Tag: florida contractors license

Contractor Products Worth Checking Out

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If you’re a construction contractor, you want to be on top of the latest construction products on the market. New products can help you do work faster, more efficiently, and have clients know you’re on top of the latest and greatest thing in the field. New products show that you’re a forward thinker. Below, we wanted to share some new construction products out there that you may be interested in purchasing for your contracting business.

Cat and NoteVault – Cat and Notevault came together to increase productivity by combining smartphones and technology. All purchases of Cat smartphones will come with 4 months of a Notevault account for free.

Airhome – Airhome is an in-room audio feature for a client’s home or commercial building. Airhome is a multi-room, built-in home audio system that operates on Wi-Fi. This can work with in-wall or in-ceiling speaker so the home will not have a cluttered effect with boxy speakers laying around or wires everywhere.

Houdini glass – Bendheim Wall Systems is offering this specialty architectural glass; it allows both privacy and daylight. It is translucent, u-shaped, and machine rolled.

Surface armor – Urban Armor has created a case that protects devices while being slim, form-fitting and hard and protective all at the same time.

Concept – Concept by US is a Powerstation, This is a new turnkey, solar energy storage system that gives steady, reliable energy to off-grid people in daylight and nighttime.

Scala – Scala Architectural and Engineering Scale is a new app that gives a new way to measure printed drawings anywhere. It includes standard imperial architectural, metric architectural and engineering scales.

Qvarn – Qvarn offers open source identity management software that helps an organization manage a secure database of workers’ data; this system helps protect personal and private identification of the workers.

The contracting industry is constantly improving with new technology. If you are looking to get your Florida contractor’s license and are looking to get into this industry, contact us today and let us help you. We are a contractor licensing company in Florida. Click here or call 239-777-1028 to contact us today.

 

GEORGIA ANNUAL REGISTRATION SEASON IS OPEN

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Georgia’s annual registration season for 2017 is from January 1 to April 1 2017. If your annual registration and payment are not postmarked by April 1, you will be fined a $25 filing penalty fee.

This website allows you to file your annual registration without a username and password on the website The Express Annual Registration section allows you to make changes to your entity. The One Click Annual Registration section allows you to pay the annual registration quickly if there are no changes to the entity.

You can file your annual registration with or without making changes after logging into eCorp.sos.ga.gov Annual registration fees are: $50 for profit corporations, LLCs, and LPs; $30 for nonprofit corporations; and $25 for foreign LLPs. If the amount listed for your entity is larger than expected, then the total reflects amounts due from previous years and any late fees.

To keep your entity in “good standing” with the Office of Secretary of State, you should file your annual registration online with a credit card.  You can also file by mail and require a printed annual registration form and payment with a check, certified bank check or money order. Feels can be mailed with your completed annual registration form to: Office of Secretary of State, Annual Registration Filings, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., 313 West Tower, Atlanta, GA 30334.

A paper registration form can be printed from here https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov. All checks must be pre-printed with a complete address in order to be accepted. Cash is not accepted.

Any person authorized by the entity may sign and file an annual registration.

The Corporations Division of the Office of the Secretary of State created a how-to guide to help people through the annual registration process. The guide is here: http://sos.ga.gov/Corporations.

For more help, reach out to the Corporations Division of the Office of the Secretary of State  at corporationswebmail@sos.ga.gov, at 404-656-2817 or toll-free at 844-753-7825.

If you’re looking for help getting a Georgia Contractor’s License or a Florida Contractor’s Licenses, our team can help you with the process. Click here or call 239-777-1028 to contact us.

 

Make Sure You’re Covered with Worker’s Compensation Insurance

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Workplace accidents happen. This is why it is important for a contractor to have general liability and worker’s compensation insurance (that is updated and sufficient), especially when on a job site. Florida’s insurance coverage requirements are always in effect for active licenses, regardless if there is a current project going on or not.

When you get your Florida contractor’s license, the state gives licensees a 30-day period from when your license was issues to get worker’s compensation insurance or an exemption. Exemptions are used when a licensed contractor has no employees. However, when it comes to general liability insurance coverage, Florida contractor licensees must obtain the minimum coverage immediately. Whether you plan to work a job immediately or not, you still need to get coverage right away to avoid fines and penalities.

