For this particular article, we wanted to focus on: a irrigation contractor.

A Florida Irrigation contractor maintains, repairs, alters, extends, manages, monitors, audits and designs irrigation systems, including excavation work. Irrigation systems including piping, fittings, sprinklers, drip irrigation products, valves, irrigation controllers, control wiring, water pumps, rain sensors, water conservation devices, water harvesting systems, irrigation main lines, utility alternative water supply distribution lines, and dedicated backflow prevention devices.

To become an irrigation contractor in the state of Florida, a person must take and pass two state certification exams. The Irrigation exam and the Business & Law exam. The Irrigation exam is an open-book test consisting of 80 questions and people are tested on the topics of: pre-construction, construction, maintenance and repair, scheduling and water conservation, rules, laws, and codes. The Business and Finance exam last 6.5 hours and is 120 questions. Topics on the test include: establishing the contracting business, managing administrative duties, managing trade operations, conducting accounting functions, managing HR, and complying with government regulations.

People can take classes to prepare and pass for the two exams. If a person does not take the exams, he or she cannot apply for a license.  In-person classes for these exams are not mandatory; there are also online classes. There are also a variety of books available that can prepare a person for these exams.

Thinking about getting a Florida contractor’s license? In irrigation? Or any other contracting specialty? Our team of professionals can help you. We work with our clients to help them get through the contracting process fast and easy. We do in-depth reviews of licenses packages to ensure everything is exactly right and everything is included. Contact us today. To learn more or start the process, click here or call 239-777-1028.

Florida and Georgia Annual Report filing time

On: By: admin

The annual report time has come and contractor business owners need to file this report before May 1. If a person or company files late in the state of Florida, there is a $400 late penalty that will be given.

The annual report lists important information about a business including: address, registered agent information, officer information and more. When doing this filing, a person also needs to pay the annual renewal fee; this keeps the company active for another whole year. The fee for a corporation is $150 while the fee for a LLC is $138.75.

Like stated above, this filing is necessary because it lets the Secretary of State know you want to keep your company active for another year. This is also the time for any updates you have to outdated or wrong information about your company.

If by the month of September you still do not file this annual report, the corporation or LLC will become administratively dissolved. You can however reinstate and you’ll be subject to any and all annual report payments missed in previous years. A business name is only held for one year.

In Georgia, the annual report filing fee is $50 for both corporations and LLCs. If you file after April 1, the fine is $25 for being late.

Have any questions about the annual report? Need assistance with the filing of the report? Whether you live in Florida or Georgia, we can help! We are a company who helps contractors get their Florida contractor licenses and their Georgia contractor licenses. We make the process easy and it goes by fast. We will help you with any question you may have. Contact us at 239-777-1028 or at support@licensesetc.com. If you want to learn more about or services or contact us online, visit our website here.