Tag: how to renew a license

Read Up on the Latest Construction Trends

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Donuts. Cupcakes. Open concept homes. The color gray. Trends are a thing that happen in every industry out there, including the construction industry. It’s important for a contractor to keep up-to-date on the latest trends to not only keep up with the times, but to please, impress, and attract a clientele. Some trends stick, some go away fast, but regardless of their duration it’s good for a contractor business to be in the know of such trends. Being the end of 2017, we wanted to share with you some trends that have been emerging in the industry and will go into 2018.

 

  • Energy efficient wall systems. Commercial construction is starting to used insulating concrete blocks to be integrated into wall systems, which can improve energy efficiency in a building. They make the building stronger, better insulted, have better fire resistance, and reduces noise from the outside. This types of walls aren’t just better at conserving energy (and all the other reasons above), they also are easier to put up for contractors and don’t cost much. These types of walls also can be used in every region of the country.
  • Green design. Just like above, being efficient and “greener” is the way to go these days, especially since the world has started to see the negative effects of climate change. How can a contractor be more green in the things he or she does? Examples include: using recyclable or sustainable materials, improve air quality, better controls for lightings and temperature, more natural lightings, better insulation, etc.
  • Smart Glass. Again, just like the two trends above, this is also with the “green” trend. Smart glass is tinted/glazed in a way that improves energy efficiency. How? This glass can control glare, harsh light, and block heat from the sun’s rays. Smart glass is also known to reduce costs. Soon, people will be able to control smart glass electronically and dictate how much the glass is tinted or how much heat is should absorb. Really cool!

Right now, it seems green is the way to go in terms of trends in the construction world. As a company, it would be in your best interest to implement some of these items into your blueprints. Your clients will be excited and impressed that you offered these components into the design. These above trends not only help you keep up with other contractor businesses, but they truly help improve building design and help the environment.

 

Before you think of contractor trends, it’s important that you are legally licensed to practice contracting work. You don’t want to pay fines or get arrested. If you’re looking to get your Florida contractor’s license, we can help you get through the process fast. We are a Florida contractor licensing company. To get started on the process, click here or call us at 239-777-1028.

Facts About Hard Hats

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Even if you think a hard hat looks ridiculous, it’s essential. They didn’t create hard hats for nothing! Contractors have dangerous jobs, and they shouldn’t be removed because a person thinks he or she looks “silly” or that it’s too warm. A head injury can lead to a brain trauma or death. In fact, the year 2012 saw 1,020 die because of head injuries sustained on the job. Employers and managers need to enforce hardhat wearing since dangers are everywhere from falling objects to bumping one’s head.

Did you know different color hard hats mean/signify different things? For example, a manager wears a white hard hat. A visitor to a construction site wears a green hard hat. Electrical contractors often year yellow hard hats. White hard hats are also for people who work on highways. Red hard hats could be a first responder. Orange hats are for people who pick up litter. These colors can vary state to state. Often, hard hat colors are assigned so people can be easily identified by their job.

 

There are three industrial-level classes of hard hats. They include:

  • Class G – General Helmet: These hats provide protection against impact and object penetration. They have up to 2,200-volt protection.
  • Class E – Electrical Helmet – This hat can handle up to 20,000 volts. They also protect against impact and penetration from falling or flying objects.
  • Class C – Conductive Helmet: This helmet is comfortable and offers lightweight impact protection, but cannot protect against electrical hazards.

Did you know you should be caring for a hard hat? Yes! If you don’t properly take care of them, they can fail you, believe it or not. Hard hats should be inspected daily for cracks, perforations and deformities. If any are found, the hat should be tossed out and replaced. Do not put labels or holes into the hat, it may compromise its protectiveness. Don’t leave hats in sunlight, because the extreme heat can damage them.

 

If you’re looking for a Florida contractor’s license, you’ve come to the right place. We are a Florida contractor licensing company who helps contractors get their licenses so they can work legally. We also help people get their license in other states. If you’d like to start the contractor license process, click here or call 239-777-1028.

