Category: Construction Related

Watch how to become-a-contractor

The following examinations are now offered as Computer Based Testing:
Marine Contractors &  Glass /Glazing Contractor

These exam are given at multiple locations around the state and the Pearson Vue computer centers. They are given 5 days a week, in some areas 6. If you fail the exam you only have to wait 21 days to retake the exam! Soon more of the Construction Industry Exam will be available by Computer Based Testing (CBT)

Florida’s construction industry has taken one of the biggest hits through the Great Recession, but is starting to bounce back, as 4,200 construction jobs were added in September, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Local 6 in Orlando reports.

Data released from the state on Wednesday shows Florida’s housing industry is also improving, as more people are moving to Florida than leaving the state, with net in-migration nearly doubling from 2011 to 2012, the DEO reports.

Housing starts were up 18.5 percent in August, according to the latest data available.

The latest economic forecast by University of Central Florida economist Sean Snaith shows that Jacksonville’s construction industry is expected to grow by 9.2 percent in 2014 and 13.4 percent in 2015.

Jacksonville Business Journal

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) has extended the license renewal deadline for certified contractors and both certified and registered electrical contractors whose licenses will expire August 31, 2012. Applicable certified contractors and electrical contractors may now renew their license by midnight September 14, 2012. The extension is a result of the impact of Tropical Storm Isaac across the state.

The extension allows licensees to complete their continuing education requirements and renew their licenses until midnight on September 14, 2012, without having to pay a late fee. The emergency final order extending the renewal deadline is available online.

Senate Bill 704 was passed during the 2012 Legislative Session and was approved on April 6, 2012 amending the definition of “Contractor” set forth in section 489.105(3), Florida Statutes. Section 489.105(3), Florida Statutes, defines “Contractor” in pertinent part as:

A person who is qualified for, and is only responsible for, the project contracted for and means, except as exempted in this part, the person who, for compensation, undertakes to, submits a bid to, or does himself or herself or by others construct, repair, alter, remodel, add to, demolish, subtract from, or improve any building or structure, including related improvements to real estate, for others or for resale to others.

The bill amended the statutory language revising the term “demolish” to now include the demolition of all buildings or residence, regardless of height or number of stories. Previously, the term “demolish” only included demolition of buildings or residences that were over three stories tall. The bill became effective on July 1, 2012.

After July 1, 2012, any person or entity who wishes to contract for building or residence demolition must have an appropriate Division I contractors license or a local certificate of competency for demolition contracting issued by your local licensing authority. Demolition companies may continue to subcontract demolition work from a certified or registered contractor when the contractor is supervising all work, the work is within the scope of the supervisor’s license and provided that the person being supervised is not engaged in construction work which would require a license as a contractor under any of the categories listed in s. 489.105(3)(d)-(o).

Certification of Registered Contractor’s Licenses (Grandfathering) 
House Bill 897, which passed during the 2012 legislative session, was approved by Governor Rick Scott on May 4, 2012. This bill will re-open and extend the time period for contractors to request that their registered contractor’s license be grandfathered to a state wide certified contractor’s license. The time period requesting grandfathering of registered licenses has been extended until November 1, 2015. The re-opening of the grandfathering time period will take effect on October 1, 2012. Registered contractor may submit their application for grandfathering of their licenses beginning October 1, 2012.

Please see  Grandfathering FAQs  for more information.

All Florida Contractors need a website. But what exactly do we need on our website. It can get confusing with all of the gimmicks and new technologies. Here are three simple things that you MUST have on your website.

• Who are you?
• What are you offering me?
• How can I contact you?

Even if it’s just a static 1 page business card, that is more than most contractors have . But let’s look at more that just an online business card.

 Your Domain Name:

What are you going to call your website? If possible your business name is what most people choose. If not try to get something that is easy to spell and remember. When someone sees your web address on the side of your truck you want them to remember it.

Make it very specific. If you are a general contractor, what kind of work do you do? Industrial? Commercial? Residential? Do you specialize in new construction or remodels?

Make it obvious who you are and what you do.

Your phone number:

This may seem obvious but a lot of contractors simply make it too hard to find their phone number. A lot of times it is buried in a “contact us” page.

It is imperative that your phone number is visible on every single page of your website. It is best if you prominently display your number in the header of your website, right next to your name.

You should also add your phone number and contact info to the footer of your website. Don’t stop there, make sure it is at the bottom of every single post, blog or article that you have written. This is the one thing that you can’t have too much of. Put your phone number everywhere and make it visible.

Your Email Address:

Your email address should be simple, you@yourdomain.com. It shows professionalism and is used to promote your company. When you add your email to your business cards and jobsite signs it tells a customer that email is an acceptable form of communication with you, so remember to check your email daily.

Blog(s):

You will need a blog. It is a simple way to boost your search engine results and it helps you connect to your clients. It keeps your site updated with current information and lets people know that you interested and active in your business. Don’t skip this one. You can post hints, ideas, videos, or anything else that is useful information.

Testimonials:

You must have testimonials on your website. It there is one thing that I can’t stress enough, it is testimonials. Place them everywhere and make sure to get new testimonials from every client.

Online appointment scheduler:

This is my secret weapon. My website generated four times as many leads when I added this baby.

A lot of contractors have a “contact us” form. This is next to worthless. Prospective clients will not use this form because it is way to generic. They simply don’t know what to do with it. On the other hand, if you have a “schedule an appointment now” button, your clients will use it. A lot. Ideally this system will automatically book an estimate at a time of your clients choice. You can set up blocks of time that you are available and the system will let your client choose the best time.

Make a quick follow up call the day before the scheduled appointment to verify that you are still on.

The best thing about this system is that it automatically collects all of the clients info and adds it to your database. You now have a hot lead ready to enter into your marketing machine.

Petitioner (Robert Koning) asks the board (Florida Construction Industries License Board) whether home inspection services are within the scope of licensure of a Certified Division I contractor, provided the Division I contractor is not holding themselves out specifically as a home inspector

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The board hereby issues a declaratory statement that home inspection services as described in the petition are within the scope of licensure of a Certified Division I contractor, provided the Division I contractor is not holding themselves out specifically as a home inspector licensed under Chapter 468, Florida Statutes

LINK TO DECLARATORY STATEMENT

Board Increases Time Limit to Pass of All Examination Parts. 
The Construction Industry Licensing Board has amended Rule 61G4-16.009, Florida Administrative Code, to grant candidates more time to complete all portions of the initial licensure examination. Beginning November 1, 2011, examination candidates will be permitted four years from the date he or she initially sat for the initial licensure examination to pass all portions of the examination and will not be limited in the number of times they may re-take a test during the four year period.

House Bill 517 passed during the 2012 Legislative Session and was approved by Governor Rick Scott on April 6, 2012. This bill reduces the number of continuing education credits an inactive or delinquent contractor licensee must complete prior to reactivating his or her license. Effective July 1, 2012, an inactive or delinquent licensee will only need to complete the continuing education requirements for the renewal cycle immediately preceding license reactivation.