Category: Construction Related

THANKS FOR THE SEX GOVERNOR

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You’re treated like this!

Your License is less and less valuable. Let’s give college students a license without taking a technical exam. Because they can build on a piece of paper. I’ve seen graduates take 5 and 6 attempts to pass and now let’s just give it to them. FUCKING BRILLIANT! Call our Licensing Board and give them your thoughts. They don’t work for the people anymore.

Daniel Biggins, Executive Director
Division of Professions
Construction Industry Licensing Board (DOUCHE BAGS)
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0791

Telephone: 850.487.1395
Facsimile: 850.488.8040

On June 30, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis signed “The Occupational Freedom and Opportunity Act” (HB 1193) which eliminates unnecessary regulations and reduces barriers to entry for certain professions in Florida. Effective July 1, 2020, the bill provides the following changes:

  • The testing requirements for incoming contractors have changed.  Graduates with 3.0 or better GPA in building construction will now be exempt from the trade knowledge portion of the state licensing exam.  It appears that the intent is that prior graduates will benefit, as well as future graduates should they apply for new licenses.  Likewise, the provision applies to any type of license covered in Chapter 489 Part 1, Florida Statutes.  Those applicants who qualify for the exemption will so elect when applying for the exam and apply only to take only the business and finance portion of the test.
  • Finally, applicants with an active or recently active out-of-state license held for 10 years or more may apply for the same license in Florida. Division I and roofing endorsement/reciprocity applicants must complete a 2-hour course on the Florida Building Code which includes information on wind mitigation techniques.  If you hold the license in the business name, you will need to submit documentation from your home state agency indicating you were the test taker and qualifier.  Also, make sure to apply for a license at the same level as you currently hold and include documentation showing what scope of work is allowed with your current license.

changes to Chapter 455 and 489 Fl. Statutes

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Short summary of the key changes Chapter 455, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 489, Florida Statutes.

Florida DPBR
  • The DBPR and Construction Industry Licensing Board (along with every other Board managed by the DBPR are required to enter into reciprocity agreements with other states with similar licensing provisions
  • Contractors can no longer have their license suspended or revoked solely for defaulting on student loans
  • The contractual limit for casual, minor, or inconsequential work that does not require a license is raised to $2,500.00.
  • Licensed contractors no longer have to wait until they have a minimum amount of experience before sitting for another license exam. They still will have to achieve the minimum amount of experience before obtaining that license though.
  • Those licensed for 10 years in another state can apply for licensure by endorsement in Florida.
  • The continuing education requirements for electrical contractors are reduced.

Though these changes went into effect on July 1, 2020, it may take some time for the DBPR and other construction industry boards to implement them or for the changes.

Maintenance on a Florida Home

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Once you’ve purchased your Florida home there are several very important and new responsibilities you inherit. The maintenance of your Florida home should be a top priority. The correct Preventative maintenance can save you thousands of in-home repairs over the years. Here are several steps you should take on a monthly, bi-annual, and annual basis.

Monthly Checklist

Check the air filter in a/c and clean or replace it as necessary.
Vacuum air supply and air return register to remove dust.
Check fire extinguishers to ensure they are fully charged.
Clean disposal blades by grinding up ice cubes. Freshen with citrus fruit rinds and baking soda.
Check for cracks and separations in caulking around the following: sinks, bathtubs, toilets, faucets, countertops, backsplashes, ceramic tile walls, ceramic floors, window sills, and any other areas.
Clean or replace the dirty filters in the range hood fan.
Adjust sprinkler heads for proper coverage.

6-Month Checklist

  • Check exterior windows and doors caulking.
  • Inspect exterior paint surfaces, touch-up as needed.
  • Check screws on door locksets and hardware, tighten up.
  • Test and clean smoke detectors and change the batteries if needed.
  • Lubricate bi-fold and by-pass doors if necessary.
  • Clean sliding door tracks, apply silicone spray. (not oil)
  • oil moving parts of the garage door.
  • Check fire extinguishers to ensure they are fully charged.
  • Check electrical extension and appliance cords.
  • Visually inspect the roof from the ground for broken shingles.
  • Check and clean gutters and downspouts.
  • Have a contractor perform a seasonal check-up on your a/c.
  • Check water supply lines and valves for leaks.
  • Inspect windows and screens for their condition.

