Tag: florida contractor tips

How Do I Get A Florida Contractor’s License?

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Are you looking to get your Florida contractor’s license? Great! We hope this blog article helps. In the state of Florida, you need your contractor’s license to practice legally. The Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board issues certified contractor’s licenses to:

Division 1: general, building, and residential
Division 2: Mechanical, roofing, plumbing, Air conditioning class A, Air conditioning class B, Pollutant storage systems, Dry wall specialty, Solar, Sheet metal, Underground utility and excavation, Tank lining applicator, Gas line specialty, Solar water heating specialty, Commercial pool/spa, Residential pool/spa, Pollutant storage systems, Glass and glazing specialty, Pool/spa Servicing, and specialty.

To get a Florida contractor’s license, an applicant must pass an exam. To qualify for the exam, a person must be at least 18 years old and has to meet at least one of the following bulleted items from the list below.

  • A person must have a four-year construction-related degree from an accredited college and one year related experience (that can be proven).
  • A person must have one year of experience as a foreman and no less than three years of credits for any accredited college-level courses.
  • A person must have one year experience as a workman, one year experience (proven) as a foreman, and two years of credits for any accredited college level courses.
  • A person must have two years of experience as a workman, one year experience as a foreman, and one year of credits for any accredited college level courses
  • A person must have four years of experience as a workman or foreman of which at least one year must have been as a foreman
  • A person must have hold an active certified or registered Florida contractor’s license.

If you need help applying for your Florida contractor’s license, we are here to help make the process fast and easy for you. Click here to get started on the process today, or call 239-777-1028.

All About a Home Inspector

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Ever thought about being a home inspector? It’s a great career path, and we wanted to share some basic info on the profession here for you. Home inspectors, in Florida, perform a visual inspection, followed by a written professional opinion of the state and condition of the home. It’s the inspector’s job to describe the current condition of the home at the time of the inspection; however, this doesn’t guarantee the condition of the home in the future.

During an inspection, a home inspector looks at the home’s structure, electrical system, HVAC system, roof covering, plumbing system, and site conditions. Whenever a house is on the market, potential buyers will request for a home inspection to be done. In Florida, more homes are being built all the time, which means the need for home inspectors continues to grow.

In order to get a Florida home inspector’s license, a person needs to pass the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE); this exam is given by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI). A person also has to complete a 120-hour pre-licensing course, submit to a criminal background check, have good moral character, have a $300,000 commercial general liability insurance policy, and submit an application with fee.

On average, a home inspector make $53,410 a year in Florida. The minimum education a home inspector needs is a high school degree, but many employers expect people to have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Between 2010 and 2020, the number of home inspector jobs is predicted to increase by 18 percent, which is 4 percent above the national average.

Looking to get your home inspector’s license? Or, just a contractor’s license in Florida? We can help! For the last 10 years, we have helped thousands of Florida contractors get their licenses. To contact us, click here. We will help make the process easy and stress free for you.

Handyman vs. Contractor

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Is there a difference between a handyman and a contractor? And can I call them to do the same thing? No, they are not the same. There are some projects a handyman is not licensed to do, such as plumbing or electrical work. If you need specialty work that requires a license, you will need to hire a contractor. When someone works on your home and isn’t license, you could be liable financially.

Although there is a “handyman license,” also known as a maintenance license,  it only allows for a person to do certain odd jobs, but those jobs are very limited. There is no such “one” license that will allow people to fix holes in drywall, repair leaky faucets and pipes, paint walls, replace doors, install lights, patch up roofs, install screens, fix toilets, etc. In order to do all of this work, a person would need many licenses.

If you’re looking to patch a roof, you’d get a roofing license. To fix pipes, you would need a plumbing license. To install lights, a person needs an electrical license. There is a license for all trades whether it’s given by the county or state.

A “handyman license” differs from county to county in what it allows people to do. If you’re looking to obtain a handyman license in Collier County, Florida, this is what the license allows you to do.

