In Florida, we have lots of contractor licenses which can be complicated. Most people do not fully understand what a general contractor’s license is or what it means. We have Division 1 and Division 2 contractors. Division 1 consists of General Contractors which are unlimited in scope, where Building Contractors are limited to three stories and Residential Contractors which are limited to two habitual residential stories. They also come as State Certified or County Registered contractors, State contractors can work anywhere in the state where County Registered are usually limited to the county they are Registered in.
Division 2 licenses are plumbers, electricians, air conditioning (mechanical) and roofers.
Contractors
- Alarm Contractor
- Alarm II Contractor
- Aluminum Specialty Structure Contractor
- Demolition Contractor
- Drywall Contractor
- Electrical Contractor
- Electrical Sign Contractor
- Excavating / Land Clearing Contractor
- Fencing Contractor
- Floor Covering Contractor
- Floor Covering with Tile Contractor
- Framing Contractor
- Garage Door Contractor
- HARV Contractor
- Irrigation Contractor
- Limited Energy System Contractor
- Marine I Contractor
- Marine II Contractor
- Masonry Contractor
- Mechanical Contractor
- Painting Contractor
- Plumbing Contractor
- Roofing Contractor
- Sheet metal Contractor
- Solar Contractor
- Storm Shutter Contractor
- Stucco Contractor
- Swimming Pool Contractor
- Swimming Pool Finishing Sub-Contractor
- Swimming Pool Service Contractor
- Underground Utilities Contractor
- Window and Door Contractor
When contractors advertise or provide an estimate they must provide their license number. When most unlicensed contractors advertise they will simply state they are licensed and insured. Those licenses should be check and insurance should be verified. Unlicensed contractors can cause huge financial problems for homeowners. If you are in the Space Coast Area we can inspect the work or even just help you verify a contractor. Like many things, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Verify all licenses through the county or www.myfloridalicense.com.
The United States Environmental and Protection Agency (EPA) recommends every home be tested for Radon during the purchase process.
Radon gas is a non-detectable, odorless, colorless, deadly gas that is the second-leading cause of lung cancer behind cigarettes. It is vital to complete prevention inspections/testing to ensure you and your family is safe.
Here are a few quick facts from the EPA about Radon:
Radon is a naturally occurring gas from the breakdown of Earth. It can seep through the soil into your home and become trapped causing an unsafe elevated level of this gas.
Nearly one out of fifteen homes is estimated to have unsafe levels of radon.
Testing using expensive equipment from a trained professional is the only way to find out if your home contains elevated radon levels. If your home does have a higher radon level, there are ways to remediate to ensure safety.
You can check out more information about radon gas directly from the EPA here.
If you have questions about Radon, you can contact our office directly here.
Not only are we going to cover what a home inspection is, but the importance. You might think the answer is, “so I know what is wrong with the house”, but there is more to a home inspection than just that.
A home inspection by definition is a: “limited, non-invasive examination of the condition of a home, often in connection with the sale of that home.”
With that knowledge we can dive a little deeper.
Home inspections are only visual inspections; although there are standards of practice, inspectors are not required to move objects in order to get to items or places they could not normally get to. This is typically due to liability issues. For instance, if an inspector moves a shelf to reach a water heater and the shelf scratches the wall, the inspector now has to pay for the repair. Accidents happen, and that is why the industry attempts to limit liability.
Now the home inspection report is delivered to you and you know what is wrong with the house, what makes the process so worth your while?
Quite simply, the home inspection report should be used for negotiations in order to save you money!
If an electrical panel or roof has to be replaced, you can request the seller to assist you in replacing the item. Therefore, you just made your return on investment with the home inspection report!
Some may say, an inspector that is too detailed is a bad thing, however, this is not the case in most instances. Home inspectors are there for your family’s safety and to save you money. They are third-party companies that have no interest in the transaction. Ultimately, a detailed inspector or inspection company is a GOOD THING!
In the sale of a home, a buyer should do their research on their home inspector to make sure he is detailed for reasons above. If you are not sure what to look for in a home inspector, you may find this article relevant.
Comment your questions or contact us! We are always happy to assist.