Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Deluxe 14-Cup Food Processor $66.20 Hamilton Beach 70575 Food Processor 70575 Food Processors…

Sanyo HR-T3 Electric Indoor Roaster $57.38 Ideal for grilling fish, chicken, beef, pork and more. Upper and lower heating elements eliminate the need to flip foods. 3 heating options?upper element only, lower element only or both elements. Built-in 30-minute mechanical timer. Built-in ceramic filter assures nearly odorless and smokeless cooking. Cool touch handles and base. Removable lid, grill and drip pan for easy cleaning. 18 1/8 W x 7 …

Hamilton Beach Smooth Pour 10-Speed Blender $34.99 Hamilton Beach 50246 Table Top Blender 50246 321…

GE 13-Watt Energy SmartTM – 8 Pack – 60 watt replacement $8.49 GE 13-Watt Energy SmartTM – 8 Pack – 60 watt replacement…

Sylvania 12709 100-Watt 130-Volt A19 Household Bulb, 24 Pack 100A CVP 24PK $14.20 …

Sylvania 15172 65-Watt 130-Volt BR30 Indoor Flood Light, 6 Pack $10.25 …

Allant Energy Computer Backpack (AL-1303-06F00) $35.95 BACKPACK HAS PADDED LAPTOP POCKET, IPAD/TABLET POCKET, FILE COMPARTMENT, COMFORT…

SMK-Link-Link RemotePoint Global Presentation Remote with Red Laser Pointer and Full Wireless Mouse Control Presenter VP4350 $119.82 REM POINT GLOBAL PRESENTR-WLS RF 2.4GHZ REMOTE…

Special Force Tactical CAP HAT Removable Patch KHAKI $3.43 …

6 oz Portion Packs For 6 oz Popcorn Popper $25.00 These handy popcorn portion packs have pre-measured amounts of popcorn, seasoning salt and coconut oil for perfect, theater-quality popcorn every time. Simply cut-off the top and put the contents into your heated kettle for hassle-free popping. No measuring, No mess, No clean-up. There are 24 portion packs in each case….

QuickBooks Tip: Employees vs. Independent Contractors

The days when a small business could ignore the risks of having misclassified workers are over.  Unfortunately, some employers improperly classify their employees as independent contractors to avoid the pain associated with having employees, namely:

• Payroll taxes
• Minimum wage or overtime requirements
• Other wage and hour law requirements, like providing meal periods and rest breaks
• Reimbursable business expenses employees incur in performing their jobs

Additionally, employers don’t have to cover independent contractors under workers’ compensation insurance, and are not liable for payments under unemployment insurance, disability insurance, or social security.

It’s true, the expenses associated with employees are high. However, the cost of misclassifying workers is even higher.  If your contractors are determined to really be employees you will not only be required to pay the taxes and fees you should’ve, you may also be required to pay the employee’s taxes as well.  Not to mention the stiff penalties and interest that can be imposed by both federal and state agencies for violating the various laws.

This is no small matter and is on the radar of every government agency out there, all of whom are anxious to find additional revenue sources these days.  The IRS estimates that one in seven U.S. employers is guilty of misclassifying some of its employees, resulting in a loss of more than $4.1 billion a year in tax revenues.  These days the question is no longer “if” you’ll get audited for employee misclassification it’s “when”.

For businesses facing an audit, the odds favor the IRS. A recent report found that 92 percent of the companies audited for “misclassification” were hit with significant penalties and assessed for back taxes. Between 1988 and 1995, the IRS audited more than 13,000 businesses, reclassified 500,000 of their independent contractors as employees, and levied $830 million in back taxes and penalties.

Making matters worse, sometimes the various agencies disagree.  For instance, here in California there are several state agencies involved with the determination of independent contractor status:  (1) the Employment Development Department (EDD), which is concerned with employment-related taxes, (2) the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE), which is concerned with whether the wage, hour and workers’ compensation insurance laws apply; (3) the Franchise Tax Board (FTB), which is concerned with state income taxes; (4) the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC), which is concerend with worker’s compensation; and (5) sometimes even the Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB), that also have regulations or requirements concerning independent contractors  and it’s not uncommon for one to rule that a worker is an employee while another rules that the same worker is an independent contractor.

Because the potential liabilities and penalties are so significant if an individual is treated as an independent contractor and later found to be an employee, each individual working relationship needs to be thoroughly analyzed to make sure every single worker is properly classified.  Now is not the time to group classes of employees together.  Just because one of your workers qualifies as an independent contractor, don’t assume that all the others doing similar work will.

It all boils down to control – does your business have control or the right to control the worker both as to the work done and the manner and means in which it is performed? The IRS breaks control down into three categories:  behavioral control, financial control, and relationship of the parties. It is very important to consider all the facts for every single one of your worker relationships – no single fact provides the answer.

Behavioral Control

These facts show whether there is a right to direct or control how the worker does the work.

• Instructions – if your business has the right to direct or control the work, even if you don’t actually exercise the right, it can lead to an employee classification.  Here are a few examples of what’s considered control:
  • how, when, or where to do the work
  • what tools or equipment to use
  • what assistants to hire to help with the work
  • where to purchase supplies and services
• Training – if your business provides training about required procedures and methods it may be considered an indication that the business wants the work done in a certain way, which can lead to an employee classification

Financial Control

These facts show whether there is a right to direct or control the business part of the work. Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

• Does the worker has unreimbursed business expenses?
• Did the worker invest in the facilities used in performing services?
• Does the worker makes his or her services available to the other businesses?
• How do you pay the worker?
• Can the worker can realize a profit or incur a loss?

