Essential Business Tools for a FL General Contractor – Part 1 of 3

fl general contractorAt   Contractors Reporting Services , we work hard to make your FL Contractors licensing and renewal proc esses as efficient as possible. You begin by asking about how to become a contractor, but once we assist you through the licensing process, you will likely be looking for online tools to get your business and professional tasks up to speed for a profitable start . With so many choices to make in your first few months, we have done a little bit of legwork on your behalf. In our efforts to set you up for success, we have compiled a 3-part list of some (mostly) free online/software options to get you going and help you manage some of the more tedious tasks so you can focus on building the business of your dreams to become fl general contractor.  

 

  1. Office Productivity and Online Project/Document Collaboration:  

– Google Docs .   Free document creation, storage & sharing within your Google account online.

– OpenOffice .   Free open source software suite , comparable to the Microsoft & Apple “office” programs for documents, spread sheets, presentations and more.

– Zoho . Same as above, but it al so includes Wiki, Virtual Office, Show, Project management, Planner and a chat tool. Use them all or pick and choose.

– Thinkfree .   Another “office” suit e option, with sharing ability , that offers cloud storage as well as mobile options to increase your flexibility .

 

 2. Business Management (Project Management, Enterprise Resource Planning, Client   Relationship Management, Accounting)

– GanttProject . A free, open source desktop tool for project management and scheduling. It runs on   all the major oper ating systems and allows project sharing via WebDAV . Break down a nd assign tasks, milestones, manage human resources, c reate resource load, PERT and Gantt charts. Save charts as image files or export reports as PDF or HTML.

– dotProject. n et . A   web-base d project management software, featuring a clutter free GUI, the ability to create discussion forums, task lists, charts and more.

– Imperium . A complete web-based accounting software solution with the functionality of commercial progra ms like Peachtee and QuickBooks, geared for use in smaller and m id-sized operations. Manage your business data with feat ures like CRM, project tracking & invoicing. Works with any operating system and integrates with Google Apps.

– FrontAccounting . A nother terrific web-based solution for enterprise reso urce planning. T rack purchase orders, invoices, accounts payable, stock, general ledger, budget and more.

– TurboCASH .   A free option with comparable features to the above-named.   S tock control, outstanding invoices, suppliers, ledger, balance sheet, income analysis and more. It can handle multiple users and sites.

– Salesforce.com   allows you to start small and manage your business contacts or scale up to be a complete CRM solution for your entire business.

– Sugar Community Edition is a Client Relationship Management used by numerous major corporations. It supports your marketing and sales efforts, social media and social networking, email marketing, mobile messaging and reporting. You can use the open-source community version or pay for premium supported versions.

T ake some time to check out these first 11 web-based tools , and you are sure to find a few to suit your foundational busine ss needs. Office programs that aid in professional correspondence, invoices, expenses, supply tracking, etc., make the process of financial management much more … manageable .   And with many of the free programs reducing initial out-of-pocket expenses, you r initial outlook is much more profitable.

At Contractors Reporting Services, we want to see you succeed and work hard to make the process better for you. If you have questions about obtaining a FL Contractors License, license renewal, corporation set-up o r anything else related to the industry, please give us a call. We are here to help you.

Contractors Reporting Services
13795 N Nebraska Ave,   Tampa, FL 33613
 1-800-487-2084
 https://activatemylicense.com

How to Obtain Your Florida Electrical Contractors License

By Julia Bradley • 27 Jul, 2023
The demand for licensed electricians is high in Florida and expected to continue growing as new construction and infrastructure projects are undertaken. If you are considering a career as a licensed electrician, you can expect to earn a competitive salary, and have steady employment and job security. Skilled electricians are needed in various industries, including residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Electricians also have the flexibility to work independently, for an established company or start their own businesses which can give you more control over your work schedule, projects, and income potential. Although physical demands and challenging environments, such as cramped spaces, heights, or extreme weather conditions exist, those who enjoy hands-on work, problem-solving, and working with electrical systems will find this profession rewarding, and you can continually expand your knowledge and expertise through ongoing training and certifications. To be a licensed electrician in Florida, you must obtain a Certified Electrical Contractor license through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). This license requires that you pass the electrical licensing exam, provide proof of work experience, demonstrate financial responsibility, and pass a criminal background check. Interested in obtaining your electrician’s license? This guide will explain the process and answer some common questions about the documents and requirements that will need to be provided to the DBPR. 

6 Ways to Grow Your Construction Business

By Ryan Bradley • 25 Apr, 2023
6 Ways to Grow Your Construction Business

Three Construction Management Software Programs to Try

By Ryan Bradley • 01 Mar, 2023
Get Organized in 2023: Three Construction Management Software Programs to Try
Real estate trends shows graphic of miniature house model on top of a blueprint

Real Estate Trends: What can Florida expect in 2023?

By crs-admin • 15 Nov, 2022
Realtor.com has recently published its housing market predictions for 2020. In the forecast, analysts looked at four areas: supply, demand, home sales, and the move to affordability. 1) Supply Low affordability and higher interest rates caused growth in the housing inventory, while higher housing prices and higher interest rates raised barriers to entry. Houses satContinue reading
Approved stamp for a contractor applying for a state license

Six Easy Steps To Becoming A Contractor in Florida

By Sandra Brown • 17 Apr, 2022
Six steps Contractors Reporting Services can assist you in becoming a Florida contractor. #1 The Application. #2 Work Experience and State Examination: you must pass the Florida contractor license and provide educational and/or vocational experience. #3 Proof of financial stability and a high FICO score. #4 Fingerprinting and criminal background check. #5 Proof of Insurance. #6 Application fees. These steps can be difficult on your own. Call Contractors Reporting Services for more information.
IT management and cyber security for contractors

IT Management and Cyber Security for General Contractors

By crs-admin • 10 Mar, 2020
IT management and cybersecurity are critically important for the general contractor. Project management for the general contractor encompasses schedules, materials, services, permits, and, most importantly, people. When a cyber-attack steals client, subcontractor, and vendor account information, it hurts people.
CRM tools for contractors

CRM Tools Bring a Competitive Edge to General Contractors

By crs-admin • 10 Mar, 2020
One of the most important keys to success as a general contractor is leveraging technology to multiply efforts, increase efficiencies, and improve communication. The right tools can facilitate general contractor licensing, filing annual reports, keeping the workers’ compensation exemption renewed, following lien law, pulling permits, and filing a notice of commencement. The general contractor mustContinue reading
A mechanics lien provides for general contractors to collect payment

Filing a Mechanics Lien in Florida

By crs-admin • 24 Feb, 2020
Florida law offers strong lien rights for general contractors and suppliers. Providing that correct paperwork is in place if a contractor isn’t paid for a job, they are able to file a lien to receive payment as well as protecting themselves. In cases of non-payment, there are requirements that need to be fulfilled
Florida contractors need the right license to perform work

The Types and Requirements for a Florida General Contractor License

By crs-admin • 15 Feb, 2020
If you’re interested in becoming a general contractor in Florida, you need to be licensed to perform construction work legally. There are two primary licenses to choose from which will allow you to perform general contracting work either throughout the whole state of Florida, or only in a specific local jurisdiction.
Enlisting the services of subcontractors on a large scale project

What is the role of a subcontractor in Florida?

By crs-admin • 01 Feb, 2020
As a general contractor in Florida, you may be overseeing a larger-scale construction project, a renovation or even a residential remodel, but it’s possible that there are tasks that you do not have the expertise or necessary skills to complete. If this is the case, your first thought should be to enlist the services ofContinue reading
More Posts
Share by: