Tag: how to get a contractor license

 

Looking to start a business? Well, you need good credit. In Florida, the Department of Business & Professional Regulation’s Construction Industry Licensing Board requires all applicants who want to become a state certified contractor to provide cred reports for themselves and their business entity. The credit reports need to indicate that local, state, and federal records have been searched. A person credit report needs to contain a FICO derived credit score.

 

In order to get a contractor’s license, you need a credit report, so the state can make a decision on your financial responsibility. In order to form a new business, you need a credit report on file.

 

As a Florida contractor licensing company, we are on the Department of Business & Professional Regulations list of approved credit reporting agencies. Our credit reports include:

• FICO Score
• A statement that Public Records have been searched at the Local, State and Federal Levels

 

Our credit reports, which are DBPR approved cost $50 per report.

 

To get your credit report, follow these steps:

1. Please click on the type/number of credit report(s) you need:

• Credit Report Request – 1 Personal
• Credit Report Request – 1 Business
• Credit Report Request – 1 Personal / 1 Business
• Credit Report Request – 1 Personal / 2 Business
• Credit Report Request – 2 Personal / 1 Business
• Credit Report Request – 2 Personal / 2 Business

 

2. Your reports will be completed within 48 hours.
3. We will email your credit reports to the email you provided.  Please print them out and include with your application to the DBPR.

 

If you have any questions about these credit reports or getting your contractor’s license, let us know. We are here to help you. We are a Florida contractor licensing company who will do the contractor application process for you.

 

We know what the Contractor Licensing Board is looking for in terms of requirements, experience, and deadlines. We are here to answer all your questions. To to get your Florida contractor’s licenses or other state license, click our Florida contractor’s license page or call us at 239-777-1028.

 

 

Owning a home is a 24-7 job. Unlike an apartment or condo, there is much for you to think about. From the plumbing to appliances, anything can go wrong at any time. Besides enjoying your home, the number one job you have in your home is to maintain it. Regular maintenance on your home can help you keep things from breaking. Small tasks throughout the year should be easy enough for you to handle, but bigger tasks, especially those that are seemingly dangerous, should be handled by professional contractors.

As a homeowner, what kind of jobs around the house can you do yourself without the help of a contractor?

• Change batteries in smoke detectors.
• Change out the HVAC filters.
• Clean the garbage disposal.
• Make sure your fire extinguisher is up-to-date.
• Test your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors.
• Check the water softener.
• Test your water heater pressure relief valve.
• Deep clean your house twice a year.
• Clean your gutters.
• Replace a broken part of an appliance.
• Change lightbulbs.

These are just a few maintenance things you can do throughout your home during the year to keep everything in good condition. However, if you need a bigger task done or a remodeling job, it’s time to call a contractor.  Want to rewire your basement? Move where your fridge is in the kitchen? Install a new sink in the bathroom? Knock down a wall? You’re better off hiring a contractor who has an expertise working with wires, plumbing, and structures. You don’t want to electrocute yourself, fall, flood your home or compromise the structure of your home. Leave it to the professionals.

We are a Florida contractor licensing company, who have helped thousands of contractors get their licenses. When you hire a contractor, you’re hiring someone with expertise, experience, and education in their field.

If you want to get your contractor license or know someone who does, we’re here to help you make it happen. To get your Florida contractor’s license or other state license, click our Florida contractor’s license page or call us at 239-777-1028.

 

 

Love It or List It. Trading Spaces. Flip or Flop. People are obsessed with home-project shows. Every year, more people seem to be taking on more DIY projects for their homes, which is great! However, repairs and remodeling jobs can be a big undertaking time wise and financially. For example, if you’re looking to redo your kitchen, the average remodeling cost is $20,000. Most of the cost in a remodeling job is the labor. Labor can cost anywhere between $30 to $125 per hour.

Since labor costs are so high, many individuals have opted to do things themselves. However, not every project should be a DIY. If you have little to no experience with electrical or plumbing work, you may cause actually damage or problems to your room. Contractors are skilled professionals who are experienced in specific trades. They can do the jobs efficiently and effectively, and they likely will do a better job than you. Wouldn’t you rather your new kitchen looking flawless?

Electrical wiring, installing tile, plumbing, and carpentry may be too far out of your wheelhouse, but you could save costs by installing a carpet, insulating rooms, or painting. If you’re wondering whether you need a contractor or not, you need to figure out your skill set, how much money you have, and how much time you have.