Type of Relationship

These facts show how the business and the worker perceive their relationship.

• Do you have written contracts describing the relationship the parties intended to create?
• Is the worker available to perform services for other, similar businesses?
• Do you provide the worker with employee–type benefits, such as insurance, a pension plan, vacation pay, or sick pay?
• How permanent is the relationship?
• Are the services performed by the worker a key aspect of your business?

You’d think that a written contract detailing that you and your worker agree that you are not creating an employer-employee relationship is all that’s needed, but unfortunately this isn’t the case.  It may certainly help, especially is you subsequently issue a 1099 form instead of a W-2 form, but even this doesn’t guarantee protection.

• If you decide to classify some or all of your workers as employees, this is what you have to look forward to:
• You must withhold income tax and your employee’s portion of social security and Medicare taxes.
• You are also responsible for paying social security, Medicare, and unemployment (FUTA) taxes on your employees’ wages.
• You must file a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, showing the amount of taxes withheld from your employees’ pay. The Form W-2 is used by employers to:
  • Report wages, tips and other compensation paid to an employee
  • To report the employee’s income tax and Social Security taxes withheld and any advanced earned income credit payments
  • To report wage information to the employee, the Internal Revenue Service and the Social Security Administration

QuickBooks handles W-2’s differently based on which payroll subscription you’ve chosen.  There are three options available:

• Basic Payroll:  No tax forms, only reports that your accountant can use to prepare them
• Enhanced Payroll: Includes all federal and many state tax forms, you pay taxes and file forms
• Assisted Payroll: Intuit handles your payroll taxes for you

If you decide to classify some or all of your workers as independent contractors, there isn’t as much paperwork but there are some reporting requirements:

• You may be required to file Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, to report what you have paid to your independent contractors.  The Form 1099-MISC is:
  • Used to report payments made in the course of a trade or business to another person or business who is not an employee
  • Required among other things, when payments of $10 or more in gross royalties or $600 or more in rents or compensation are paid
  • Provided by the payer to the IRS and the person or business that received the payment.
• You do not have to withhold taxes from your independent contractors’ pay.  They are responsible for paying their own income tax and self-employment tax.

If setup properly, QuickBooks can help you track all the information needed for 1099’s.  Here’s how:

• Turn on 1099 preference
  • Edit > Preferences > Tax: 1099 > Company Preferences tab, check box next to Do you file 1099-Misc forms and select accounts you use to pay subcontractors next to Box 7
• Setup subcontractors as 1099 vendors
  • Double-click on vendor, select Additional Info tab, check box next to Vendor eligible for 1099
• Manage reporting process
  • Vendors > Print 1099’s/1096

In the end, how to classify your workers is a business decision that only you can make.  You may save money upfront by classifying them as independent contractors, but you could end up paying much more in the long run if they are reclassified.  Protect yourself as much as possible with a paper trail – contracts, agreements, written answers to the questions listed above.  You might even  consider requiring your independent contractors to prove you with documentation that they are actually operating a small business themselves, such as a business license, Doing Business As (DBA) or Tax ID number from the IRS.

If you need additional assistance, please call our QuickBooks technical support line at 888-351-5285. We are here to help you get the most out of QuickBooks!

About the Author

Ruth Perryman, MBA, CMA, CFE is the president of the QuickBooks Specialists, an Intuit Solutions Provider that was recently named Intuit’s top seller for the western region and has provided QuickBooks help to thousands of businesses all over the world since 1996. She is an Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and a member of Intuit’s Trainer/Writer Network. She is also certified in QuickBooks Point of Sale and QuickBooks Enterprise.

Free version of QuickBooks Point of Sale v10 now available! Plus get a $500 ACH rebate once you’re approved for a new POS merchant account through us.  Call 800-707-0940 for details.

Directed Energy Weapons used in Iraq (Part 2 of 3)

Benefit From Getting Your California Contractor License

Do you like the idea of managing the daily activities of a Construction Business? There has never been a better time to get your California contractor license. In the current real estate industry, people are deciding to stay put in their current residence or take advantage of real estate bargains which oftentimes need a lot of work. As these people decide to make improvements to either their current house or new purchase, they need a qualified licensed contractor to do the work.

By earning your contractor license, you can perform contracting duties in a legal manner, without the risk of getting fined for doing large construction work. You also won’t lose any more jobs because another contractor has a license. The proper education will give you the ability to expand your contractor career potential and your construction business.

Benefits of Getting Your California Contractor License 

You can protect yourself financially and legally 

You can gain prestige as a professional 

You can qualify for small business loans 

You can purchase building materials and supplies at a discount 

You can advertise your new business knowing you are 100% state compliant.

As a construction manager, you will oversee other construction workers acting as a project manager. You will have the opportunity to oversee your own construction business or be a salaried employee of a Construction Management or contracting firm. Your contractor license will enable you to coordinate and supervise the construction process from concept to final construction. Managing a team of people, you will oversee the planning, scheduling and implementation of the work.

You can become the professional licensed contractor you have always wanted a little extra work can take your contractor career to the next level. Dont take orders anymore you can give them and act as your own boss! Getting your contractor license will enable you to assume a management role. Choose the licensing category that fits your needs General Engineering, Earthwork & Paving, HVAC, Roofing, Swimming Pool, Tile, and more. Specialize in the areas that interest you most!

A California contractor school will require you to enroll in a package that includes the areas of Law & Business and Trade. Once you complete the coursework, you will prepare for the Law & Business and Trade exams. You will then complete a state exam application. Further study will prepare you for the California Contractor License Exam and put you on your way to an exciting new management role.