Considering a Job Site Camera?

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Job site safety is critical, especially when there’s thousands of dollars of equipment and tools laying around. Unfortunately, it even becomes more crucial after a job site theft occurs. Whether you just had a theft or are looking to prevent one, on site cameras at the job site are not only a great way to deter thieves, but they can also help notify you about an in-progress theft or help identify the people who are stealing your equipment.

 

When buying and installing a camera for the jobsite, you want to consider its purpose. If your focus is about time-lapses, then you’ll want to install a camera that can capture the entire job site in one single shot. With that said, you need to look for a place to place this camera. If you’re using the camera to monitor smaller things, you can place the camera closer. Or, you can install both types/distances if you’re curious about both.

 

In terms of the types of camera, a fixed-position camera can only view a single area viewing between 80 and 100 degrees. Meanwhile a PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera can move in any direction (360 degrees) and tilt up and down.

 

You’ll also want to choose a camera based on its zoom capabilities. Optical zoom cameras can be placed far away and capture distances while digital zoom cameras cannot.

 

Sometimes your camera preferences have to take a back seat to what your job site actually looks like. Certain camera may just not work with the distance or structures that are in the area. Depending on your site, one camera may do the trick, or you’ll need multiple cameras to capture different angles of the job site.

 

Choose a camera and program that you can easily figure out. You don’t want to be confused or overwhelmed by the software. Do your homework before even buying a camera. Figure out your budget. Figure out when you truly need video surveillance. Figure out what kind of reporting capabilities from the camera matter to you. Figure out how many updates and maintenance the cameras will need.

 

You may realize you don’t even need cameras in your job site. Maybe better security lighting? Or an alarm? Or better locks? Do some research and see if a camera is right for your site. If it is, it can be a tool to help keep your construction equipment safe.

 

Looking to get your Florida contractor’s license? Let us do the work for you! Just answer some questions and we do all the heavy lifting! We’ve helped thousands of people become licensed contractors. We are a Florida contractor licensing company. To start with us today, click here of call 239-777-1028.

 

Think About Starting Your Own Contractor Blog

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What comes to mind when you think of a contractor? Hard hats? Hammers? Utility belts? Construction sites? Heavy machinery? Ladders? How about a blog? Yup, that’s right – a blog. In this day and age, it can be very beneficial for a contractor to have a blog (only if you have the time for it though). Your workload and projects come before crafting articles for the internet.

 

Why a blog? Well, a blog can help a contractor get new business. By blogging regularly, over time, the blog can help generate business, and you won’t have to spend as much money in marketing your company in other ways.

 

What should your write about? Well, you can write, or you can vlog (video blog), or do both. Blog whatever way you feel comfortable with that you think will truly engage readers and bring in potential clients.

 

As a contractor, what should a blog discuss? Here are some ideas: answer frequently asked questions; describe your company; introduce team members; create a DIY or how-to video or tutorial; do product reviews; take video at a job site; share before/after photos.

 

Show in your blog posts or videos that you’re an expert in all things contracting. You want people to turn to you or think of you when they need to get a job done. Even if your blog is read from people far away, you’ll still gain visibility and popularity which will give your credibility with the search engines.

 

A blog can make you seem human and personal to viewers. People will want to work with you if they like what they read or see. This is your chance to let your personality and skills shines.

 

If you’re interested in becoming a contractor, you’ll need to get your Florida contractor’s license to practice legally. We can help. We are a Florida contractor licensing company. We do all the necessary paperwork and filing for you. Click here or call 239-777-1028 to start the process with us today.

Best Apps for a Construction Site

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Construction sites are filled with hustle and bustle – there’s always a lot going on. It can be a very demanding job managing all the moving parts of a site. Between workers and equipment, there’s a lot to keep track of. Thankfully, just like every other industry these days, the contractor world has plenty of mobile apps that can actually make life more efficient at a job site. Whether it’s a smartphone or a tablet, contractors are able to change the way they work as they begin to rely on mobile devices for help with tasks throughout the day. For this article, we wanted to focus on some apps that can help out contractors in a construction site.