Annual Checklist

  • Repeat your six- month inspection and maintenance.
  • Check attic vents for insulation blockage.
  • Inspect inside the attic for signs of roof leaks.
  • Check cabinet drawers and hinges for proper alignment.
  • Have chimney professionally cleaned as necessary.
  • Remove water heater residue. Follow instructions in the plumbing section of your home maintenance manual.
  • Pressure clean roof tiles, pool deck, driveway, and walks.

Product Approval Application to the 7th Edition (2020) Florida Building Code

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Construction gets more EXCITING each and every year here in Florida… We’re Riding the Short Bus!

RE: Product Approval Application to the 7th Edition (2020) Florida Building Code – Will be accepted starting July 1, 2020

Fees – Application(s) fees will be waived between July 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 for all submittal including those for the 6thEdition (2017) Florida Building Code

This is to inform you that the 7th Edition (2020) Florida Building Code (FBC) is slated to go into effect December 31, 2020.  

Building permit applications submitted on or after that date should demonstrate compliance with the new code. Likewise, the Florida Building Commission (the Commission) and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) approved products will also have to demonstrate compliance with the new edition of the code by the effective date or risk being rejected by local building departments.

Starting July 1, 2020, the product approval application process for demonstrating compliance with the 7th Edition (202) Florida Building Code will commence and the updated Building Code Information System (BCIS)/Product Approval Module will be available to accept applications for compliance with new code.  In preparation for your submittal, please take notes of the following:

Please go on-line at www.floridabuilding.org to check the compliance status of your product(s) by comparing the code sections and standards listed on your approval to those found in the new code. The draft of the new code is available for review at the following link: 

https://codes.iccsafe.org/category/Florida?year[]=2020&page=1

If the code change has affected the compliance of your product, please submit a revision to reflect compliance with the appropriate section number(s) or standard(s) of the new code edition. Revisions have to be validated and approved by the Commission or (DBPR) as applicable. The current approved status of your product(s) will remain in effect during the revision process.  Once the revision is approved, your product will be assigned a “-R1” designation following the current FL number.  For example, if your current approval number is FL9876 and the first revision gets approved, the new approval number will be FL9876-R1.

If the code change has not affected the compliance of your product, you can use the “self-affirmation” process to attest to that effect. Before starting the self-affirmation process, please contact our office at (850) 487-1824 to make sure that your application can be self-affirmed. The self-affirmation process allows you to change the code version, but does not allow you to edit the application.   Please note that self-affirmation is not subject to the normal application review process and thus, if complete, the application gets approved within a few days.  In addition, as part of application for self-affirmation, if the evaluation report refers to the previous edition of the Code, the manufacturer of the approved product must submit a statement from an approved evaluation or validation entity confirming that the product complies with the subsequent code version via an attachment uploaded and submitted through the BCIS.

In order to allow for compliance with the new Code and at the same time continue the 2017 code as the searchable default code version in the Building Code Information System (BCIS), we will add a 2020 code version “Pre-2020” to the code version drop down.  This would allow products approved under the 2017 code to remain searchable. To search for 2020 code products, the code version must be manually changed to “Pre-2020”. 

Please feel free to contact our office at 850-487-1824 should you have any further questions or concerns regarding changes to your applications.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Building Codes and Standards Office
Mo Madani, Program Manager
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations
Building Codes and Standards
http://www.floridabuilding.org

Von Sow Carpenter Award

IMG_4387Yes, it’s the coveted “Von Sow Carpenter Award”. The contractor who gives the best video testimonial for us this year keeps the award for 1 year, and receives a listing on the “Page of Fame”. All you have to do is send me a video testimonial, I’ll post it on YouTube and the one with the most likes on Dec. 31, 2020, wins the award for the year!

Of course, you’ll be interviewed 

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