Some jobs should never be DIY at home, including dangerous jobs like retiling the roof, working with gas, or rewiring the electrical wires in your home. If you are risking your life, you should probably leave it to a professional. If you need to do plumbing work, don’t risk flooding your home. Call a plumber who can properly install plumbing, so a leak will not occur. If you need a building permit, the job your home needs is likely too difficult and complicated for you.

Some jobs are simple repairs. Other jobs require skilled experience. No amount of Googling can help you get the same amount of experience as a licensed contractor. If you take on difficult home tasks and you make mistakes, you could end up costing yourself more than if you just hire a contractor in the first place.

Not only is it safer to hire a professional, but you’re guaranteed quality work and a beautiful finished product. You won’t be able to easily sell your home if your tile work is poorly laid out or if light switches don’t work, or there’s unexplainable leaks.

By working with a contractor, you may also get deals on supplies you couldn’t get on your own. You may also have access to materials or products a person could not access unless he or she was a contractor.

When deciding whether to go with a contractor or DIY, you need to think about cost, time, results, safety, and quality of work. List the pros and cons. Many homeowners decide to higher a contractor despite the higher costs because the pros outweigh the cons.

Looking to become a contractor? Then you can really do all your home repairs! Let’s get you started! We are a Florida contractor licensing company who will do the contractor application process for you regardless of what state you’re in.

To get your Florida contractor’s license or other state license, click our Florida contractor’s license page or call us at 239-777-1028.

 

Did you know that kitchens are the most popular room to renovate in the home? Getting your kitchen remodeled is exciting. It can change the entire look of your home and add great value to the home, as well. It can be fun choosing all the items for your kitchen, however, choosing a contractor can be a more stressful task.

You want to choose a contractor who is:

• Experienced
• Licensed
• Insured
• Has extensive experience working on kitchens
• Communicated effectively
• Understands your vision and wants and needs
• Who had great reviews and recommendations
• Who stays in budget

You can either find a contractor to redo your kitchen through friends and family, visit the Better Business Bureau’s website, or read online customer reviews. Try to find 3 or 4 contractors and get quotes from them. They will look at your kitchen and come up with an estimate. Don’t hire anyone who won’t give you a quote in writing. You will also want to ask the contractor how long the job will take. Don’t hire anyone with an unrealistic timeframe. Check on the contractor’s references to make sure they are quality professionals who deliver quality work. Make sure your contractor knows kitchens. If he/she doesn’t have experience redoing kitchens, don’t hire him.

After you choose a contractor, you will receive a contract that will map out the scope of the project, the cost, the materials, the timeframe, and other stipulations. Before signing the contract, make sure the contractor is licensed and insured and get a copy of this information.

Looking to get your own contractor’s license or know someone who wants to be a contractor? As a Florida contractor licensing company, we can help them get their license. We’ve been helping thousands of contractors get licensed for years. We know the ins and outs of the license application process, so your application will not be denied. You will be licensed in under a month!

To get your Florida contractor’s license or other state contractor license, click our Florida contractor’s license page or call us at 239-777-1028.

 

A kitchen is the most common room to be remodeled in the home. It’s also the most expensive. Kitchen are where the heart of the home is, so you want your kitchen looking great. After watching DIY shows on TV, you may get the urge to redo your kitchen on your own to save a buck, but a kitchen remodeling job can be quite the undertaking. If you have little to no experience with remodeling a home, a kitchen may not be the place to start.

In a kitchen, there’s a lot of electrical wiring and plumbing that are dangerous work. If you don’t have expertise in those fields, you could get seriously injured or destroy your home. Also, the kitchen has a lot of tile work. If you lay out tile in a messy fashion, it will look unprofessional and sloppy.

Write down the pros and cons of hiring a contractor to redo the kitchen. You’ll likely decide that the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to hiring a licensed, professional contractor.

When working with a contractor, you’ll want to ask him the following questions:

• Ask to see his/her contractor’s license. Unlicensed contractor work is illegal is most states. You want a legal contractor working on your home.
• Ask to see proof of insurance coverage, including liability insurance and worker’s compensation.
• Ask how long he/she has been a contractor?
• Ask him/her to show examples of his/her past work.
• Ask who they are affiliated with in the industry.
• Ask if he/she a kitchen specialist and not just a general contractor.
• Ask how long he/she has been in business.
• Ask how many kitchens he/she has remodeled.
• Ask for references.
• Ask if he/she provides warranty.
• Find out if he/she has ever declared bankruptcy.
• Ask about the team, and how many people will work on the project. o
• Ask if he/she has won any awards.
• Ask about communication throughout the project.
• Ask about the working hours and timeline.