  • You can assemble exercise equipment, toys, furniture, gas grills
  • Change light bulbs
  • Clean and change ceiling fan blades
  • Clean garages and gutters
  • Hang pictures
  • Mow lawns
  • Wash windows
  • Move furniture
  • Pressure clean driveways and walkways
  • Replace and repair door handles, caulking, and screens
  • Lawn edging
  • Residential and/or commercial cleaning
  • Install garage organizers

If you’re looking to obtain a handyman license, make sure it covers what you want to be able to do. If you think the work you want do get requires a contractor license, we can help you work toward getting that license. If you have any questions about any type of license, give us a call. We help people get their contractor licenses fast. Click here to contact us.

What is a Gypsum Drywall Contractor?

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If you’re thinking about going into the field of contracting, there are many specialties to choose from. For this post, we wanted to focus on one specific genre of contracting: Gypsum drywall specialty. A gypsum drywall contractor is a specialty contractor. In the state of Florida, a specialty contractor is a person whose work is limited to a particular part of construction.

 

As a gypsum drywall contractor, the scope of work is limited to the installation of metal accessories (studs, runners, hangers, channels, drywall metal suspension accessories, and prefabricated ceiling materials). This contractor also prepares the surface over which drywall is to be applied, which includes applying base and finishing coats. This doesn’t include plastering, block and/or wood partitions.

 

To become a gypsum drywall contractor in Florida, a person must:

 

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Must pass the stat certifications of drywall, business, and finance
  • Four years of a construction related degree and one year proven experience; or one year experience as a foreman and no less than three years of credits from a college; or one year experience as a worker, one year as a foreman and two years credits from a college; or two years’ experiences as a worker, one year as a foreman, and one year of credits from a college; or four years’ experience as a worker or forman, atleast one year must have been a foreman.
  • Have a background check.
  • Take the gypsum drywall exam which is an open-book test with 80 questions.
  • Take the business and finance exam which lasts 6.5 hours and contains 120 questions.

On average, a drywall contractor earns $44,000 per year.

 

Think this sounds like the right career path for you? You can make this dream of being a Florida gypsum drywall contractor a reality with your Florida contractor’s license. Let us help you get it fast and easy. For more information, click here. We are a company who helps contractors get their licenses.

 

 

What is a Gas Line Specialty Contractor?

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Contracting is a huge industry with many specialties to choose from. If you enjoy the field of construction, there is bound to be a specialty that will spark your interest. For this post, we wanted to focus on one specialty: gas line specialty. As a gas line specialty contractor, a person can install, modify, alter, test, repair and maintain natural gas transmission systems, and natural gas distribution systems. This is a specialty contractor position.

Many plumbers are considered natural gas plumbers because they are licensed to work on or install natural gas lines. If a plumber has a master plumbing license, this shows the plumber has a lot of experience and all the right qualifications for the job. With a gas specialty license, contractors can help people build a built-in grill or a natural gas fireplace in their home.

These type of contractors are also known as pipefitters; they install pipes that provide natural gas to heating and cooling systems, as well as stoves. They also install and repair pipes in power plants.

Gas can be a dangerous element to work with so contractors are held accountable to strict safety standards.  These contractors/plumbers work in factories, homes, businesses, and wherever there are pipes or septic systems.

To be this type of contractor, a person need a high school diploma at minimum and an apprenticeship.

On average, a contractor with a gas line specialty can make around $50,000 per year.  The job outlook for these workers is expected to grow 12 percent from 2014 to 2024. With more construction, there will be a bigger need for plumbers and gas line specialists to properly install gas lines.

Unfortunately, these positions have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses due to the tools and pipes they work with. These jobs require a lot of night and weekend work, as well; they are called for emergencies and overtime often.

Looking to get your gas line specialty license? Let us help you. We make it a simple and stress-free process with no application or lengthy forms for you to fill out. Call us today! Click here to start the process.

