Things To Do In SW Florida

Not all contractors are created equal. You wouldn’t hire an electrical contractor to fix your toilet. Each contractor has their own specific skillset. If that’s the case, what does a general contractor do? By definition, a general contractor is a contractor “whose services are unlimited as to the type of work which he or she may do, who may contract for any activity requiring licensure under this part, and who may perform any work requiring licensure under this part, except as otherwise expressly provided in s. 489.113.”

In the state of Florida, a general contractor can become licensed if he/she has 48 months on jobs with at least 12 months as a foreman and show experience in at least 4 areas of commercial construction.

General contractors are licensed and bonded by the state because they can build structures. A general contractor can work on large projects where building permits are needed.  General contractors are good if you’re adding an addition to your home or moving a wall. If you are changing the structure of your home, the city needs to give you permission and the city and a building inspector will only approve structural work done by a licensed general contractor. read more

Although we are a contractor licensing company based in Florida, we have helped our clients get their contractor licenses all across the state. One state where we’ve helps dozens of people get their licenses is Georgia. Georgia has a lot of contractor licensing requirements, which can become overwhelming and confusing for people – that’s where we come in.

Our goal is to make the contractor-license process an easy, stress-free process for you. We make the application process painless! With Georgia’s requirements, we know all that is needed to get you approved quickly in that state. We know the proper steps (to take to expedite the license approval process. It takes about 3 weeks to have you a certified Georgia contractor’s license number.

When we complete a contractor license application, we aren’t just filling out forms and gathering paperwork. We analyze your past and present and use your skillset and experience strategically to build you a solid application that will pass.

As a contractor licensing company, we give all our clients unlimited time to ask us questions related to contractor licenses and the application process. We work with our clients through email and fax, so we can work with you from anywhere in the country. We run Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) credit reports. We analyze and review the application to ensure everything is correct. We overnight ship to the DBPR and we monitor the DBPR’s approval process. read more

 

Looking to start a business? Well, you need good credit. In Florida, the Department of Business & Professional Regulation’s Construction Industry Licensing Board requires all applicants who want to become a state certified contractor to provide cred reports for themselves and their business entity. The credit reports need to indicate that local, state, and federal records have been searched. A person credit report needs to contain a FICO derived credit score.

 

In order to get a contractor’s license, you need a credit report, so the state can make a decision on your financial responsibility. In order to form a new business, you need a credit report on file.

 

As a Florida contractor licensing company, we are on the Department of Business & Professional Regulations list of approved credit reporting agencies. Our credit reports include:

• FICO Score
• A statement that Public Records have been searched at the Local, State and Federal Levels

 

Our credit reports, which are DBPR approved cost $50 per report.

 

To get your credit report, follow these steps:

1. Please click on the type/number of credit report(s) you need:

• Credit Report Request – 1 Personal
• Credit Report Request – 1 Business
• Credit Report Request – 1 Personal / 1 Business
• Credit Report Request – 1 Personal / 2 Business
• Credit Report Request – 2 Personal / 1 Business
• Credit Report Request – 2 Personal / 2 Business

 

2. Your reports will be completed within 48 hours.
3. We will email your credit reports to the email you provided.  Please print them out and include with your application to the DBPR.

 

If you have any questions about these credit reports or getting your contractor’s license, let us know. We are here to help you. We are a Florida contractor licensing company who will do the contractor application process for you. read more

 

Owning a home is a 24-7 job. Unlike an apartment or condo, there is much for you to think about. From the plumbing to appliances, anything can go wrong at any time. Besides enjoying your home, the number one job you have in your home is to maintain it. Regular maintenance on your home can help you keep things from breaking. Small tasks throughout the year should be easy enough for you to handle, but bigger tasks, especially those that are seemingly dangerous, should be handled by professional contractors.

As a homeowner, what kind of jobs around the house can you do yourself without the help of a contractor?

• Change batteries in smoke detectors.
• Change out the HVAC filters.
• Clean the garbage disposal.
• Make sure your fire extinguisher is up-to-date.
• Test your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors.
• Check the water softener.
• Test your water heater pressure relief valve.
• Deep clean your house twice a year.
• Clean your gutters.
• Replace a broken part of an appliance.
• Change lightbulbs.

These are just a few maintenance things you can do throughout your home during the year to keep everything in good condition. However, if you need a bigger task done or a remodeling job, it’s time to call a contractor.  Want to rewire your basement? Move where your fridge is in the kitchen? Install a new sink in the bathroom? Knock down a wall? You’re better off hiring a contractor who has an expertise working with wires, plumbing, and structures. You don’t want to electrocute yourself, fall, flood your home or compromise the structure of your home. Leave it to the professionals. read more

Love It or List It. Trading Spaces. Flip or Flop. People are obsessed with home-project shows. Every year, more people seem to be taking on more DIY projects for their homes, which is great! However, repairs and remodeling jobs can be a big undertaking time wise and financially. For example, if you’re looking to redo your kitchen, the average remodeling cost is $20,000. Most of the cost in a remodeling job is the labor. Labor can cost anywhere between $30 to $125 per hour.

Since labor costs are so high, many individuals have opted to do things themselves. However, not every project should be a DIY. If you have little to no experience with electrical or plumbing work, you may cause actually damage or problems to your room. Contractors are skilled professionals who are experienced in specific trades. They can do the jobs efficiently and effectively, and they likely will do a better job than you. Wouldn’t you rather your new kitchen looking flawless?

Electrical wiring, installing tile, plumbing, and carpentry may be too far out of your wheelhouse, but you could save costs by installing a carpet, insulating rooms, or painting. If you’re wondering whether you need a contractor or not, you need to figure out your skill set, how much money you have, and how much time you have. read more