Q:  What type of licensing do I need?

A:  Florida State law now requires all sub-contractors to be incorporated.  You can do this through an attorney (we can recommend ours), or by calling a toll-free number.  Most of the incorporation can be handled over the phone (cost:  approximately $300). 

You must also have an occupational license issued in the city or county in which you live (about $35), general liability insurance (between $350 and $650 per year), workman’s compensation exemption (about $50 every two years), or workman’s compensation insurance.

Design Pros requires that you have all the above because we are a licensed specialty contractor, and we must protect our license.  Building officials, State employees and even employees of our competition regularly stop at job sites and ask to see all necessary paperwork.  If you are found to be working, and are not an employee of the company you are working for, and you don’t have all your insurance, licenses, etc., you can be fined up to $1500, and Design Pros up to $5000.

Some people think this is a lot to pay in order to get a job, but our subs have all done it, and they believe the amount of money they make more than reimburses these “start-up” expenses.  Once the paperwork is completed you own your own company, can get tax breaks you wouldn’t get as an employee, and enjoy many other perks from owning your own corporation.