What is a Demolition Contractor?

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Thinking of a job in contracting? How about a career as a demolition contractor? As a demolition contractor, you can work on and be involved in the demolition of buildings, structures or sites, these could be residential or commercial. A demolition contractor removes parts of a building or structure from a property. In order to hold this position in the state of Florida, you need a specialty contractor’s license. The license is “Certified Building Demolition Specialty Contractor.”

Demolition uses hydraulic equipment (with cranes, wrecking balls, explosives, loaders) to demolish a building or structure. This field is very regulated because demolition contractors often work on structures that have been damaged by fire, weather, or have structure deficiencies. The healthy and safety standards are strong and high in this field.

The average salary for a demolition contractor is $46,474.

After passing Florida’s state certification exam, a person who wants a license as a certified contractor needs to complete the license application form. You must obtain the license within four years of receiving your exam score.

This license was added in the state of Florida so people could be licensed for work on steel tanks 50 feet or less in height, towers 50 feet or less in height, structures 50 feet or less in height.  In short, this license allows a person to demolish any residential or commercial structure under four stories. If the person needs to do work that requires demolishing a building that is more than four stories, you need a certified general contractor license.

Previously to this license being added in the state of Florida, a Division 1 License (CRC, CBC, or CGC) would have to have been acquired for the demolition to occur. In 2012, a bill was passed that amended the definition of contractor in the Florida Statues. The definition changed from demolishing only certain building to demolishing all buildings regardless of height or number of stories.

Get Your Florida Contractor’s License

Looking for a contracting job? Or a job in demolition? We can help you get your contractor’s license. We take pride in getting contractors their licenses fast and easy. To learn more and to get started, click here.

What is a Drywall Contractor?

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Thinking about a job in contracting? How about a job as a dry wall contractor. Drywall contractors do the installation and repairs of dry wall in buildings and homes. Drywall is also known as gypsum, wall board, and sheetrock. Drywall contractors work will other contractors and homeowners and business or building owners.

In order to be a drywall contractor, a high school diploma or GED is at least required. People can enter into a drywall apprenticeship program where they will get on-the-job training and classroom instruction that pays them. This program can run from two to four years. Another way to become a drywall contractor is to work for an experienced drywaller, and train with them for up to a year. As time goes on, the person will rise in rank and take on more and more responsibilities.

To become a drywaller, you will need a contractor license. The type of license a drywaller needs varies from state to state. Some states require a general contractor’s license and other states require a specialty license. In order to get the license, a person must have the correct amount of work experience and pass an examination about drywalling and business operations. Some states also require a person to have a college degree related to construction or a minimum amount of college credits. It’s important to find out what the state you work in requires so you will be working legally.

This job is hard, as it is physically demanding; a drywaller has to stand, bend, climb, and lift heavy objects often. On average, objects can weigh 50 to 100 pounds so physical strength and stamina is necessary.

A drywaller can work independently or work with a crew of drywallers. As a business owner (and a drywaller) a business license is needed to practice. Also, many states require drywall contractors to have liabirty and workers’ compensation insurance.

Get a Florida Contractor’s License

Looking to get a Florida Contractor’s License or other state contractor’s license? Look no further! Our team here can help. We specialize in helping our clients get their contractor’s fast, and we make the process so easy. To start the process, click here or call 239-777-1028.

What is a Pollutant Storage Contractor?

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Contracting is a very lucrative career. A career in contracting has many specialties for a person to choose from. Through training and apprenticeships, a person generally can find their niche in such a large field. For this article, we will focus on a pollutant storage contractor. After reading the details of this occupation, you may have a better idea if this is the right type of contracting work for you.

To become a pollutant storage contractor in the state of Florida, a person must:

  • Be at least 18
  • Have four years of experience in the trade with at least one year of supervisory work
  • Have a four-year construction-related degreed from an accredited college and one year related experience.
  • One year as a foreman and not less than three years of credits from accredited college level courses.
  • One year as a workman, one year experience as a foreman, two years of credits from accredited college courses.
  • Two years as a workman, one year as a foreman, 1 year of any college level courses.
  • Three years of college credit can substitute experience.

