Thank You Gov. Rick Scott!

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Portrait of evil - Gov Rick Scott“TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Governor Rick Scott and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) Division of Certified Public Accounting today announced it awarded nearly $200,000 in scholarships to minority students studying to become certified public accountants at colleges and universities throughout Florida.”

Now you could have given the scholarships to the MOST deserving students huh? Let’s discriminate and give it to certain individuals that MAY deserve it less than others. Please tell me I’ll have another chance of NOT voting for you? You’re a republican and have been screwing minorities forever…oh… wait… election is coming up. That always explains so much.

Updated Home Inspectors Information – Nov. 2013

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On October 22, 2013, Rule Chapter 61-30, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), became effective. These rules, along with Chapter 468, Part XV, Florida Statutes, are the result of many coordinated efforts between the Department and industry stakeholders and are now final. Some parts of the pre-licensing and continuing education programs for home inspectors have changed as a result of these new rules. Some key changes are detailed below:

  • 1. Per Rule 61-30.501, F.A.C., the fee to renew or obtain a new provider license was reduced from $500 to $250.
  • 2. Per Rule 61-30.503(5)(b) and (5)(c), F.A.C., the 14 hours of continuing education required for licensed home inspectors must include 12 hours based on the components of a home as described in the rule, as well as 2 hours of instruction regarding hurricane mitigation training. Courses approved prior to October 22, 2013, will meet the existing education requirements for the 2014 license renewal cycle, but will not be renewed after the course’s expiration date. If a provider desires to continue offering the continuing education course after it expires, the provider will be required to submit a new course application that complies with the new requirements.
  • 3. Per Rule 61-30.503(6), F.A.C., the course topics included in the initial 120-hour pre-licensure education course must be based on the components of a home as described in the rule, and no longer include a live, field-based component. Courses approved prior to October 22, 2013, will continue to be accepted but will not be renewed after the course’s expiration date. If a provider desires to continue offering the pre-licensure education course after it expires, the provider will be required to submit a new course application that complies with the new requirements.
  • 4. Per Rule 61-30.503(9)(a), F.A.C., all instructors must hold active or inactive licenses as home inspectors. Unlicensed individuals may not serve as instructors for any approved course.

PASSED The First Attempt!

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Rich I just wanted to drop you a note letting you know I passed both Builder exams Saturday. I spoke to yourself and Jeff a couple times early in the game. I was down to 5 weeks out and never cracked the books. You said 5 hours a day and 8 on the weekends should get the job done. I walked into the exam with 150 hours crammed into 5 weeks after working my job. Thank you for your passion of teaching. Next I will tackle the Business portion after a short time of catching up with household chores and reintroducing myself to my Wife after a long 5 weeks. Could not have done it without you guys.

I love the online options

Curt MCcluckie

Unlicensed Activities

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Here in Florida, after a storm or natural disaster strikes, unlicensed construction activity may increase as clean-up begins. Consumers should always ask to see the State of Florida professional license, which can be verified online at www.myfloridalicense.com or by calling 850-487-1395. Consumers should also avoid paying cash or writing checks to an individual, especially when the work is being done through a company.

If unlicensed activity is suspected, consumers within Florida should call 1-866-532-1440 or email ULA@myfloridalicense.com to report it. Any person who acts as an unlicensed contractor during a state of emergency as declared by executive order of the Governor is committing a third-degree felony.

Grandfathering of Registered Electrical Contractor’s Licenses

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eclbHouse Bill 269, which passed during the 2013 legislative session, was approved by Governor Rick Scott on June 14, 2013. This bill will re-open and extend the time period for electrical, alarm, and specialty electrical 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 July 1, 2013. Registered contractors may submit their application for grandfathering of their licenses beginning July 1, 2013.

Identifying & sampling mold during a Home Inspection

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mold-typesDeclaratory Statement to DPBR (Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations)

Petitioner (Mark A. Cramer) sought clarification regarding the use of a home inspector license to identify and sample mold in a 10 sq. ft area.

The Department stated that Petitioner may inspect, sample, and identify visible mold, assuming the visible mold discovered during the home inspection is less than 10 square feet in area, and Petitioner is allowed to advertise mold testing, sampling, and inspections within the scope of licensure as a home inspector, so long so long as he does not use the terms “certified mold assessor,” “registered mold assessor,” “licensed mold assessor,” “mold assessor,” “professional mold assessor,” or any combination thereof stating or implying licensure as a mold assessor.

Declaratory Statements

 

EPA’s Lead-Safe Certification Program Important for Consumers

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epa-logo-lead-certification(Lenexa, Kan., March 21, 2013) – Home repairs that create even a small amount of lead dust are enough to poison your child and put your family at risk. If you live in a home or apartment that was built before 1978 and are planning a renovation or repair project, make sure you renovate right with a Lead-Safe Certified contractor in accordance with EPA guidelines. He or she will know how to protect your family.

Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to children and adults.

Increased awareness about lead-based paint hazards and lead-safe work practices for do-it-yourselfers will help reduce lead poisoning in children, pregnant women, other family members and workers.

Consumers with more questions can call EPA Region 7 at 1-800-223-0425 and ask to speak with a lead paint specialist.

Facts about lead
FACT: Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even before they are born.
FACT: Even children who seem healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies.
FACT: You can get lead in your body by breathing or swallowing lead dust, or by eating soil or paint chips containing lead.
FACT: You have many options for reducing lead hazards. In most cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a hazard.
FACT: Removing lead-based paint improperly can increase the danger to your family.
If you think your home might have lead hazards, go to www.epa.gov/lead or call EPA Region 7 at 1-800-223-0425 and ask to speak with a lead paint specialist.

Business Plan for a Startup Business

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construction-contract-reviewThe business plan consists of a narrative and several financial worksheets. The narrative template is the body of the business plan. It contains more than 150 questions divided into several sections.

Work through the sections in any order that you want, except for the Executive Summary, which should be done last. Skip any questions that do not apply to your type of business. When you are finished writing your first draft, you’ll have a collection of small essays on the various topics of the business plan. Then you’ll want to edit them into a smooth-flowing narrative.

Click here for the FULL Business Plan

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