Got My CGC License Number, Now I Have Questions...

FLBuilder

Hello all, I received my license number on the DBPR on 12/30/08. I have yet to receive my license and wallet card in the mail, how long does it take to get this in the mail? I need to start getting local licenses and to get them they want a copy of my license.

Anyone know of a service to contractors where I can have a hold harmless agreement typed up? I am qualifying the company I work for and have been told to get this ASAP to save future grief.

Thanks in advance !
-Kevin

bwalley

It will take about 21 days to get your license, in the meantime you can print the information from the website and start getting setup with your local building dept.

Where in Florida are you?

macatawacab

As a former member of the FCILB, I can tell you that if you qualify a firm there is no "hold harmless" agreement that will be recognized by the State of Florida! You are responsible for the "health, safety, and welfare" of the citizens of the State as relative to the acitivity of construction.

I personally voted to revoke the license of contractors who qualified firms that injured consumers. Those firms often went out and found another qualifier and remained in business while the original licensed qualifier was now unlicensed and would require special consideration of the Board to be licensed again.

Be very careful of the firm you qualify. If it is your business, then the best to you. But since you are concerned about being held harmless, this is a huge RED FLAG.

FLBuilder

I am working with a permiting service to get registered in all these different municpalities and they are telling me the building departments will not accept a printed page from a website. I am located in the Tampa Bay area.

The whole hold harmless was the brain child of my license expediting service. I am the installation manager of a window manufacturing, sales and installation company, and would hate to be sued over a manufacturing issue I can't control. I DO want to consult with a lawyer before pulling the first permit in my name just to be sure. I am not getting a big payday for qualifying the company I work for, the original qualifier is no longer a employee or a resident of Florida so the change makes sense. The company I work for has been in business in Florida since 1999 and have had no major problems, but you can never be too careful.

Thanks all for any input.

-Kevin

macatawacab

As a follow up, when you qualify a company the FCILB will ask you questions. Signatory powers on business account? Day to day management? The FCILB is very concerned about people that aid and abet unlicensed contractors by "selling" their license under the guise of qualifying a firm. If you qualify the firm you need to be in a position to safeguard your good name and license. In this business that is your biggest asset.

If you pull the permits, pass the inpspections, and no liens are filed against consumers you will avoid nearly all possible actions against your license. Be sure to follow all the rules for advertising and disclosing your license number.

If the windows fail, you would need to honor the warranty either the one you gave the consumer or the one year warranty implied by the State.

A couple of hundred dollars spent with a lawyer who understands construction law and your position would be a great investment.

Good luck with your business. I do hope you succeed.

BKFranks

I'm not is FL, but in CA it took about 2 weeks before I received the stuff in the mail after the license number was issued. In that time I was receiving calls from insurance agents and the BBB constantly.

__________________

Ivinni

Bret, when did you get here?

Relapse

__________________
its not going to get better with straps, or new footings or even aroma therapy.

thom

FLB, I think the above respondents are mixing issues.

A hold-harmless agreement between you and your company is fine. You would want an agreement that they accept full financial responsibility for everything including lawsuits, warranty work, any kind of problem.

HOWEVER, that agreement does not intercede in your agreement with the state (licensing provisions). As far as the state is concerned, the responsibility is yours, they come after you. If the company isn't there to back you up, you're on your own. Your agreement with your company will protect you (if properly drawn up) only so long as they remain in business and willing to honor the agreement.

bwalley

I found this place a couple of days ago while looking for some specs.

Ivinni

Watch out, it can get a little rowdy in here.

__________________
its not going to get better with straps, or new footings or even aroma therapy.

bwalley

Kevin,

Are you licensed as an individual, or did you qualify the window installation company?

If you qualified the company, you could have chosen to appoint an FRO, then you would be responsible for seeing the work was properly done, if you didn't have someone as the FRO, you are on the hook 100%.

If you are licensed as an individual and are just pulling the permits for the window installation company, you are aiding and abetting an unlicensed contractor, which is illegal and not a good thing to do, especially with a brand new license.

If you aren't making a bunch of money qualifying them, why do it?

KCLicenses

Hi, Kevin,

Congratulations! You are a licensed contractor as of the date the license was issued, not as of the date you receive the cards in the mail. You can prove this by printing your license information provided at DBPR's website. The counties will accept these printouts. In fact, they often go look themselves even when you present the card, just to be sure it is in good standing, no complaints filed, etc. So you can get started immediately!

I hope your expediting service was on top of things and ensured your license is the correct type for your goals. You should be set up to qualify the business you own or are working for, not as an individual, as others mentioned. If you do not have ownership of the company you qualify, you should have a separate FRO (best) or, at the very least, have an agreement between you and the owner(s) drawn up by an attorney. When you take financial responsibility, according to the State, you are taking on a lot of risk. Of course, so is the owner, because it means you have access to the bank account, authority to approve contracts and payments, etc. So an agreement between you and the business should ensure you both are covered for each other's actions.

Regardless of financial responsibility, the State still holds the licensed contractor liable for all work, including materials. It is up to you to ensure you are using good materials. If a homeowner is not satisfied and files a complaint, the State comes after you. You will be responsibile for settling with the manufacturer.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

Kristie

__________________
Kristie Cook
Licenses, Etc.
www.LicensesEtc.com

invest

Don't you wonder why this person you work for can't get their own License?

invest