The state last week added the New 2010 Energy Conservation Code the the certified exams of General, Building, and Residential Contractors. The Contractors Library has it and it sells for $20
The Construction Industry License Board will meet at:
Residence Inn Tallahassee
600 W. Gaines Street
Tallahassee, FL 32304
850.329.9080
Here is the meeting Agenda for those who wish to attend! Open to the public
Congress was able to pass legislation to keep broader middle class income taxes from rising. But workers will still have to pay at least 2% more in payroll taxes.
That’s because the government had temporarily lowered the social security payroll tax rate in 2011 to 4.2% from 6.2%, in an effort to keep more cash in the pockets of Americans and provide a boost to the economy. The tax cut, which applies on the first $113,700 in annual earnings, expired on Monday.
Now most of the country’s 160 million workers will see smaller paychecks. No one is expecting the payroll tax cut to be extended.
Monthly paychecks will have $50 less for those earning $30,000 annually, and will shave off $189.50 for those with incomes totaling $113,700.
The amounts could be large enough to deal a blow to middle class Americans’ spending budgets, especially at a time when the economic recovery is still struggling to gain a foothold.
Watch how to become-a-contractor
Candles:Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens.Always use non-flammable holders.
Keep candles away from other decorations and wrapping paper.
Place candles where they cannot be knocked down or blown over.
Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials.
Wear gloves while decorating with spun glass “angel hair” to avoid irritation to eyes and skin.
Choose tinsel or artificial icicles or plastic or non-leaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.
In homes with small children, take special care to:
Avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable.
Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children. Pieces could be swallowed or inhaled.
Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food. A child could eat them!
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
Advertising is important to Florida contractors and can make the difference between a great business year and just making ends meet. Florida contractors have many new ways of promoting their businesses with the increased use of internet websites and the advent of social media technologies. As advertising evolves, it is important for Florida contractors to remember that their license number must be included in all offers of service, bids, business proposals, contracts or advertisements, regardless of the medium. Pursuant to Rule 61G4-12.011, F.A.C., advertisements include any electronic media including Internet sites. So please remember to include your license number on your websites, social media pages and other advertisements.
When in doubt always list your number.
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.
PRPR is about getting magazines, newspapers, and e-zines to tell their readers about your site. This is hard. The editors demand interesting stories. To get ink, you need a twist. If you think you might make a good read, work hard on the PR. Ink is gold.
If you have a great site, your visitors want to tell their friends about it. Make it easy for them and provide incentives to do so. Send email to invite the friend to your site. Include the name and email of the friend who referred you. These will be some of the best leads you generate.
Your potential customer reads magazines. Go there. Run small ads in publications targeted at your customer. Keep the message minimal – just tell us what you sell and list your URL. Start with the cheapest classified ads in the best publications you can afford.
Create a nice banner, buy lots of impressions, then watch the orders roll in. Simple, right? Not always. Find out if banners work for you. Create high quality banners. Run the banners on several well-targeted sites and buy enough impressions to determine how well they perform.
You should get other sites to send their visitors to your site. But how? Give them something. Provide a reciprocal link or give them a cut of the revenues generated from their referrals. Do not affiliate with mediocre sites.
Hold a drawing. You need a compelling prize, a recurring drawing, a database, and most importantly, a well-crafted email campaign as an adjunct to the contest. Manufacturers of unique and interesting items have the best chance of winning with a contest promotion.
All web businesses must implement an effective search engine strategy. Follow the basics – submit to search engines, insert meta tags, and use well-crafted titles, but don’t obsess. Very few businesses thrive from search engine traffic alone. It is only one of the seven promotional methods you should try.
Internet business is tough. If you already have a great site and a compelling value proposition, you stand a chance. But if you are really serious, you must attend to promotion. Don’t waste money. Test to see what works first. Then go for it – spend big money on promotion.
