Tag: how to renew a contractor license

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 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.

Florida and Georgia Annual Report filing time

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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.

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.

Unlicensed Contracting in Florida is Illegal

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In the state of Florida, it is illegal and a criminal offense to engage in contracting work without a contractor’s license. If a person is caught working without a license, he or she can face misdemeanor or felony charges.

In Florida, there are nine different ways to commit the crime of practicing unlicensed contracting. All a person needs is to do one of these nine things (and get caught with proof) to get a conviction. The nine ways are:

  1. Falsely saying he or he or their organization is licensed, when they are not.
  2. Pretending to be a certificate holder or registrant.
  3. Presenting someone else’s certificate or registrations.
  4. Giving false or forged evidence to the board.
  5. Use a certificate or registration that is suspended or revoked.
  6. Operating a contracting business after 60 days of termination
  7. Performing work that requires a building permit without the build permit being in effect.
  8. Disregarding or violating municipal or county ordinances related to uncertified/unregistered licenses.
  9. Advertising oneself or business as an available registered contractor.

In Florida, a certificate is a certificate of competency that is earned by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, while registration means registrations with the department in accordance with Florida statues.

For the most part, an unlicensed contracting charge is a first-degree misdemeanor, which has penalties of up to one year of probation or jail and a $1,000 fine. If this person has been convicted before or working without a license, they could be charged with a third-degree felony. This felony has penalties of up to five years in prison or probation and a $5,000 fine. There is also court-ordered restitution when the victim claims the work performed was sub-par and caused a loss of some sort.

If a person pleads guilty, they will have a permanent criminal record that can ruin their chance of obtaining a license in the future.

As you can see, obtaining a contractor’s license is important and necessary. If you’re looking to get your Florida contractor’s license, we can help. We specialize in getting our clients their licenses fast and easy. Click here to contact us.

What is an Iron Worker?

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Enjoy welding things? It might be time for you to consider a career as an iron worker. An ironworker is always taking on new challenges, works as part of a team, works outdoors, performs physically demanding work, performs mentally challenging work, and much more. Ironworkers install structural iron and steel that forms and supports buildings, bridges, and roads.

As an ironworker, a person will read and follow blueprints, unload and stack iron and steel onto slings, signal crane operators, use shears, use rod-bending machines, use welding equipment, align structural and reinforcing iron, weld equipment, connect iron and steel with bolts, wires, or welds.

In this field, ironworkers are often working at high heights. They often work in safety harnesses to prevent falls. Many ironworkers work in all kinds of weather. In this position, injuries and illnesses are common from people experiencing cuts from metal and equipment. Also each years, several people die due to falls and contact with equipment and objects.

Most ironworkers go through an apprenticeship, but many learn the career on the job. As of 2015, the average salary for an ironworker was $49,970. The job outlook for an ironworker is projected to grow nine percent from 2014 to 2024. Ironworkers made up 80,100 jobs in 2014. With more buildings and population increases occurring, there is a demand for ironworkers. Ironworkers are also often called upon to help restore and maintain bridges and other buildings.

Unless other contractors, ironworkers usually are not self-employed. To become an ironworker, a certification in welding, rigging and crane signaling can increase a person’s usefulness on the job. Depending on the state, you may need a general contractor’s license to legally conduct work.

Thinking about getting your contractor’s license? In the state of Florida, you’ll need to get a Florida contractor’s license to work; otherwise, you will be working illegally. Let us help you get your license no matter what specialty of contracting work you’d like to pursue. We do all the work for you. Start the process with us today by clicking here.

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.