Pollutant storage contractors install, maintain, alter, extend, and design pollutant storage tanks. Pollutant storage contractors has knowledge and expertise in pre-installation and site preparation, material handling, excavation, tank installation, leak detection, tank removal, piping, and many other topics within this field. The state of Florida requires 14 hours of board-approved continuing education every two years before the licenses renewal period for certified and registered contractors.

This job is very hands on and requires a lot of physical work. If you think you’d be up for the challenge, try out an apprenticeship with a pollutant storage installation contractor or take a class or two to help you decide. Once you are ready to get your Florida contractor’s license, let us help you. Contractor licensing applications can be tricky and complicated, so just give us all your information and we will do all the hard work for you. We help you get your license fast. To learn more about our services, click here or call 239-777-1028.

W-2 vs. 1099

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The business of W-2 forms and 1099 forms can be confusing. If things aren’t made clear, legal issues can ensue for a contractor or contractor applicant.  There is a difference between W-2 employment and a 1099 paid worker.

If you are being paid by a W-2, the employee is legally employed by the company, so he or she has taxes taken out of his or her pay. Most likely, a W-2 employee is also covered by a worker’s compensation insurance held by his or her employer. However, the previous items to not apply to a 1099 worker or independent contractor.

For employers, a W-2 employee can legally work under their license, since the employer is the license holder responsible for the job and work at hand. A 1099 independent contractor must have his or her own license, and carry his or her own worker’s compensation insurance. Whether a W-2 employee or a 1099 contractor, insurance and licenses must be held. If not, penalties and fines can occur to both the worker and employer. Employers should double check to make sure all workers and independent contractors have proper licenses and insurances before any work begins.

If you’re looking to get a Florida contractor’s license, the state accept experience towards the contractor’s license from a person working as a W-2 employee under a licensed contractor, who is properly insured. Any experience, even if it’s several years, cannot go towards the experience needed for a Florida contractor’s license, if the experience came from 1099 work.

Without proper knowledge, many employers and workers, unknowingly, violate the rules above.

If you’re looking to get you Florida Contractor’s license, let us help you. We have been helping people get their contractor’s licenses since 2007. 95 percent of our Florida contractors’ licensing packages get approved the first time. We make getting a license easy, and we do it fat. Click here or call 239-777-1028 to learn more or reach us.

What is the NASCLA Exam?

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If you’re a contractor, and want to be licensed in multiple states, we want to give you some on information on how to go about doing this. The NASCLA accredited examination (The National Association of State Contractor Licensing Agencies) hold the Commercial General Building Contractor exam in September 2009. The purpose of this exam is so a contractor does not have to take a trade exam every time he or she applies for a new license through a different state agency. This exam is considered very beneficial to contractors who want to be licensed across several states, because the regular trades exams can be redundant.

For the states that hold the NASCLA exam, it comes in two ways: administered or accepted. For those states that administer this exam, they will use it as their trade exam. Georgia is one of the starts, so if you want to apply for a contractor’s license in Georgia and take the trade exam, you thus have taken the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam. Because you have taken the NASCLA exam, you are now able to apply for another license in another state that accepts this exam. The state would then have the trade exam waived for you.

With states that accept this NASCLA exam, this means a person has taken the exam either through a proctored session or through a state that administers the NASCLA exam. Remember, the NASCLA exam only waives the trade portion of an exam, you’ll still be required to take the state’s business and law exam.

If you’re looking for more information on the NASCLA exam or you’re looking to take the exam or want to get your Florida contractor’s license, we are here to help. We are a contractor licensing company who is dedicated to getting contractors their licenses fast and easy. We do it all for you! Let us help you today! Contact our office at 239-777-1028 or click  .