 

iBlueprint –  ($.99) With this app, users can create and export custom blueprints right at their fingertips! The app will store all the blueprints in one place, safely in your phone. You won’t have to worry about misplacing them, accidently throwing them away, spilling things on them, etc.

 

Builder’s Helper ($14.99) – This is a construction calculator app, calculating simple equations to more difficult formulas dealing with square or cubic measurements. You can save these calculations and even print them out. This is a highly advanced app that is easy to use.

 

BIM 360 Field (FREE) – This app is field management software for 2D and 3D projects.

 

Procore – (FREE) This app allows people working on a job to share data including contact information, project photos, worker hours, to-do lists, and more. This app even can upload and share blueprints.

 

SmartBid – (FREE) This app allows the user to keep track of all subcontractor and vendor interactions like bid information, due dates, status updates, supply updates, measurements, and more. This info is synced to your phone or other device so you can view it even if the internet isn’t available.

 

Using apps is the way the construction world is going. These apps help make a construction site more organized, and a project flow easier. Technology changes and updates all the time, and that includes contractor technology through a mobile app. It’s better to get used to their mobile apps now, so you and your company will not behind the times (or other companies). You want to show your clients that you’re in the know.

 

Looking to get a Florida contractor’s license? As a Florida contractor licensing company, it is our job to help you get licensed, and we make the process stress-free and fast! To get started on getting your contrator’s license, click here or call 239-777-1028.

 

Ways to Stay Cool at a Job Site

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The heat is no fun to work in. That hot sun mixed with concrete and humidity – sounds like a recipe for disaster. Unfortunately for those contractors in the Sunshine State, there is rarely a break from the hot weather. Even Florida’s cooler days are extremely hot for workers to spend hours working in. Contractors wear heavy clothing and equipment which can make them even hotter. Hot temperatures combined with strenuous activity could potentially lead to head exhaustion or heat stroke, which can be extremely scary, but also force the worker to be out of work for a bit while he or she recovers. In fact, since 2003, 30 workers have died each year on the job due to heat stroke.

Below, we wanted to share with you some items and ways to keep cool at the work site, so you won’t experience dizzy spells or get sick from those hot days on the job.

  • If you’re at a job site, try and have a trailer with AC for workers to come to throughout the day for breaks and to reset before heading back out on the job.
  • Wear sweatbands. These products will help absorb the sweat and keep you from sweating all over the place.
  • Keep hydrated, which may be the most important thing any person can do to keep heat-related illnesses away. Workers should aim to drink 8 ounces every 15 minutes on hot days.
  • Like sweatbands, there are also products that provide a cooling effect through evaporation. The company Grainger makes a lot of these products. They make headbands, wristbands, vests, and neckbands that can be used over and over again. They provide around 10 hours of cooling.
  • Purchase hard hats with wider brims to block the sun from hitting more spots on your body and eyes.
  • Shift the work day to reflect the temperatures. In the summer, it’s best to start earlier in the morning when the air is still cool.
  • Try to provide or make ways for shade in the work site as spaces for rest and reprieve for the workers. Weather it’s a small tent or an umbrella, this will help keep workers cool during those scorching hot days.
  • Put on sunscreen to prevent burns.
  • Eat lighter meals so your body doesn’t have to work hard to break down heavy foods.
  • Splash cold water onto yourself throughout the day or a cold, damp towel on your neck.
  • Use fans (if you can).

Looking to become a Florida contractor? Or a contractor in any other state? We can help you through the license applicant process. You’ll give us information and we will pull everything together and file it properly and timely for you to get you licensed fast. To contact our Florida contractor licensing company, click here or call 239-777-1028.

Managing Your Inventory as a Contractor

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If you own your own contractor business or manage a lot within the company you work for, you may deal with site inventory. In this position, you take charge of the purchasing and managing of the inventory for the company in order for the company to complete current jobs and land new owns.