About the Author

Jason S. Cruz is a copywriter for online Real Estate School for Real Estate broker license. we provide industry-leading online courses to become a contractor that enable students to meet their educational requirements and prepare for the state exam. The convenient distance education courses offer students a quick and flexible way to advance their careers.

How do you get a contractor’s license in California?

I’ve gone on the CA state website and see that there is an exam that needs to be passed in order to get your license, but am having a hard time finding any information on how to go about studying so that the exam can actually be passed.

Hi There,

Consider taking an online course, or buying some study guides that will help you to prepare to pass the exam.

Or try: http://www.cslb.ca.gov/Applicants/ExaminationStudyGuides/

California Contractors License State Application Video www.ACLC.com

The economy may be improving but unemployment rates show no signs of declining. If you’re an employer looking at potential layoffs, you’ll need to understand your obligations related to unemployment insurance (“UI”).

How it Works

In its most basic form, unemployment insurance works much the same way as other private insurance policies. Employers pay the premiums, and out-of-work employees file claims. Each employer has its own account, and payment of UI taxes are credited to that account within a general fund. The balance of the account increases with each unemployment tax payment made by the employer and decreases with every unemployment payment made to laid-off employees. Unlike private insurance, unemployment insurance is actually a tax, and an employer who is subject to the tax is required to pay it. If an account has insufficient funds to cover claims by employees, the employer will need to pay additional charges to the state.

Employer’s UI Tax Liability

Private employers are subject to unemployment tax liability if: (1) an employee, either part-time or full-time, worked for the employer for 20 weeks or more in a calendar year, or (2) the employee was paid wages of $1,500 or more in a calendar quarter by the employer (“wages” include salaries, bonuses, tips, and any other similar benefits an employee receives from an employer).

If either of the above conditions is met, the employer is required to pay unemployment taxes up to the taxable wage base on each employee’s wages in a calendar year. The taxable wage base for 2010 is $12,000. So, for example, if an employee is paid $15,000 in 2010, only the first $12,000 is taxable to the employer. The remaining $3,000 in wages is excluded from UI tax. Employers should keep track of employees’ wages for the calendar year to ensure they are not taxed beyond the taxable wage base limit.

Employee’s Eligible for Unemployment Benefits

In order for an employee to collect unemployment benefits, the work conducted by the employee must be subject to UI taxes for the employer (“covered employment”). Only the wages earned in covered employment can be used to compute an out-of-work employee’s unemployment benefits. Some wages paid to employees performing certain services for an employer are excluded from unemployment taxes, and employees are unable to receive unemployment benefits. Examples include real estate and insurance salespersons paid by commission only and certain corporate officers if elected to be excluded by the employer.

In addition, employees must be able to work and not terminated for cause (underscoring the need for thorough documentation when firing for cause). Employees must also be looking for work, unless they meet specific requirements from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. Two instances, in which the job search requirement may be waived, are when there is a reasonable expectation the worker will return to the same employer’s work force or the employee will start a new job within four weeks of the initial claim for benefits.

Recent Changes in Wisconsin Law

In 2009, changes in Wisconsin law extended the maximum benefits allowed to out-of-work employees, and made eligible for benefits employees who leave employment for “compelling family reasons.” Allowable reasons include leaving (1) due to domestic abuse and concerns about personal safety; (2) due to a verified illness or disability of a family member that necessitates the care of the family member; and (3) in order to move with a spouse to a new job.

Costly penalties

The federal government assesses penalties for late payments, ranging from 2 percent for a payment that’s up to five days late all the way up to 15 percent for payments not made within ten days of receiving notice from the IRS.

Employers may also be required to pay additional state penalties for making the deposits at unauthorized financial institutions, failing to file returns or failing to withhold or pay the unemployment insurance tax (this penalty can be as high as 100 percent).

Of course, willful refusal to collect and/or pay unemployment taxes could lead to heftier penalties, liens, and potential seizure of the employers real and personal property by the state and/or federal government.

Best advice

Unlike other taxes companies pay, there’s not much employers can do to minimize their obligations – aside from making timely payments in full. But employers can take steps to assure employees don’t make false or errant claims against the account.

Review each claim filed by each employee dismissed or laid off. Watch closely for misrepresentations about wages or hours worked. If the company has many employees, an employer may be tempted to pay less attention to individual claims, but doing so is essential to protect yourself from unnecessary additional state and federal fees and penalties.

Brandon J. Prinsen is an attorney with Johns, Flaherty & Collins, SC, ( http://www.johnsflaherty.com ), a full-service law firm based in La Crosse, Wis. According to the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, Johns, Flaherty & Collins, SC, has more top-rated lawyers than any other La Crosse law firm.

DEWALT HVAC Technician Certification Exam Guide $25.95 The DEWALT HVAC Certification Exam Guide is the most complete and comprehensive HVAC technician certification book available. This new “standard” for the climate control industry will help readers pass the NATE, ICE, RSES Certification, HVAC Excellence, and HVAC Technician Licensing Exams. Innovative coverage also makes this exam guide extremely useful for studying and preparing for the state limi…

DEWALT Electrical Licensing Exam Guide $29.95 Completely updated to the 2005 NEC®, the DEWALT® Electrical Certification Exam Guide is a complete and comprehensive electrical exam test preparation guide. This new ”standard” for the electrical industry will help readers prepare to pass the Contractors, Journeyman, Masters, Residential, Maintenance, and Sign licensing exams….

