Table of Contents - February 2008

• Message from Kristie & Chrissi
• IMPORTANT! Credit Score Requirement Delayed and Other News From CILB
• PLEASE Take Our Survey
• Helpful Resources – News From the International Builders Show
• Important Dates
• Client Spotlight on the Daubmann's of Mr. Shower Door
• Classifieds

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Message from the Gals

Welcome to our second issue of ETC! ETC serves as a tool to keep in touch with you and to keep you updated on new happenings in the construction industry, news related to your license and resources you can use to build your business. We also spotlight one of our clients – someone who may be a good resource and/or contact for you or someone you know. Many readers have already given us great feedback. We hope you enjoy it, too!

Many things are happening right now related to contractor's licensing and the building industry. In this issue, we share some insights gained from attending the Construction Industry Licensing Board meeting, including an update on the new credit score requirement. We also share a couple of great resources we found at the International Builders Show.

Last month we asked for your help for our own business by completing a market research survey. We didn't get the response we had hoped for, so now we're begging you. Please complete the survey for us so that we may better serve you. You can find it here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=aw_2bucarAnldk_2fYgNKFRSHw_3d_3d

As always, we appreciate you so much. Please let us know how we can improve ETC for you.

Best regards,

New Credit Score Requirement "On Hold"...

Last month we let you know -- as soon as we knew -- that a new rule had been added to "prove" a license applicant's financial responsibility and stability. This new rule went into effect February 12 and it applies to all applicants, including those applying for a Change of Status to their existing licenses. Here is the gist of the new rule:

"The applicant must have a FICO credit score of 660 or higher or the applicant must have a bond or irrevocable letter of credit from a bank authorized to do business in Florida. The amount is $20,000 for Division I applicants (General, Building and Residential contractors) and $10,000 for Division II applicants (all others). If you do not have a credit score of 660+, the bond could cost you several hundred dollars. Or, you can reduce the bond by 50% by attending a Board-approved, 14-hour financial responsibility course. See the actual rule at our website, www.LicensesEtc.com."

We learned at the February meeting of the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) that this rule has been put "on hold" and is not currently being enforced. A petition against this rule was filed and that petition was dismissed by a judge on February 8, 2008. The petitioners appealed the dismissal, however. Until this issue is resolved, DBPR and CILB are not enforcing it. However, as soon as it is released, the proper forms will be posted online and the rule will be enforced almost immediately.

So, if you've been wavering because of a credit score less than 660, we can still get your application submitted. But because we don't know when this will change, the sooner we get yours done, the better. We will send out an announcement as soon as we know anything more about this rule.

The rule change regarding W2s and 1099s has not been finalized and adopted yet. This proposed change requires applicants to submit W2s and 1099s as part of the proof of experience. Again, we'll let you know as soon as we know anything about this changing.

...And Other News From the CILB Meeting

We also observed the Application Review Committee as they reviewed those applications that had been sent to the Board, usually due to a criminal background or open bankruptcies, judgments or liens. We've always prepared our clients who have to go through this quite well, because they've all been given approval. However, the Committee does not easily grant that honor.

We witnessed several people asked to return to a future meeting with more evidence that they deserve to have a license. Often this evidence has nothing to do with why the application was sent to the Board in the first place. When the Committee does an application review, they don't just look at the obvious cause -- they look closely at every other part of the application to find faults. In fact, they may find fault in something that actually meets or exceeds the stated rule, but does not meet the Committee's standards. For example, we heard several times that "$1,000 in the bank is not enough to start a general contracting company" although, by rule, there is no required minimum at this time.

When our clients have anything in their background that may require that they attend a Committee review, we prepare them to ensure that they don't have to go through what we witnessed. We make every other part of their application as stellar as possible so nothing else can be picked apart. If you're ever in this situation and we ask you to do more than what's normally required, this is why.

We were quite amazed at how many applicants up for review did not show up to the meeting. There were also many contractors whose licenses were on the line who did not show up to the final action hearings. In almost every case, those who did not show up were given the harshest responses. There were a couple of times when a Board member had a question and the answer may have mitigated the situation, but the contractor or applicant was not there to respond. If you're ever called before the Board, it is in your best interest to attend the meeting.

If you have any questions, please feel free to give either of us a call.

Chrissi Jackson – 239.777.1028 or Chrissi.Jackson@LicensesEtc.com

Can you help us help you?

