Builders News

You need 16 hours of continuing education to renew a Residential Contractor Endorsement. However, if  you have been licensed less than one year you do not have to complete continuing education. If it is your first time renewing your license you only need 8-hours of approved continuing education.

Virginia contractor licenses consist of two parts, the class of the license, which determines what if any restrictions are placed on the size of contracts/projects that may be performed and the classification/specialty, which determines what type of work the licensed contractor is allowed to perform.

When you pass the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors, you will be listed in the NASCLA National Examination Database. The following states which accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination: AL, AR, GA, LA, MS, NV, NC, OR, SC, TN, UT, US Virgin Islands, VA, and WV.

As drone popularity increases in the recreational and business sectors, there is rising concern about drones in no-fly zones interfering with commercial flights. Many feel the FAA Reauthorization act goes too far and provides excessive power to local law enforcement. On the other hand, others believe it is important to implement stricter safety protocols to protect privacy and prevent crashes with airplanes.

Construction site accidents cost builders and contractors both time and money, as well as, damaging your reputation with clients and employees. Construction workers engage in many activities that may expose them to serious hazards, such as excavation cave-ins, unguarded machinery, being struck by heavy construction equipment, and electrocutions. OSHA safety standards are designed to reduce on-the-job injuries; health standards to limit workers’ risk of developing an occupational disease.

Homeowners who need a job done are looking for someone they can trust. The demand for eco-friendly materials and building projects is growing. Customers want to find a builder who’s qualified and educated on these topics. Get licensed, and don’t be counted out next time someone’s looking for a builder.

Ladders are the oldest tool still in use today. These amazing tools date back approximately 10,000 years.  Despite being around for ages, the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) recently did a study and discovered that in the last decade 81% of fall injuries among construction workers treated in the U.S. involved a ladder. Ladders are a crucial tool of the trade which requires little to no training, making them time and cost efficient. However, that same study said that 43% of FATAL falls have involved ladders. With statistics like that, shouldn't ladders be banned from job sites?

Fall is here, and winter will soon be upon us. It's the perfect time to focus on Michigan's required 60-Hour Prelicensure course. You'll definitely want to spend some of those cool fall evenings in the comfort of your own home, preparing for the State exam.  A passing score of 70% is required in order to get a license.

The construction industry contributes close to 4% of America's workforce.  According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there were 1034 construction workplace fatalities in 2016. We've all heard horror stories of workplace catastrophes, injuries and near death experiences on the job site.  There are four major causes of construction fatalities, falls, electrocution, being struck by an object and getting caught in between or inside a piece of equipment or an object at the job site.  Although we do our best, accidents and injuries do happen. One can only imagine the pain and suffering that could have been avoided had there been appropriate safety procedures and staff training in place. Safety should always be at the forefront of everyone's mind while on the job.

This week-long classroom style course meets all of the State prelicensure requirements. You'll walk away with all 8 state required certificates of completion. It also comes with an online exam prep study course curriculum (complete with practice exams!) that will prepare you to TAKE and PASS that state exam.  You'll definitely want to spend some of those cool fall evenings in the comfort of your own home, preparing for the State exam.  A passing score of 70% is required in order to get a license.