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Table of Contents - August 2009
It has been a hot, hot summer here in Florida. And, for good or bad, no serious hurricanes. That's one of the paradoxes of living and working here, especially in today's economy. Nobody wants a devestating storm to hit and destroy people's lives, but...some kind of storm would definitely bring work and help the economy. It's the old adage - "Just be careful what you wish for."
As summer comes to a close, we want to remind you that QB license renewals are due at the end of the month. Please see the update from the State below.
If you are on Facebook and haven't done so, we invite you to become a fan of our Facebook page (click on icon below). Also feel free to "friend" both of us. It's fun to get to know each other on a more personal basis. We are also both on LinkedIn, so look us up there, too. It's a great way to network with each other's contacts.
On a personal note, Kristie recently finished writing her first full-length novel and is seeking a literary agent and publisher. So, if you happen to know anyone...the introduction would be immensely appreciated! :-)
We hope you enjoy this month's issue of ETC. Enjoy the rest of your summer and get prepared for a Spectacular September!
Best regards,
Kristie & Chrissi
Why It's a Good Time to Get Licensed
If you are still procrastinating on getting your first license or adding any more to your portfolio, now is a great time to do so. Many prospects and past clients wanting to obtain an additional license have put things on a back burner because of financial reasons. This is totally understandable. We have good news for you, though. Right now is the best time to accomplish this goal!
As of September 1, fees for many applications drop by $100. This is because of the point of time in the renewal cycle that we're entering. Yes, you will have to renew in less than a year, but you can save yourself $100 now. That's smart cash flow management.
Also, our applications are getting approved on an average of 12 days right now. Some have been approved as quickly as 6 days from submission! DBPR has stepped up their efforts and that, combined with fewer applications, has allowed fast approval times. This can always change, however, so take advantage of it now. It can easily slip back to the 28-day average we were experiencing six months ago.
Getting licensed now, whether you need it immediately or not, allows you to be prepared for any opportunity that comes along later. It's a shame when a major project has to be passed on because the license is not in place yet. Missed opportunity is missed money in the bank account.
Let us know how we can help you get the ball rolling today. Operators are standing by...
* Highly Recommended *
Reducing Costs
We're all looking for cost-cutting ideas to allow us to survive the economy. You may want to explore how you can cut workers' comp costs through Employee Leasing. If you have any field employees, Employee Leasing may provide a nice solution to high premiums. Contact Chrissi Jackson (239.777.1028) at Licenses, Etc. for more information.From DBPR:
House Bill 425 eliminates the qualified business license effective October 1, 2009, however licensees must still renew their qualified business licenses by August 31, 2009. Elimination of the qualified business license means that the department will no longer be issuing a separate license to your construction companies after the effective date of October 1, 2009. However, construction companies must still retain licensed qualifying agents, and the name of the company will still appear on the qualifying agent’s license. House Bill 425 still provides for a fee to process applications to qualify a business and their renewals. As such, you will still need to renew your qualified business licenses by August 31, 2009.
- Qualified Business (QB) License renewals are due by August 31.
- Licenses, Etc. will be closed Monday, September 7, for Labor Day.
- Next CILB meeting is September 9-11 in Tampa.
- Next exam dates are October 6-7. Deadline to register is September 4.
- October CILB meeting is October 14-16 in Jacksonville.
It's time to start marketing for the holidays. As homeowners start making plans, they realize everything they've been neglecting that needs to be fixed before guests arrive. Investing in their homes with a remodel or addition may be their gifts to themselves. Start marketing to them now, pointing out how it's never too soon to get these things checked off their lists. Provide a sense of urgency in your ads - "Avoid the holiday (or snowbird) rush! Hire us before October 31 for a special discount."
Be careful about providing recession discounts. If you aren't making a profit, if your subs aren't making profits, then no one will be around later. This does nobody any good. If you are providing discounts, be sure that you're not undercutting yourself. Losing money is not how businesses survive.
What Our Clients Have to Say
We are so excited about the newest addition to our website: RatePoint. Thank you to all our clients who submitted a review of our company! We proudly boast that we have a perfect 5-star rating. If you'd like to write a review or see what our clients have to say, visit www.LicensesEtc.com and click on either of the RatePoint icons at the top of the home page.
Do you have books to sell? We sometimes get questions from callers about where they can find used books for their exams. We'd like to start a list so we can refer them to our clients who who'd like to recoup a portion of their costs. Please contact Kristie (239.777.8321) or Chrissi (239.777.1028) to get your name and number on the list.
Have something you want to sell? A position to fill? A need for a subcontractor?
Contact Chrissi (239.777.1028, Chrissi.Jackson@LicensesEtc.com) or Kristie (239.777.8321, Kristie.Cook@LicensesEtc.com) for information about advertising in our Classifieds section in ETC. Our current subscriber list consists of over 1,000 people in construction and related industries throughout the state of Florida and beyond. Your Classified ad will also be posted on our website, visited by hundreds every week.Fine Print
Licenses, Etc., Inc.
Copyright Licenses, Etc, Inc., 2008, 2009
Have a question for the experts at Licenses, Etc.? Call Kristie at 239.777.8321 or Chrissi at 239.777.1028 or visit www.LicensesEtc.com
ALL CONTENTS OF THIS E-MAIL ARE COPYRIGHT 2008, 2009 BY LICENSES, ETC., INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. You may reproduce any article with the inclusion of the following footer:
“Copyright 2008, 2009 by Licenses, Etc. Written by Kristie Cook and Chrissi Jackson. Visit www.LicensesEtc.com for more information.”
Protected by U.S. Copyright Law {Title 17 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq., Title 18 U.S.C. Section 2319}: Infringements can be punishable by up to 5 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.
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