Hiring a quality, licensed contractor is important. If you want to get your contractor license yourself or know someone who does, we’re here to help.

We are a Florida contractor licensing company who help contractors all over the country get their licenses. To get your Florida contractor’s license or other state license, click our Florida contractor’s license page or call us at 239-777-1028.

 

Are you looking for a contractor for a job in your home? You’ll want to hire a licensed contractor. Unlicensed contracting activity is illegal in Florida. You also want to find a contractor who has liability insurance and worker’s compensation in case of any accidents.

So, how do you find a licensed contractor? And, how do you know if they’re actually licensed? The Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) have partnered together to help Floridians be aware of who is a licensed contractor and who isn’t.

First, look up some contractors. Ask friends and family. Read reviews. Do your research – all before hiring a contractor. Check to see if the contractor has a BBB Accredited Business Seal – this means they are licensed and have been vetted by the BBB. You can verify a contractor’s license on www.myfloridalicense.com, by calling 850-487-1395 or by downloading the DBPR mobile app.

The BBB can also tell you how to find a licensed contractor. Visit https://www.bbb.org/florida-licensing-resource-page/ to get information and resources from the BBB.

 

If you hire an unlicensed contractor, you may run into a lot of problems. Sure, maybe they were cheaper, but they also can-do things wrong or unsafely. You want your house built/fixed correctly. A bad job can lead to more stress and financial burden on your end. If your unlicensed contractor doesn’t carry insurance, you may be found liable if an accident occurs on your property. If you see an unlicensed contractor working, report it to the DBPR.

If you’re looking to get your own contractor’s license or know someone who wants to be a contractor, we can help them get their license. We’ve been helping contractors get licensed for years. We know the ins and outs of the license application process, so your application will not be denied.

To get your Florida contractor’s license or other state contractor license, click our Florida contractor’s license page or call us at 239-777-1028.

 

Getting your contractor license can be easy when you work with a contractor licensing company. We do all the work for you! We make sure you have the right requirements and passed the right exams and meet all the deadlines. When applying for a contractor’s license, there’s a lot to know and remember. If you work with us, we’ve got you covered.

Even if you work with us, there’s a lot of questions you will have, and you should! We will answer all your questions every step of the way. However, we are asked certain questions frequently, so we thought we’d share some with you. These questions/answers will help you with information for the pre and post-license process.

Pre-License Questions:

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO GET MY WORKER’S COMP INSURANCE/EXEMPTION and GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE INTO PLACE?

Since Worker’s Compensation Exemptions are filed after the contractor license is issued, the state gives you up to 30 days after the issuance to have Worker’s Comp in place. General Liability should be in place for the contractor license to be issued.

IF MY CREDIT IS BAD, CAN I DESIGNATE A SEPARATE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE OFFICER?

The Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board does not allow the license holder to alleviate financial responsibility unless they are a secondary qualifier. The Construction Industry Licensing Board will allow for a license holder to alleviate their financial responsibility by designating a third party, but this does not alleviate the financial stability requirement of a public record search and bond if they do not meet a minimum score.

HOW MUCH MONEY DO I HAVE TO HAVE IN THE BANK TO APPLY FOR A LICENSE?

Construction licenses do not require a minimum net worth. The requirement is based on your credit.  Applicants with a FICO or BEACON score lower than 660 will require a financial stability bond.  A contractor license applicant must be free of unresolved liens/bankruptcies/judgments to be eligible for licensure. Electrical licenses do require minimums, including: The applicant must have a positive net worth; EC, EG, and EF licenses require a $10,000 net worth of the business entity if there is one; and all specialty electric licenses require $5,000 net worth of the business.

Post-License Questions:

CAN THE JOINT VENTURE BID A PROJECT PRIOR TO YOU BECOMING APPROVED AS A QUALIFYING AGENT?

Yes, but the joint venture must obtain approval of the Construction Industry Licensing Board’s Executive Director prior to submitting the bid on a construction project. The joint venture must provide the Executive Director a copy of the written joint venture agreement and a statement of authority signed by an officer of each company giving the proposed qualifying agent full authority to conduct the contracting business of the joint venture.

 

We hope these few questions help you, but we know you may have many more questions. We are happy to answer any and all questions asked! It’s our job to help you through the process and help you understand the steps to take to get you a license. If you need help with getting a Florida contractor’s license, contact us today. Call us at 239-777-1028 or click our Florida Contractor License page for more information.