When you’re in charge of inventory, you have to be concerned with forecasting, purchasing orders, deliveries, stock levels, fill rates, back orders, and more. You may even have to provide inventory reports on a regular basis to a superior or owner of the company. This position, as you can probably gather, is extremely important.

Being in 2017, there’s a lot of technology out there now that can really help manage job site inventory better. If a job site’s inventory isn’t managed properly, it can cost the company a lot of money, or it can potentially make the company lose clients.

It’s important to keep track of every machine, tool, piece of equipment and other items on the job site. As you move from site to site, it’s always important to double check the equipment and numbers so the chance of loss or things missing gets lowered.

As you work on each job, you can also evaluate if your current inventory is sufficient enough for the types of jobs you’re taking on. Is there not enough equipment? Do you own unnecessary tools? You don’t want to pay for materials that you ultimately have no use for at the present time. As the inventory manager, as long as you keep up with inventory, your materials/tools/machines will accurately reflect the needs and demands of your company.

There are a few different inventory scanner apps (free and not-free) that can help you manage your job better. These apps include: Inventory Tracker, and Inventory Tracking Sheet with Barcoding.

Although the apps are handy and convenient, they’re not the most realiable or efficient. Bar codes and radio frequency identification (RFID), as well as scanner equipment and software, are the best choice to help you. Trusted vendors that produce these products include: ToolWatch, Purple Oak, and GAO RFID Inc. If you are a smaller company with a smaller budget, sticking to mobile apps will be a conservative choice. Scanners and RFID products cost money, but you also get support when using these products. Sometimes, phones can be used as scanners (headed this way) but they aren’t perfect yet; however, a phone scanner is cheaper solution than purchasing a scanner.

Thinking about becoming a contractor? You’ll need your license to practice legally in the state of Florida. We can help. We are a contractor licensing company. We will help you get your Florida contractor’s license fast and painlessly. To get started, click here or call 239-777-1028.

 

 

Electrical Contractor Shortage

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When it comes to electricians, 85,900 professionals will be needed to fill electrician jobs by 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The need for electricians will continue to rise, says BLS, in the next 10 years due to wiring needs in residences and businesses, along with construction booming. However, there seems to be a shortage of electricians at the time to fill in all these needed positions. If you’re looking to become an electrical contractor, now is the time! In the next decade, the job outlook has it growing at 14%. Apparently, employers, according to BLS, are also having a hard time finding qualified employees, so this is a field where you can easily jump into, once you’ve completed the proper training and licensure.

What does an electrical contractor/electrician do exactly? Well, he or she maintains and installs electrical systems in homes, businesses, and other buildings. They look at blueprints, deal with repairs, work with other types of contractors in order to complete their part of the job. The average salary for this occupation is $51,880.

If you like problem solving, fast-paced work that allows you to work with your hands and meet a lot of new people, this is the career for you.

If you want to hire a good electrician, it’s a good idea, as a contractor, to offer individuals additional training and certification, so they see a career path for themselves. Since so many companies will be in demand of electricians, companies need to truly offer electrical contractors something that other companies will not (newest technology, better wages, flexible work hours, job advancement).  These approaches will help employees stick around longer and choose one company over the other hundreds looking to fill electrical contractor positions.

Looking to become an electrical contractor? Now is the time! Let us help you. Learn more here about getting an electrical contractor’s license.  It’s imperative that you get licensed. Unlicensed work is illegal in the state of Florida, and customers will have less trust in you. As a Florida contractor licensing company, we want to help you get your license in such a fast-growing field. We will do all the heavy-lifting of the application process for you. To get started on this process, click here or call 239-777-1028.

 

 

 

 

 

DIY Work or a Contractor?

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In today’s world, DIY ( do it yourself) projects are all the rage. From home improvements to a child’s birthday celebration, people are creating, building, and crafting things all up on their own. Why? Well for one, DIY projects can, often times, be more affordable than hiring someone or buying things. Second, many people have fun doing projects themselves and feel a lot of pride when it’s a job well done. However, not every project out there should be a DIY. There’s just some projects that need true expertise, knowledge and skill, especially when it deals with home improvement.  When deciding whether to do a job yourself or hire a contractor, you should consider your skill level, how long the job will take, how much free time you have, and compare the costs.