Mastering Isometric Drawings for Plumbers $49.95 Mastering Isometric Drawings for Plumbers is a DVD and CD-ROM workbook that will teach you the proper way to read, interpret, and draw isometric drawings as required for passing your state or county plumbing licensing exam. From understanding what isometric drawings are, tips and tricks for proper setup and time saving techniques, to a complete walk through of 5 isometric drawings this course is a…

Contractor’s Exam Prep $24.95 Brevard Contractor’s School state exam preparation seminar. This is for the state of Florida builders exam. It is the summary material from a weekend seminar for the accounting and finance portion of the exam. This set of 2 DVD’s covers day one of the Contractors exam.This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com’s standard return policy will apply….

DEWALT Electrical Licensing Exam Guide, Based on the NEC 2011 $24.43 For years, electricians and apprentices alike have turned to the DEWALT Electrical Licensing Exam Guide for all of their licensing exam preparation needs. With a commitment to delivering both the need-to-know knowledge and valuable test-taking strategies to demonstrate that knowledge, it is a comprehensive and thorough guide to successfully mastering various state and local electrical licensing ex…

Electrician’s Exam Study Guide (McGraw-Hill’s Electrician’s Exam Study Guide) $20.90 Get 1,500 Exam-Style Questions and Answers to Help You Pass the Journeyman and Master Electrician Exams on the First Try! Turn to the Electrician’s Exam Study Guide for the knowledge, practice, and confidence needed to pass the Journeyman and Master Electrician exams with flying colors. This practical resource contains 1,500 questions_presented in the same format used on the actual ex…

Building Contractor’s Exam Preparation Guide $15.00 Passing today s contractor s exams can be a major task. This book shows you how to study, how questions are likely to be worded, and the kinds of choices usually given for answers. Includes sample questions from actual state, county, and city examinations, plus a sample exam to practice on. This book isn t a substitute for the study material that your testing board recommends, but it will help pre…

Mississippi Residential Builder Exam Prep Course $249.00 This comprehensive online course for the Mississippi Residential Builder exam is updated weekly! We make sure you are receiving the most current test information available. Just slip the Exam Prep. Course CD into your computer and you will be amazed at just how easy we make it for you to prepare for the exam. We review each reference book used by the test administrator and show you what items to h…

Alabama Business/Law for General Contractors Prep Course $69.00 This review course is for the ALABAMA General Contractor Business and Law exam. The program consists of online presentations reviewing the reference book and includes practice exams and a home study guide. This course is INCLUDED in the full package. This exam is required for ALABAMA General Contractors and ALABAMA Under Four Stories Building Contractors….

NASCLA Accredited Exam Prep Course with Georgia Business $279.00 This comprehensive online course for the Georgia General Contractor – NASCLA Accredited exam is updated weekly! We make sure you are receiving the most current test information available. Just slip the Exam Prep. Course CD into your computer and you will be amazed at just how easy we make it for you to prepare for the exam. We review each reference book used by the test administrator and show you …

Obtaining the CECL or better known as the California electrical Contractor License does not have to be something that takes forever, in fact it is usually quite simple and only requires a little bit and fill in the necessary information. After you have completed the application, you only need to click on the submit button at the bottom of the application to automatically submit it to the California Department of Industrial Relations.

If you are not like most people and prefer to have a paper trail for everything you can submit your application by hand, they will only accept applications submitted in blue or red ink then mail the information.

After you have submitted the info for the testing exam and have been approved by the DAS your information is then moved to the testing facility, also known as the Experior Assessments. Experior Assessments then sends you the Candidate Information Bulletin. The Candidate Information Bulletin is a fantastic resource on how and what to study for the test, as well as give you the 800 number for your local area to schedule your exam, the CIB will give you the local facility location as well as upcoming testing times and dates. Please note that a test date is not automatically assigned to you.

Each application requires a seventy five dollar fee for the application as well as a one hundred dollar fee for the test which is due at the time of the testing. It’s required to pay via check or money order with it addressed to: DIR- Electrician Certification Fund. Right now there are 8 active testing centers: San Diego, Fresno, San Francisco, Fremont, Van Nuys, Cerritos, Rancho Cordova and Colton.

If you have any questions regarding the test you may contact Experior directly at the following address:

Experior

1260 Energy Lane

St. Paul, MN 55108

If you’d like to reach them by phone give them a call at 800-805-9123.

Every application/applicant must have a certain amount of experience before they can be officially certified, as well as qualifying via the written test. Each application must prove that they have had enough in field experience by one of the following:

1. Finish an the apprentice programs supplied by either the California Apprenticeship Council, the federal Bureau of Apprenticeship training, or State apprenticeship council approved apprenticeship programs.

2. In Job Experience: You must complete 8000 hours of work for an electrical contractor, that includes tasks like maintaining the electrical systems that are covered in the National Electrical Code, construction, as well as installation.

Keep in mind that there is absolutely no reciprocity between states. Although, there are some exceptions between certain states as covered by the Chief of the DAS which will state other requirements needed.

Be sure to purchase the needed books for your exam. To figure out which books that are necessary, refer to the list of documents and books listed on the state’s exam page of their website. It’s an absolute must that you purchase these before you take the test.

Following the rules is crucially important, the test is a closed-book examination. You absolutely cannot review any materials during the test. You will be asked to leave all notes in your car or put them in the trash prior to the test. Also note that there will be some path problems, make sure that you bring a calculator although none that can be programmed or that have alpha numeric abilities.

Begin studying now if you want to pass the first time, remember to review all the materials and books that they suggest to review. The time required to study and become knowledgable will vary from individual to individual. Be sure that you will have enough time to study prior to the exam.