 

 

Getting your contractor license can be easy when you work with a contractor licensing company. We do all the work for you! We make sure you have the right requirements and passed the right exams and meet all the deadlines. When applying for a contractor’s license, there’s a lot to know and remember. If you work with us, we’ve got you covered.

Even if you work with us, there’s a lot of questions you will have, and you should! We will answer all your questions every step of the way. However, we are asked certain questions frequently, so we thought we’d share some with you. These questions/answers will help you with information for the pre and post-license process.

Pre-License Questions:

I CURRENTLY HOLD AN ACTIVE CONTRACTOR’S LICENSE IN ANOTHER STATE, WILL THIS LICENSE BE ACCEPTED BY OR RECIPROCATE WITH FLORIDA?

The Construction Industry Licensing Board does not have a reciprocal agreement with any other state, but applicable out-of-state work history will work toward your experience requirements. The Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board will allow reciprocation for the Unlimited License with North Carolina, California, and Georgia. (Restrictions do apply).

DO I HAVE TO HAVE MY EMPLOYER SIGN OFF?

For Construction Licenses, no one needs to sign. For Electrical Licenses, if the individual won’t or can’t sign, then notarized letters and project details are able to be submitted in its place.

DO YOU GET A COPY OF MY BACKGROUND CHECK?

No, we don’t have direct access to your background records. They are only made available to the Construction Industry Licensing Board; however, there are sources for obtaining your background history, especially if you’re unsure if something is in the report. If the incident in question was in Florida, you can purchase a report from FDLE (approx. $25), or if it’s outside Florida, you can obtain a full FBI background report (approx. $50).

Post-License Questions:

MY CREDIT SCORE IS NOW ABOVE THE 660 REQUIREMENT, CAN I LET GO OF MY BOND?

If a new report that meets the state’s requirement of 660 or higher is available, you can submit that to the state and the bond will not need to be renewed.

 

IF I QUALIFY A COMPANY AND IT HAS A FICTITIOUS NAME, DOES MY LICENSE AUTOMATICALLY EXTEND TO THE DBA?

No, you must license the Fictitious Name separately from the owner

 

Need help getting a Florida contractor’s license? Get started with us today! We also help people in other states get their licenses, as well. Whether you’re getting a new license, upgrading your license, or renewing your license, we can help you.

Ask us questions, by contacting us at 239-777-1028 or by clicking our Florida Contractor License page for more information.

 

 

If you’re looking to get your Florida contractor’s license, you probably have a lot of questions. Our job as a Florida contractor licensing company is to help contractors get their licenses. The process can be complicated. There’s a lot of deadlines to remember and information to have in order. It can be easy to forget something.

We understand the stress the process can bring, so our team wanted to share with you some frequently asked questions (FAQ) that we get asked often. These questions/answers will help you with information for the pre and post-license process.

Pre-License Questions:

HOW LONG ARE MY CONTRACTOR TEST SCORES VALID?

For construction licenses, test scores are valid for four years. For electrical licenses, test scores are valid for two years.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A REGISTERED AND A CERTIFIED CONTRACTOR’S LICENSE?

A “certified contractor” is a state-wide contractor licensed at the state level.  A “registered contractor” is a contractor who has a county license (or multiple) who then has to register that license with the state because it was a major trade. Registered contractors can only work in the county in which they have a competency card.

CAN I USE OUT-OF-STATE / OUT-OF-COUNTRY EXPERIENCE?

Yes, if it was legal experience that meets the experience requirements. When it comes to contractor’s licenses, experience is valid no matter where it occurred, because experience is extremely important.

 

IF I HAVE A TROUBLED PAST, CAN I STILL GET A CONTRACTOR’S LICENSE?

It depends. The severity, the number of incidences, and timeline of the incidences will be taken into account. Talk to our team members to get more information on this.

 

Post-License Questions:

HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO RENEW MY LICENSE AND/OR COMPLETE CONTINUING EDUCATION?

In the state of Florida, a certified contractor needs to complete 14 hours of board-approved continuing education every two years by August 31 of an even-numbered year. For registered contractors, they need to renew in odd-numbered years.

CAN I QUALIFY A JOINT VENTURE WITH MY EXISTING LICENSE?

No, you would have to apply to qualify the joint venture just like you would any other business.

DO I NEED TO UPDATE THE BOARD IF OWNERSHIP OR OFFICERS CHANGE?

No, the only time this information is provided or updated to the board is when you’re submitting an application.

 

If you’re looking to get your Florida contractor’s license, renew your license, or upgrade your license, we can help!  Ask us anything! We are happy to help! Contact us at 239-777-1028 or click our Florida Contractor License page or more information.