If you move places of employment or ceased the operation of a company, you need to take the proper steps to deactivate the license or move it to a new entity. As long as your license is in an active status, you are required to be properly insured, so make sure your status is inactive if you plan on not working.

Just a reminder: insurance is required to pull permits, so remember to keep your coverages updated and make sure you are covered in all ways you’re legally supposed to be.

If you have any questions about worker’s compensation insurance, exemptions, or general liability insurance for Florida contractors, we can help you. We can also help give you an insurance referral. If you’re looking to get a Florida contractor’s license, we can help you start the process today. We make the process easy and quick. We do all the heavy lifting for you! We know how to properly fill out forms and file to ensure your application will go through and not get denied. Contact us by clicking here or calling 239-777-1028.

What is a specialty structure contractor?

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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.

 

What is a Residential Contractor?

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Ever thought of a career in contracting? Like building things? Working with your hands? Thinking critically? Solving problems? If you said yes to all of these things, you may want to look into being a contractor. A contractor is a rewarding career. You get to work on a project and see the fruits of your labor. Hard work pays off in this industry. Plus, you’ll most likely stay in great physical shape because of it. There are also a number of different specialties in the contracting community. One of the biggest contracting specialties is a residential contractor. A residential contractor must obtain a license in the state of Florida to work.

What does a residential contractor do? A residential contractor constructs, remodels, repairs or improves homes (single, two-family, three-family etc) that do not go above two stories. If you want to work on buildings more than three stories, you must get another license, a Florida building contractor’s license. Or, if you want less restrictions on what t=you can build or work on, a general contractor’s license would be your best bet.

Before getting a license, a person must take three different exams: the Residential Contract Administration exam; the Residential Project Management Exam; and the Business and Finance Exam. The Residential Contract Administration Exam is 45 questions long, open book and lasts 4 hours and 45 minutes. The subjects on the exam include: pre-construction activities, project contracts, obtaining licenses, permits and approvals, construction procedures and operations. The Residential Project Management Exam is 60 questions, open book and lasts 4 hours and 45 minutes. Subjects in the test include: construction methods, materials, tools, equipment, safety, reading plans and specifications. The Business and Finance Exam is 120 questions is 6 hours and 30 minutes. Subjects on this test include: establishing contracting business, managing admin duties, managing trade operations, conducting accounting functions, managing human resources, and complying with government regulations.

If you have taken the exams and are ready to apply for a Florida contractor’s license, let us help you. The process can be confusing, and often times, people fail to get their license if things are missing or filled out incorrectly. We are an experienced team of professionals who have helped thousands of people get their contractor’s license. Click here to get your license process started today or call 239-777-1028.

What is an Irrigation Contractor?

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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.

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.

Change in Administrative Code

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This blog’s intention is to provide contractors information, news, and tips about the profession of contracting. With that said, we wanted to share an update within the industry. Last year, in 2016, the Construction Industry Licensing Board was working on amending a part of the administrative code that details qualifications for contractor licensure. Back in November 2016, the Board presented a final version of this amendment and it went into effect January 5, 2017.

What has changed?

They took out wording that used to state that the applicant needed to provide affidavits from Florida state certified contractor, architect, engineer, or building official. This was eliminated in 2012. Now, any applicant has to provide details of their experience and sign an affirmation page on the application.

Out-of-state experience is now acceptable, but it has to be documented that the applicant was working legally under a licensed contractor. Any “exempted” work will still not be accepted.

Major structural remodeling work is now accepted towards the experience requirement for Division 1 applicants. What does this mean? This means all of an applicant’s experience doesn’t have to be new construction from the get go. Experience can be nearly any habitable structure.

If you want to see the full, new administrative code, click here.  Click on the Qualification for Certification, effective 1.5.2017 section.

If you have any questions about the changes, we are more than happy to help. Looking to get your Florida contractor’s license? We can help. We are a team of professionals that work with contractors to help make the license process fast and easy. We have helped thousands of contractors get licenses and form new businesses. Our clients are usually licensed around 10 days from submission of their application. Let us help you! You won’t have to do much work at all. To get started, click here 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.

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.