Things To Do In SW Florida

Time is so important on construction jobs – so much depends on it. Problems and setbacks can pop up at any time. Fortunately, with the help of technology, some problems can be a thing of the past.  Technology and digital tools can help our construction teams be more productive and help move along the flow of a project.

Here are some ways in which technology can help boost productivity on any construction job:

• Virtual reality can help contractors see what a job will look like once it’s finished – this gives everyone a lot of insight into the project. You can see potential flaws or problems ahead of time. You can even show the client the finished project through VR. You can get changes and comments early on before you even begin construction.
• Construction project software allows everyone to be in communication throughout the entire project and to see what stage the project is in. All updates and progress are shown in real time. You can schedule meetings, post updates, check on progress, and more.
• Business information modeling software (BIM) gathers information to show a visual of the project. You can determine all your resources and time needed through this software.
• GPS technologies let contractors know how well and how much subcontractors are working so there is no need to clock in.
• There are apps with automated payroll features to easily pay workers.
• Artificial intelligence can help process data and transform it into blueprints and plans. AI can give tasks to other people if people are missing from a project, as well, so the project doesn’t get disrupted.

By using these technologies, a contractor can boost productivity and efficiency in the work place. As technology improves, our projects will have faster turnaround times.

Want to work with the latest technology in an ever-growing field? Get your contractor’s license. As a contractor licensing company, we have helped thousands of contractors get their contractor license in Florida and in other states, and we want to help you too. First you provide us with some basic info on your skills, background, testing, education, and other info. Then, we will fill out all the paperwork and submit it to the Board on your behalf to get you approved. read more

Mistakes happen – in all aspects of life. Unfortunately, in the world of business, certain mistakes can be costly. Mistakes can also trickle into other areas of a project or business and create even more mistakes or problems. With many moving parts, mistakes are basically inevitable in the construction industry. Since mistakes are unavoidable, a contractor’s best bet is to be prepared and to have plans in place for when mistakes do occur.

With a mistake-plan in place, mistakes can be addressed and fixed faster, which means the company will not lose out as much (money wise) and the project can be finished on time still.

Below, we wanted to share with you some things to have as part of your mistake-plan that will help you recover faster if you unfortunately encounter a mistake or two on a project.

• Admit to the mistake so no time is wasted on figuring out how or why it occurred. The faster you admit responsibility, the faster the problem can be fixed. If it wasn’t you or your team, figure out who made the mistake as quick as possible.
• Document all mistakes. You want to remember what the issue was so it can be avoided in the future with the same or different project.
• Be open and honest about the mistake. Let everyone on the team know about a mistake and how it will affect the project. If everyone understands the mistake, it is less likely to happen again.
• Create a schedule to fix the mistake, if it can’t be immediately fixed.
• Do a project risk assessment. You want to make sure every step was properly taken to fix the situation.

For the future, you should create policies to help avoid future mistakes. Whether you use better tools, use better technology, use more automation, or find a better way to communicate, adopt things into your business that will help lower the number of mistakes that occur. read more

If you’re a contractor, you already know the answer to this; however, there’s many people out there that may not know exactly what a contractor does for a living.

In the construction industry, a contractor (organization or person) is hired to work on and complete a project – it could be residential, commercial or something else. A contractor has a certain specialty and hires other contractors (or subcontractors) to help with work that is needed for another type of skill/specialty.

When a general contractor is hired, he/she/the company finds individuals to help get the job done. They also find the right materials, tools, and equipment to complete the task. They draw up the construction contract, as well. Contractors also deal with getting permits, purchasing facilities, safety, site surveying, scheduling, payroll, waste management, and more. The general contractor is the one who works with the client and communicates with them.

Along with a general contractor, there is the construction manager who helps develop the project and initiates the construction phase of the project. The manager manages subcontractors. He/she has the most responsibilities. read more

Before you begin working with anyone, it’s totally normal and essential to ask him/her questions before you start a project. You want to make sure you’re working with the right person for the job. We wanted to share with you some questions you should ask a general contractor before hiring them for a job.

• How is your business organized?
  • Who is the owner?
  • Who is in charge of projects and tasks?
  Do you have experience with projects like mine? Same type and size? Can I have the contact information for past clients? How you do handle and manage scheduling? What technology do you use? How many subcontractors do you work with? How many people will be working on this project? Who will be in contact with me? How often? Will I be given a timeline? What happens if there is a delay? Who will be supervising my project? And how? Do you have workers compensation and liability insurance? How do you settle disputes? How much do you expect me to put down? How long have you been in this line of work?

  Finding the right contractor takes time and research. Talk to friends and get referrals. You want to work with someone trustworthy. The above question will help you get a better idea if this contractor makes sense to work with.

  Want to become a contractor yourself? Or know someone who does? You’ll need a contractor license to practice legally in Florida and many other states.  We are a contractor licensing company. We have helped thousands of contractors across the United States get their contractor license, and we want to help you too. We are based in Florida. When you contact us, we will ask you to provide us with some basic information on your skills, background, testing, education, etc. Then, we will fill out all the paperwork, let you know if you are missing anything, have you send us the correct/new info, finish up the application, and submit it to the Board on your behalf to get you approved. We get you approved the first time read more

Construction fraud is real, and it happens more frequently than one may thing. Construction companies and contractors can lose big money on this fraud. Fraud, especially at first, can be hard to spot, especially if a company has many employees, suppliers, and job sites. Often, an owner does not realize the fraud is occurring until it is too late.

We wanted to share with you the different types of fraud owners may have to deal with in the construction industry:

• Time fraud – Workers can show up late or leave early or take too many breaks – this is stealing time and slowing down productivity. Over time, this can lose the company money. Workers will usually write down/punch in times they were working when they were not, so they’re getting paid for work and hours they did not do. Employers can fight this by installing security cameras near time clocks.
• Fake injuries – Some employees have been known to fake injuries to get paid (with workers’ compensation) without having to work.  These fake injuries can cause a company’s workers compensation benefits rates to increase. Just like the time clock, cameras can prove if an employee did actually harm him/herself.
• Bills for no work – Some subcontractors will bill the contractor for work and time they did not to. They can say they worked more hours than they did, say they used equipment and tools when they didn’t, and say what they completed, and they didn’t.  to fight this, it’s best to hire a licensed, well-respected subcontractor. It’s a good idea to hire someone you know already or know through someone else – this will reduce your chances of being robbed.
• Stolen equipment. Whether it’s a machine or tool, stolen equipment can cost a contractor thousands. To combat this, GPS trackers on devices and security cameras can potentially track down the thief.

To avoid fraud before it happens, think about conducting background checks, have people in the company monitoring fraud, reviewing invoices, etc.  not all fraud can be avoided, but there’s a lot you can do to prevent it or stop it right in its tracks.

Ready to be a contractor? You will need to get your contractor license. As a contractor licensing company, we have helped thousands of contractors across the United States get their contractor license, and we want to help you too. First, you provide us with some basic information on your skills, background, testing, education, etc. Then, we will fill out all the paperwork, let you know if you are missing anything, have you send us the correct/new info, finish up the application, and submit it to the Board on your behalf to get you approved. We know all the requirements and deadlines. read more