We wish you luck! The test consists of 100 questions based on general Electricity and you have 4 hours to complete it. The test is administered on a computer, and the test is designed for those with very little computer experience. There is a short practice version of the test that guarantees that everyone fully understands how to properly take the test. We highly recommend arriving atleast fifteen minutes before the scheduled starting time. You must also bring one valid form of ID that has your name on it, a current photo, and a signature.

The Electrical C-10 Examination is divided into 5 major sections.

1. System Evaluation and Design

- Existing System Valuation

- Material Section

- Code Requirements

- Plan and specification interpretation

2. Rough Wiring

- System layout

- Grounding and bonding

- Wire and equipment labeling

- Clearance and accessibility requirements

- Raceway and panel installation

3. Finish Wiring and Trim

- Finish device placement and installation

- Trims and sealants

- System energizing and testing

4. Troubleshooting and Repairing

- Selection and use of electrical testing equipment

- Location, repair, and replacement of inoperable electrical wires/components

- Common electrical problems

5. Safety

- Tools/equipment

- Personal/protective equipment

- Lock out/tag out procedures

Getting your California Electrical Contractor license doesn’t need to be hard. Check out our website for additional tips and tricks for passing the first time.

does anybody take Texas HVAC contractor license?

Hi,
I want to take HVAC Contractor License Exam but idon’t know which book or books i should study?

Barnes and Nobles! I’m not saying all of their books by any means. The main one I would be concerned with would be “Audel HVAC Fundamentals Volume 3 Air Conditioning, Heat Pumps and Distribution Systems”. That is the one that my friend uses at school. As far as other books, I really think you should take a trip to a school that offers that major. They will have test prep books that they recommend. Best of Luck!

Change to Computer based testing for Florida Contractors

DEWALT HVAC Technician Certification Exam Guide $25.95 The DEWALT HVAC Certification Exam Guide is the most complete and comprehensive HVAC technician certification book available. This new “standard” for the climate control industry will help readers pass the NATE, ICE, RSES Certification, HVAC Excellence, and HVAC Technician Licensing Exams. Innovative coverage also makes this exam guide extremely useful for studying and preparing for the state limi…

DEWALT Electrical Licensing Exam Guide $29.95 Completely updated to the 2005 NEC®, the DEWALT® Electrical Certification Exam Guide is a complete and comprehensive electrical exam test preparation guide. This new ”standard” for the electrical industry will help readers prepare to pass the Contractors, Journeyman, Masters, Residential, Maintenance, and Sign licensing exams….

QuickBooks Premier 2012 $227.99 New to QuickBooks? Find out why QuickBooks is the #1 best selling small business accounting software¹. Set up in minutes, easy to learn and use No accounting knowledge necessary Quickly import your data from a spreadsheet2 Step-by-step tutorials and industry-specific coaching tips show you how to create invoices, record expenses and more Try out sample files for you business type Special of…

QuickBooks Premier Industry Editions 2012 [Download] $204.99 New to QuickBooks? Find out why QuickBooks is the #1 best selling small business accounting software¹. Set up in minutes, easy to learn and use No accounting knowledge necessary Quickly import your data from a spreadsheet2 Step-by-step tutorials and industry-specific coaching tips show you how to create invoices, record expenses and more Try out sample files for you business type Special of…

PYLE PLCM10 License Plate Mount Rear View camera with 0 Lux Night Vision $59.99 LICENSE PLATE MOUNT REAR…

DEWALT Electrical Licensing Exam Guide, Based on the NEC 2011 $24.43 For years, electricians and apprentices alike have turned to the DEWALT Electrical Licensing Exam Guide for all of their licensing exam preparation needs. With a commitment to delivering both the need-to-know knowledge and valuable test-taking strategies to demonstrate that knowledge, it is a comprehensive and thorough guide to successfully mastering various state and local electrical licensing ex…

California Contractors License Law & Reference Book with CD-ROM $20.00 The California Contractors License Law & Reference Book is a must-have resource for anyone interested in becoming licensed as a contractor in California. This is an exceptional resource created in conjunction with the California Contractors License Board. The new edition includes the related laws and regulations required to obtain a contractors license, together with critical information on maint…

Electrician’s Exam Study Guide (McGraw-Hill’s Electrician’s Exam Study Guide) $20.90 Get 1,500 Exam-Style Questions and Answers to Help You Pass the Journeyman and Master Electrician Exams on the First Try! Turn to the Electrician’s Exam Study Guide for the knowledge, practice, and confidence needed to pass the Journeyman and Master Electrician exams with flying colors. This practical resource contains 1,500 questions_presented in the same format used on the actual ex…

Contractor’s Exam Prep $24.95 Brevard Contractor’s School state exam preparation seminar. This is for the state of Florida builders exam. It is the summary material from a weekend seminar for the accounting and finance portion of the exam. This set of 2 DVD’s covers day one of the Contractors exam.This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com’s standard return policy will apply….

QuickBooks Premier Contractor 2012 $249.99 New to QuickBooks? Find out why QuickBooks is the #1 best selling small business accounting software¹. Organize your finances all in one place with accounting software tailored to your business Document and track change orders Instantly turn estimates into invoices and POs, bill clients by job phase Invoice multiple customer at once with Batch Invoicing Manage your jobs with ease using the Job C…

The term ‘contractor’ is applied to a person involved in the construction trade; it could be new constructions, repair, modification, breaking down and rebuilding of bridges, buildings, roads, dams or any sort of structure. He could be involved in development of new projects like airports, shopping malls and the like. There are many types of contractors like building contractors, remodeling contractors, landscapers, electrical contractors, contractors for you painting jobs, plumbing contractors and many more.

You will have to determine what type of work you want to get done before deciding on which contractor to get hold of. You have to make sure that you have the contractors are both qualified and licensed for the jobs that they undertake.

