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5 Steps to Become a General Contractor

Cristina MaciasBy No Comments5 Mins Read
5 Convenient Car Accessories Worth Picking Up Little scented pine trees aren’t the only car accessories that spruce up cars. There is a host of items on today’s market designed to make driving a comfortable, even luxurious experience. But what are they? On this page, you’ll learn about five convenient car accessories worth picking up. To make sure there’s something for everyone, we’ve divided these accessories into two categories: comfort and safety. Each of these items is available on Amazon and generally ship within one to three days. Things to Consider When Purchasing Accessories for Your Car You don’t want to waste money on items that end up forgotten on your car’s floor mats. Before we talk about convenient car accessories that can enhance your driving experience, consider these factors: ● How often do you drive? Do you have a daily commute? ● Are you buying a gift for someone else? If so, how long have they been driving? ● If you could change one thing about your car, what would it be? ● Where do you live? ● What’s your car’s age, make, and model? ● Can any one of these accessories prop up the value of my vehicle? The answers to these questions can identify what product is right for you. Five Car Accessories to Improve Drivers’ Comfort Whether you live in Sunny Florida or freezing upstate New York, here are some items designed to make driving more comfortable: Insertable Car Outlets Many cars have charging ports, but they’re not compatible with two-pronged chargers. That’s where the Ampeak 100w Car Power Inverter comes in. You slide it into your car’s charging port, and it transforms into a standard, two-pronged outlet. Here, you can plug in your phone, tablet––you name it. Seat Warmers The days of waiting for your car to thaw are over. Now, you can purchase a battery-operated seat-warmer that makes the driver’s seat nice and toasty. The Seat Cushion with Heat reaches 140 degrees in a matter of seconds, so you won’t have to shiver during your daily commute. It’s not limited to being a car accessory either; you can use it on your office chair or armchair. You don’t even have to turn it on. Once the cover senses your weight, it’ll automatically turn on. A Cellphone Dash Mount Sick of your kids asking, “Are we there yet?” Using a cellphone dash mount, you can place your phone on the dashboard, so both you (and your passengers) can watch the screen. It comes with an adhesive mount to keep the device in place, and it leaves the charging port exposed for easy charging. Just make sure that your prospective phone mount matches your smartphone’s dimensions. A Steering Wheel Cover Steering wheel covers are more than stylish; in fact, they help you grip the wheel, so you have total control over your car’s movements. It also slows down your steering wheel’s wear and tear. You may consider buying a felt cover if you live in a warm climate, or a rubber one if you’re looking to improve a senior’s grip while driving. A Microfiber Cloth Microfiber cloths are excellent at wiping away dog hair, dust, and other debris that comes from the car’s air filter. Moreover, it’s perfect for wiping condensation and bird droppings off your windows. You can buy microfiber cloths at the dollar store or in multi-packs online. Five Car Accessories to Improve Your Safety Imagine: you’re driving at night on a long, empty road, and your car stops working. In this situation, what are five items that would keep you safe while help arrives? Some ideas include: A Battery-Operated Beacon Poor visibility is one of the leading causes of all car accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While you’re waiting for roadside assistance, you don’t want a car to hit you or your vehicle. So, consider getting a battery-operated beacon. You place the light on top of your car, making you stand out from dark road side. It’ll also make it easier for a tow truck or law enforcement officer to locate you. A Cellphone Signal Extender Even if you have roadside assistance, like AAA, none of that matters if you can’t get a cellphone signal. To extend your cellphone’s reach, you may consider purchasing a cellphone booster signal antenna. These devices connect you to cellphone towers outside your general vicinity, allowing you to send messages, make phone calls, and browse the web. Different cellphone boosters work for different cellphone providers, so be sure to check an item’s specs before purchasing it. A First Aid Kit If you’re ever in an accident, you want to address your injuries right away. You can do this if you have a first aid kit handy in your glovebox. Here, you can stop a wound from bleeding, stabilize any broken bones, and minimize the risk of infection. You should look for a first aid kit that has: ● Antiseptic ● Bandages ● Gloves ● Gauze ● Band-aids ● CPR masks ● Cotton balls ● Medical tape Many first aid kits also come with user manuals, so you can appropriately treat injuries while the paramedics arrive. Tile Nobody likes looking for their car in a dark parking lot. That’s where Tile comes in. While the product’s made a name for itself by finding lost keys and wallets, it can find virtually anything. Simply activate the Tile, pair it with your smartphone, and slide the Tile into your glovebox. So then, the next time you can’t find your car, you can just track it on your phone. You can buy Tiles individually or in multi-packs. A Final Word Comfort and safety are the two most important things when driving. By evaluating your car’s needs and your driving habits, you can purchase an accessory that’s not only convenient but brings your driving adventures to another level.