News From the IBS

We had a GREAT time at the International Builders Show. The Spike party, which included a concert by the B52s, was a blast. We spent all day Friday on the exhibit floor, visiting booths and finding many resources for our clients. The show was focused on Green Building, which, of course, we loved because there was lots of green (the color) around us. We also had the opportunity to meet some clients who we had never seen face-to-face and some contacts we haven't seen for quite a while.

We're currently communicating with some of the resources we found for you to learn more about them and how they can help our clients. Here are a couple for you now:

• EXPO Design Center - Home Depot's upscale design store needs contractor/partners. Contact Jose Santana at 305.562.6544 or Sheerin Mohammed at 561.742.1431.

• Builders Challenge - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is challenging participating builders to "commit to constructing homes that rate between 0 and 70 on the EnergySmart Home Scale (E-Scale)." In exchange, DOE provides a substantial amount of resources, marketing tools and tehnical information. Participation can also help you qualify for tax credits, utility benefits and other incentives. It also allows you to gain a marketing edge, especially in these days of consumers (including homebuyers) concerned about energy and being "green." For more information, visit www.buildingamerica.gov/challenge.

We met Bob Leckinger, COO of FAFCO, on the exhibit floor at IBS. We've helped FAFCO with several Florida licenses. L to R: Chrissi, Bob and Kristie

* Highly Recommended *

Have You Completed Your CEUs?

All contractor's licenses are up for renewal August 31, 2008. If you received your license prior to September 1, 2006, you must complete Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to be able to renew.

Cam Tech School of Construction offers two opportunities, both in Tampa, to complete all 14 hours required by the state.

• March 29-30
• July 26-27
• Cost: $250, which includes lunch on both days
• Classes start at 8 a.m.

Cam Tech has arranged for special room rates. Reservations for the July dates must be made by June 23.

Contact Patti at 800-875-7277 ext. 302 for more information about these classes and other CEU questions.

Important Dates

• Next CILB meeting is March 12-14 in Jacksonville.
• Corporate tax returns are due March 15.
• Registration for April contractor exams are due March 21.
• April exam dates are April 22-23.
• Corporate annual reports are due May 1.

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Spotlight On...the Daubmanns and Mr. Shower Door

Mr. Shower Door of Florida Management Team (l to r): Douglas, Keith & Bill

Licenses, Etc. introduces Bill, Keith and Doug Daubmann, owners of KDD Inc. dba Mr. Shower Door, in Naples, Fort Myers and Sarasota. The Daubmann's opened their first location in Florida in 2003, but they have been involved with Mr. Shower Door since 1989 with their locations in Springfield, MA, and Hartford, CT. Bill and wife Donna closed those locations to enjoy the nice climate and everything else Southwest Florida has to offer. Sons Keith and Doug followed shortly and Mr. Shower Door became a presence in Florida.

Their Florida business has been quite a success, even during the current slowdown. Bill credits this to lessons learned in New England. "We had previously weathered two economic downturns up north and learned from that experience," Bill says.

Specifically, they spend the majority of their resources marketing directly to homeowners and get work from builders through word-of-mouth. Bill explains, "The idea behind this strategy was to insulate us from a down building market."

The Bath Enclosure Manufacturers Association (BEMA) recently honored the Daubmann's and Mr. Shower Door with the highest award available in 2007 - "The Best Shower Enclosure in America," voted by the glass industry's #1 trade magazine, "US Glass."

As if managing a successful business does not keep them busy enough, all three Daubmann's are actively involved in the community. They are all avid golfers and often play in charity events. Mr. Shower Door sponsors many events, including the ACE Group Classic and the annual Mr. Shower Door Challenge Cup Tournament. At one time, Bill officiated for the American Hockey League and Doug and Keith both traveled to Europe to play soccer.

Licenses, Etc. assisted all three Daubmann's in obtaining their Certified Glass & Glazing Contractor licenses. Bill wrote to us, "You knew exactly what was needed and when. Then, you followed it up, found and rectified their (DBPR's) mistakes and took proper action to get us our licenses. Wow! I will never again attempt to go through the licensing procedure by myself."

What Our Clients Have to Say

“You guys take all the leg work out of the licensing process. You made what I thought would be the hard part, the easiest. Thank you!

Classifieds

Have something you want to sell? A position to fill? A need for a subcontractor?

Fine Print

Licenses, Etc., Inc.
Copyright Licenses, Etc, Inc., 2008
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 BY LICENSES, ETC., INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. You may reproduce any article with the inclusion of the following footer:

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