General building contractors supervise the work and enlist certain qualified and licensed sub contractors to carry out a specific job. They can take up a contract for special jobs, but ensure that they have a license for the specialty work also. Like if you want your kitchen remodeled, and you intend entrusting this to a General Contractor, ascertain that he has the license to carry out plumbing, electrical and carpentry work also. General contractors know about licensing and building permits, and can help you with tips and ideas and necessary referrals.

Home remodeling is one project for which you will require a good contractor, because that will be the most ideal means of revamping your home. The main benefit of hiring one is that he will know how to plan and design things. But make certain that you hire one with caution and diplomacy so that you will attain desired results.

Word of mouth is one way of hiring good contractors for general or specialized work. Ensure that they have done projects before; akin to the one you are planning to offer him. Do some research by inquiring about his charges and his competence from people who have got work done by him. Ask to see references from his clients and ascertain from them regarding his work.

Before you entrust your work to a contractor get everything in writing with as much details as possible and ensure that you sign a contract with him. The contract should necessarily have the cost, the initial payment and the remaining payment schedules and the time of completion among other things.

Contractors Toledo can be the right choice for your constructions. You can save a lot of money and time with their expertise. To know more about such professionals in Toledo, you can visit http://www.all-nuconstruction.com.

How to find contractors license numbers(ca.)?

General contractors license number for Leggett construction, ca.

try this link it takes you dirrect to the sacramento license board and to the license check box

www2.cslb.ca.gov/CSLB_LIBRARY/license+request.asp

contractor, contractors, general contractors,

How do you build a deck or patio structure to last? There are many things you can do to extend the life of exterior projects by doing a few extras that we have learned through experience. Most of these are general concepts that apply to whatever you want to build, be it a deck, patio cover or fence.

First, build as much of the structure as is aesthetically possible of pressure treated wood.

Treat all the cut ends with a sealer, or whatever the other sides are treated with.

When building a deck of redwood, water seal all six sides of each piece of wood with a quality wood sealer before it is installed.

On top of joists and under the decking boards, flashing can be applied to keep moisture away from this connection. Major beams can be flashed with metal, rolled roofing strips or asphalt emulsion.

If building a painted structure, such as a patio cover, seal the major connections with a wood preservative and then prime all six sides of each piece of lumber before it is installed with an oil based primer, and then paint the whole structure. Some pieces will additionally be painted on all six sides before they are installed. You do not want a raw wood to raw wood connection, as dry rot can get started in a very short time.

Footings are always raised above the ground and are sloped so that soil, and thus moisture does not meet the wood.

Caulking is done on the top of a connection, but not on the bottom, so water does not collect and can run out if it eventually does get in.

Many contractors don’t do these things because it is time consuming, messy or they just don’t know any better. The usual practice is to build the structure and then prime and paint and try to caulk all the connections. The finished product may look the same, however in years to come the investment of time to build it right will pay off many times over.

For more information and other newsletters, see http://exteriorspecialtyconstruction.com

Neal Franson, is a General Contractor in the Los Angeles area with over thirty years of experience. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University and a California State General Contractor’s License #466690 as well as being a Landscape Contractor. His company, Exterior Specialty Construction, specializes in exterior construction of wooden and composite decks, hillside decks, patio covers, heavy timber pergolas, pavilions, various patio structures and exquisite wood gates and fences, and has serviced the Southern California area since 1983. The personal knowledge and creativity as an artisan contractor is brought out in each project, as can be seen in the pictures and newsletters offered in his website, http://www.exteriorspecialtyconstruction.com.

“People choose us because we build things to last, and if they want a truely handcrafted project. There are things we do to make projects last that nobody else does, and is what makes us unique.”

How can I get General Contractor License? Thank you…?

I am not sure what state you are in. In general, each state has a set of requirements in order to obtain a license. I am sure most of the states require you to have insurance. Many times you have to obtain the insurance prior to even getting your license. In Texas that is the way it is.

You can usually google search your state licensing,,,,such as state of texas licensing, generalcontractors license in arizona, etc. Possibly even just your state licencing board. In Texas, in case you are from Texas, the site is www.license.state.tx

How to Buy California Contractors General Liability Insurance

Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Juice Extractor $52.99 The Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Juice Extractor is big in all the right ways. It has a big food chute so you can put whole apples or tomatoes in without precutting and it has an extra large pulp bin so you can juice longer. Features: Makes up to 24% more juice than a leading competitor. Fits whole foods for fast, easy juicing. Powerful 800-watt motor. Extra-large pulp bin lets you juice longer and ad…

Nesco/American Harvest FD-80 Square-Shaped Dehydrator $59.94 Easy-to-use dehydrator for drying fruit, vegetables, herbs and jerky. Lay out jerky strips with ease. Includes spices and cure packets. U.S.A. Shape: Square, Watts: 700, Top Mount Fan: Yes, Tray included: 4, Adjustable Thermostat: Yes, Handle Type: Bale, Exterior Color: White, Dimensions L x W x H (in.): 14 1/2 x 14 1/2 x 10…

Sanyo HPS-SG3 200-Square-Inch Electric Indoor Barbeque Grill, Black $35.00 Grilling is healthy, grilling is delicious, and now grilling is something you can enjoy all year round. This appliance is designed to be virtually smoke free, easy to clean, easy to operate and it allows fat to drain away from your food while applying those tasty grill marks….

Home Inspection on Site with Dan Bowers (Holmes Inspection Company of Kansas City) $45.00 Dan Bowers shows how a complete home inspection should be done, what to look for, and what should be repaired before purchasing a home. A complete and thorough inspection is completed. Good to know what an inspection should consist of when looking at hiring a home inspector….