Are you interested in becoming a general contractor? This field has a wide range of opportunities, but it requires strong commitment if you’re set on being one.

This post will explore why general contracting is a fantastic career choice. It will also touch on essential steps you’ll need to take if you wish to enter the field.

Why Go Into General Contracting?

General contracting has numerous benefits making it great for those who strive to provide others with incredible craftsmanship while making a decent salary.

Being a general contractor also means you often work independently. This means you get to decide on your schedule and rates.

This option is always bustling, so you’ll get to work on various projects ranging from new homes to structural renovations. Thanks to this, you’ll not only have a steady income but can increase your skills and experience.

5 Steps to Becoming a General Contractor

Brainstorm Your Plan

Before setting out on your new career, carefully plan things. Jumping right into it might be tempting, but general contracting requires many permits. Moreover, if you miss something critical and start working, it will reflect poorly on your new business, which could affect its future.

Also, start to get an idea of how you’ll manage your finances. This includes figuring out your hourly rate and if you should open a separate bank account for your company.

After you have a strong business plan, please write it down. This way, you can keep your thoughts in one place and organize things as you go.

Secure Insurance

Insurance is vital in general contracting and legally required. It protects you from lawsuits, but it also helps you sustain an income should you be injured on the job.

General contractor insurance rates vary, so you’ll want to carefully research different plans. Because you’ll be dealing with various factors, most general contracting insurance will cover numerous things. These include:

  • Workers’ compensation
  • General liability
  • Commercial property and auto
  • Tools and equipment

Besides insurance for yourself, you’ll also need to consider subcontractor insurance if you plan to use their services. This can protect you if they’re injured or cause project damage.

Overall, it’s best to talk with an insurance agent to ensure that your package covers everything you need. They can also design a customized one to fit your budget and preferences.

Get the Appropriate License

You’ll now want to look at obtaining the proper contracting license. This confirms that you can legally run your general contracting business.

Requirements will vary, though, depending on where you’re located. For instance, some areas might demand that you have at least a few years of experience in this field before you’re allowed to get a license. You’ll want to check that you have the necessary permits and paperwork before applying for one.

Take a General Contracting Education Course and Pass the Final Exam

In most states, you’ll need to take a contracting course. This will teach you the ins and outs of the field. It also proves that you’re educated in general contracting requirements.

After a few weeks, you’ll be able to take the final exam to test your knowledge. If you pass, you can move on to officially being a general contractor. However, if you don’t, you’ll need to retake it.

Keep in mind that you won’t be able to get this far if you don’t have at least a high school diploma or a similar equivalent. This is key to beginning your journey, as it shows you have basic knowledge in critical mathematical fields. If you don’t have this, you’ll need to obtain one before you can take the final educational courses.

The classes do come with fees, some of which can be hefty. You’ll usually need to pay for them out of pocket, but sometimes loans are available.

Apply for Your Business

Once you’ve passed the test, you can send in your legal business information to your state’s contractor license department for approval.

You’ll be asked to pick a legal entity to form your business under. Most times, this will be an LLC (limited liability company). This covers most business aspects from liabilities and lowers the necessary paperwork and taxes other options require. But, if you prefer a different route, other options include:

  • Sole proprietorship – gives you complete control over your business but leaves you personally liable.
  • S corporation – gives you slightly more advantages than an LLC (especially financially) but can be much more work to obtain.
  • C corporation – requires you to pay consistent income tax but provides liability coverage and low tax rates.

After submitting the necessary paperwork, the state will contact you with either a confirmation or denial. If confirmed, you can begin your business. If your application is declined, you’ll need to review the reasons why and fix them.

Becoming a general contractor takes time and patience, but your dedication will be well worth it. With these steps, you can efficiently work on starting your own successful business.

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