There’s plenty of work to do with a home: repairs, remodeling, additions, etc. But when choosing what to hire a contractor for in your home, there’s plenty to keep in mind. First off, labor is a bulk (most often) of the cost to do a project. Many times the cost of the materials is cheap but the labor is what makes the bill so high. At this point, you’ll need to decide (labor-wise) what job can you afford to do the work and what job you can’t. Jobs like fixing a cabinet door or painting a room could be projects you take on yourself to avoid hefty bills.

More complicated home jobs such as plumbing, tiling, electrical work, should be left to professionals. Unless you or a loved one has experience doing these type of jobs before, it’s better they are done by a professional. If there are dangerous jobs (roofing, electrical work), jobs that could ruin your home, or required a permit, then leave it to the professionals. You don’t want to destroy your home or get in trouble with your city due to construction you started.

Some jobs around your home are just too specialized; a person with real training and certifications can handle the job easily, but you may fall short. You can also come across problems mid-project that you may not know how to handle, but a professional contractor would.

There’s a lot of things to think about when deciding on whether a job should be DIY or contractor work. Is the job a hassle? Is It costly? It is time consuming? Is it a dangerous job? Do I need a permit? Ultimately, the decision is up to you based on your experience, needs, wants, time, and finances.

Looking to become a licensed contractor? Maybe you love DIY work so much that you want to take it to the next level? We can help you get licensed. We are a Florida contractor licensing company. We can help you create and submit a licensing application. To get started, click here or call us at 239-777-1028.

How to keep Your Construction Site Safe

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Did you know that construction equipment theft is a really big problem? Unfortunately, it is. Contractors truly have to concern themselves with this issue. Construction zones and project areas are known to be high-risk targets for theft. In fact, according to the National Equipment Register (NER), only about 25% max of all stolen items are ever found. The average loss of stolen equipment is $46,273. However, the national amount that is stolen each year is between $300 million and #1 billion. That’s a lot!

Is it inevitable that your construction work zone will get robbed? Not necessarily. There’s plenty you can do to protect yourself and equipment as best as possible. However, nothing is fail proof, and you cannot guarantee your equipment’s safety, but you can raise your chances of remaining theft-free.

As a Florida contractor licensing company, we understand the importance of this equipment and it can truly make/break a business if thousands of dollars worth of things go missing. We wanted to share with you a few ideas and tips of things you can do and incorporate in your construction site to protect your equipment.

  • Make sure your equipment is always secured and locked before leaving the site for the day.
  • If you have smaller tools and equipment, store them in a locker/shed/bring them back to an office, so they won’t be out in the open and easy to grab.
  • Surround the work site with a chain-link fence/barb wire to keep out unwanted intruders.
  • Opt for a video surveillance/alarm system if you’re working a big job with expensive equipment.
  • Put up signs telling people that the area is under video surveillance.
  • Manage, monitor, and be restrictive about who has access to keys, codes, and combinations to access work sites.
  • Install security lighting. It’s harder for intruders to get away with theft if they can be easily seen.
  • Always keep an up-to-date log of inventory, so you will know exactly when something is missing.
  • Look for technologies and apps that help improve your security and safety. For example, keyless ignitions and personal ID numbers to gain access to something.

You want to deter thieves from entering your work site. You want to make it look hard for them to steal anything, so that they won’t even bother. Stolen equipment is a headache. You will lose money and it could slow down your project completely. Think about incorporating some of the key tips above to help protect your construction assets.

Are you interested in a career in contracting? Let us help you get your Florida contractor’s license. We are a Florida contractor licensing company who has helped thousands of people get licensed. We do all the work for you. You’ll be licensed in no time! Click our Florida contractor’s license contact page or call us at 239-777-1028 to get started with us today.