Hiring a Home Contractor [VHS] $5.00 …

AccuSharp 001 Knife Sharpener $5.50 This knife shapener sharpens any double edge blade whether serrated or plain, thick or thin and it will do it faster than youd believe possible. AccuSharp sharpeners are the best, easiest and fastest sharpeners around. The difference is in the specially formulated, precision ground and mounted tungsten carbide blades….

GE 13-Watt Energy SmartTM – 8 Pack – 60 watt replacement $8.49 GE 13-Watt Energy SmartTM – 8 Pack – 60 watt replacement…

Dewalt DPG82-11C Concealer Clear Anti-Fog Dual Mold Safety Goggle $10.26 …

The Homecoming Job $1.99 …

Are We Done Yet? $2.52 If, 18 years ago, you had told rapper Ice Cube he’d have a hit family movie called Are We There Yet?, he would have sneered in your face. Yet here he is with that movie’s sequel, Are We Done Yet?, in which Nick Persons (Cube, Barbershop, Friday) takes his new wife Suzanne (Nia Long, Big Momma’s House) and her two cantankerous kids out to an old house in the country. Unfortunately, the house proves…

Going solar is not only a great choice for living green but it also is a great choice for saving the green- dollars that is. Solar power has been around for awhile now but the popularity of going solar has become increasingly popular as consumers realize the benefits to living a green lifestyle.

Solar power is derived from the sunlight and is turned into electricity through two different panel systems. Photovoltaic (PV) works directly to transform sunlight into electricity while concentrating solar power (CSV) works indirectly to do convert sunlight into electricity. Where you live will influence how great your solar power abilities are. Homes in areas that don’t see a lot of sunlight such as South Dakota can still go solar of course but may still have to rely on back up generators or conventional electricity for days that aren’t generating enough solar power. Other areas that have an abundance of sunlight such as Nevada, California, Arizona, Colorado and Utah which are all in the Sun Belt or the general area are more naturally geared for the ease of going solar almost exclusively with very little back up sources of electricity needed.

Solar panels are the foundation for any photovoltaic system so if you are planning to convert to solar power here are some basics you will need to know.

There are three different types of solar panels- single crystal, multi or poly crystalline and amorphous silicon. Single crystal panels are the most effective since they have they produce the maximum power per square foot.

Solar panels are installed on the roof with solar mounting jacks with metal flashings placed over them and then a layer of roofing is hot mopped on top of the installation brackets. The solar power panels are then mounted on top of the mounting jacks and connected to the converter. If it is at all possible it is ideal to install solar paneling when you are reroofing so the panels can be installed correctly and sealed against letting in rain or moisture.

Solar panels will last about twenty five years which is a good long lifetime and they will simply wear out and produce less and less electricity as they age until they need to be replaced.

The panels themselves are not horribly complex to install but it is a big enough job, especially if you want to have the roof redone at the same time that it should be tackled by a contractor to be done correctly.

When you’re looking for a solar contractor, Colorado might seem like an unlikely place. Find out more at http://www.simplicity-solar.net/index.html.

Where can I find out if a home construction contractor is licensed and insured?

The last time I got an estimate from a contractor, he had insurance down as an added charge. Does this mean he doesn’t have insurance and is charging me for it – or what? Even if he does, why do I have to pay anything?

It means that contractor is passing the cost of insurance along to his customers – a typical practice in many businesses. Usually this would simply be listed as part of the “overhead” costs along with the cost of having an office, utilities, etc.

Perhaps the contractor thinks it is a selling point in showing he has insurance – and is openly showing how it affects his pricing, as opposed to just having higher rates than some of his competition.

I seriously doubt the contractor is buying insurance on a job by job basis – liability insurance is typically based on annual wages, not any particular jobs.

Just as you pay taxes on gas, and other merchandise, and pay a rate on your utility bill(s), if you want a contractor that is responsible enough to have insurance in the first place, it’s going to cost you one way or another. Either the contractor lists the cost as this one did (which I admit is rare, and perhaps a bit odd), or you’ll pay a higher rate than a contractor who does not have insurance. And if anything should happen to your home while that contractor (without insurance) is working on it – its going to REALLY cost you. I used to carry more insurance than the value of the typical home I worked on, even though it wasn’t required, when I was working.

As to how to find out if a contractor is licensed, you only need to contact your state licensing authority. If you live in a large metro area, it would be a good idea to check with them to make certain the contractor also has a business license to work there (this is required in some cities). For the insurance, you need to ask the contractor for the name of his insurance company. Some state agencies will list who the contractor had as their insurance provider when they registered with the agency – but that can change and not be reflected in the agency’s listing.

Good Luck

Body Of Kidnapped Contractor Returns Home

Electrician’s Exam Study Guide (McGraw-Hill’s Electrician’s Exam Study Guide) $20.90 Get 1,500 Exam-Style Questions and Answers to Help You Pass the Journeyman and Master Electrician Exams on the First Try! Turn to the Electrician’s Exam Study Guide for the knowledge, practice, and confidence needed to pass the Journeyman and Master Electrician exams with flying colors. This practical resource contains 1,500 questions_presented in the same format used on the actual ex…

Building Contractor’s Exam Preparation Guide $15.00 Passing today s contractor s exams can be a major task. This book shows you how to study, how questions are likely to be worded, and the kinds of choices usually given for answers. Includes sample questions from actual state, county, and city examinations, plus a sample exam to practice on. This book isn t a substitute for the study material that your testing board recommends, but it will help pre…

McGraw-Hill’s HVAC Licensing Study Guide $21.68 Get All the Practice Questions and Answers, Calculations, and Troubleshooting Tips You Need to Ace the major HVAC Licensing Exams! HVAC technicians and students alike can turn to the HVAC Licensing Study Guide for everything they need to prepare for and pass the major HVAC licensing exams on the very first try! Designed to boost confidence, skills, and knowledge, this unique career-bui…

You may have experience working with classified contracts. However, did you know how information is classified or who designates the level of classification? A review EO 12958 can give us those answers. Original Classification Authority is practiced by only certain designated individuals. This effective group is designed to assign a classification level based on various guidelines to certain information. Only a select group of individuals can designate classification levels to any product.

