Florida Contractor News

A home inspector is responsible for assessing the condition of a structure or building. He or she can identify any issues that need to be corrected. Although you have the necessary training and license to do this job, what sets you apart from other inspectors?

In this article, we will talk about some of the factors that people look for when choosing a home inspector. Having a good reputation can help you attract more clients and increase the number of people who are interested in your services.

• Like stated before, reputation is key. People will ask friends and family for recommendations for inspectors.
• Your track record. People will read up on your experience, years in the business, and the numbers of inspections you’ve performed.
• People tend to look for a person with a broad knowledge of a home’s systems and structure, not just someone who just specializes in one category.
• People will check with the state to verify your license or to see if there have been any complaints about you put on record.
• They will be looking for an inspector who carries insurance.
• People want an inspector who will deliver a full and completed report with plenty of time to review it.
• People look for objective inspectors with no connection to a realtor.
• Price matters. People are willing to pay more for a better qualified inspector, since inspections are so crucial and important.
• Many people would like to see a sample report.
• People will read reviews about you online.
• People do care about the time It takes you to do the inspection. Anything under two hours may seem suspicious to them, because that shows your work isn’t very thorough.
• People want you to be very upfront with them. Let them know what you will be inspecting.
• People will want to attend the inspection. Saying “No” is seen by many as a red flag.
• Plan on being interviewed by the family, person, or business who is thinking about hiring you.

Haven’t gotten your home inspector license yet? Well, we can help with you that process. The process can be tricky with lots of things to gather and write up properly, but we have years of experience helping people get their home inspector’s license in Florida. To learn more or to get help getting your license, click here or call 239-777-1028.

It’s very important for contractors to ensure that their workers’ compensation and general liability insurance policies are up-to- date. However, most new licensees and veteran contractors fail to realize that the State’s insurance requirements for active licensees are always in effect regardless of whether they are currently engaged in projects.

Since there are so many requirements and forms to follow when it comes to operating as a licensed contractor, it can be easy for new applicants to overlook the insurance requirements. A 30-day grace period is provided for new licensees to obtain either an exemption or a worker’s comp insurance policy.

The minimum coverage requirements for general liability insurance are now in effect. Even if you don’t expect to start working immediately, it’s important that you have the proper coverage to avoid potential penalties and fines.

Another common mistake that contractors make is not following the proper steps to either activate their license or relocate to a new location. They may have stopped working and then moved to a different company, but they didn’t take the necessary steps to either inactivate or relocate. If they fail to do so, their license will still remain active until they voluntarily put it into inactive status. This means that they are still legally obligated to carry out their duties.

Although contractors are aware that they have to carry out permits, they should still ensure that they have the proper insurance coverage to avoid getting fined or penalized. If their license won’t be used for a long time, they should place it in inactive status.

If you have any questions about minimum requirements, worker’s compensation exemptions, or if you need an insurance referral, contact the team at Licenses, Etc. by clicking here or call 239-777-1028.

We at Licenses ETC are committed to helping people get their contractor’s license quickly and easily. We take pride in providing our customers with high-quality surveys and efficient services. Getting a license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation can be a complex process. In order to help ease the process, we’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions that can better guide and prepare you of what to expect.

FAQ

Pre-License

HOW LONG ARE MY TEST SCORES VALID?

For construction, it’s four years. For electrical, it’s two years.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A REGISTERED AND A CERTIFIED 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 had 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.

AM I ABLE TO USE OUT-OF-STATE / OUT-OF-COUNTRY EXPERIENCE?

When it comes to contractor’s licenses, experience is important and valid no matter where it occurred, as long as it was legal experience and the projects meet requirements.

I HAVE A TROUBLED PAST, CAN I STILL GET A LICENSE?

It depends on the severity and number of incidences and how recent these incidences are. Click the link below to contact us and learn more.

Post-License

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

In 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.

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. 

If you’re looking to get your Florida contractor’s license, renew your license, or upgrade your license, we can help! Contact us at 239-777-1028 or click here for more information.