There are very specific rules or standards required of a product before that select group can assign it a level. These safeguards are in place for many reasons among a few include preventing arbitrary assignments which may become a burden to the user.

Only original classification authority can classify information. Again this is a select group of individuals. Specifically, only the President and in certain circumstances the Vice President, agency heads designated by the President in the Federal Register and appointed U.S. Government Officials.

As we will discover later, security clearances will be kept at the minimum amount necessary to accomplish the work efficiently. In the same manner, Agency heads are responsible for ensuring that only the minimum amount of subordinate officials has a validated need to delegate original classification. It is these Government’s checks and balances that ensure responsibility and accountability. Everything that is classified must be accounted for, documented and tracked throughout its existence.

The President and while performing executive duties, the Vice President and agency heads and officials designated by the President can delegate Top Secret original classification authority. Secret and Confidential designation authority can only be given to those mentioned above and senior agency officials. This designation responsibility comes with precautions as each one designation must be done so in writing listing the name or job title. The responsibility cannot be automatically re-delegated.

The Original Classification Authorities have to attend training as identified in the Executive Order and other directives. The training is similar to annual security awareness training the Facility Security Officers are required to offer employees with security clearances in that the training must include proper safeguarding of classified information and the criminal, civil and administrative penalties charged against those who fail to protect it from unauthorized disclosure.

In some cases, government employees, contractors or others may find themselves originating information they believe may be classified. They are not authorized to actually assign a classification. However, they are responsible for protecting the information as if it is classified at the level they believe it to be. In this case, they must transfer the information (with proper protection) to the agency having knowledge and classification authority for a determination. The agency will have 30 days to make a decision of whether or not to classify the item or send it to the Director Information Security Oversight Office. The Director will determine which agency the item should be sent to next for evaluation.

Hopefully this short article has given you a better understanding of how and why information is classified. Based on EO 12958, we have seen that classification isn’t issued arbitrarily and that there is a certain level of accountability for those who have been delegated as having the authority to assign original classification to information. Join us for future articles on how the Original Classification Authorities issue classification levels.

Follow Jeff’s ariticles, newsletters and updates @ [http://www.redbikepublishing.com/index_files/Page412.htm]

Jeffrey W. Bennett is the owner of Red Bike Publishing (http://www.redbikepublishing.com) He is an accomplished writer of non-fiction books, novels and periodicals. Published books include: “ISP Certification-The Industrial Security Professional Exam Manual”-Red Bike Publishing

About Red Bike Publishing: Our company is registered as a government contractor company with the CCR and VetBiz (DUNS 826859691). Specifically we are a service disabled veteran owned small business.

Please visit our website for more information.

how to get general Contractor License in california?

how to prepare to exams?

The best thing to do is check out the California State Contractors Board. Under the “applicant” section there is information on how to apply, what qualifications are needed, how to qualify for a waiver of the exam, application fees, how to study for the exams, what the different classifications are as far as what area you want to be licensed in. (Do you want general contractors, pipeline, etc.) And also information on what liability insurance is required.

I know that there are different companies that offer classes either in a classroom setting or online to help prepare you for the exam, as well as assist with completing all the forms correctly. However, these may cost, research them well before choosing one. On the website there are sample questions for each type of classification and a list of resources that may help with studying for the exams.

I hope this helps you. I have included a link to the website for you.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Electricians Pass the Electrical Exam and Pull Your Own Permits!

Researching a General Contractor in New York

This may come as a shock to many; the State of New York does not require a general contractor to have a state-issued license. Other large states like Illinois and Texas also do not require the GC to have a license, but these are in the minority. To be a general contractor New York, or a remodeling contractor New York, or in New York City, one can get a Home Improvement Contractor License. This process is officiated by the Department of Consumer Affairs.

The contractor New York with a satisfactory rating on the web can be your best bet. In addition to tracking down a report from the Better Business Bureau or checking with the above discussed Consumer Affairs agency, making sure that a contractor in New York has made other customers happy is a good indicator that you will be satisfied as well.

The procedure of researching a New York contractor should also include a determination on the status of their liability insurance. If something goes wrong in the building you live in as a result of the work being done in your apartment, liability insurance will become very important. The same goes for worker injuries or damaged property. Liability insurance data for a general contractor in NY can usually be found on the Buildings Information System website.

Be sure to make a checklist of places to read about a prospective contractor New York, from directory websites, to their own homepage, to government agencies to consumer agencies so that you can make the decision with all the facts.

About the Author

Myself webmaster of http://www.cityhammer.com dealing in all type of Home improvement and remodeling need such as interior designer New York, interior decorator New York, electrician New York, flooring New York, carpenter carpentry New York, cleaning service New York.

how do I get an application to apply for general contractors license for the state of florida?

Go to fl.gov and then to the Secretary of State site. You’ll find the forms there.

USA Contractors Inc. – General Contractor (usacontractors.biz)