Workers’ compensation could help cover the medical costs and a portion of lost wages for an employee who becomes ill or injured during work. Discover if you’re eligible to include Workers’ Compensation coverage to your handyman insurance package.

With his signature on June 20, Gov. Rick Scott and Florida lawmakers disbanded the scandal-plagued Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority and rechristened it as the Central Florida Expressway Authority, which has a new board. Three Florida counties already have appointed new board members, and Scott will appoint the remaining ones.

Handyman insurance can help shield you from things like injuries or property damage that could result in devastating lawsuits. In many cases having insurance is the law or an requirement in order to get a job. At HandymanInsurance.com we make getting an insurance quote easy just by clicking on the start quote link provide at the top of our home page.

When the project team for Winthrop University Hospital’s new research building approached J&A Concrete about foundation work, the subcontractor was happy to provide a quote—along with an alternative proposal for a much different foundation package that shaved $2 million off the cost.

Unfortunately many individuals occupy the roads without having a policy in place. This is not only illegal but can lead to fines, suspension of driving privileges and even lawsuits if they cause an accident. Many of these drivers believe that they simply cannot afford the state’s minimum coverage requirements and risk driving uninsured. By comparing several companies a person should be able to find affordable protection, for those who cannot there may be an alternative.

State programs such as the California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program have been developed and made available to motorists to help residents. These programs were introduced to help keep uninsured drivers off of the roadways and help motorists obtain affordable coverage to help them drive legally and also have a way to pay for any injuries and damages that they may cause with their automobile.

Some state program’s limits of liability of the program are lower than that of the required minimum if purchased on one’s own. One should compare rates of policies with the state’s requirements with that of the program’s cost and see if they are comparable. Consumers may be able to afford more protection and avoid future financial burden stemming from an accident. There are certain eligibility requirements by state and one should contact their state’s Department of Insurance for full details regarding the program.

Contractors modernizing a 55-year-old, legendary Southeast racetrack are pushing the limits of technology as they scramble to complete the complex project.

At Barton Malow Co.’s Daytona Beach, Fla., construction office, just down the street from the Daytona International Speedway, numerous wooden tables completely fill a large back office. But instead of printed blueprints, contractors focus intently on their smart boards, Apple TV screens and iPads as they race to transform NASCAR’s most well-known racetrack

On November 25th, the DOD, GSA and NASA issued a final rule incorporating a new clause into the FAR regarding accelerated payments to small business subcontractors on Government projects. The new rule, which takes effect December 26, 2013, requires large business prime contractors receiving accelerated payments from the Government to, in turn, accelerate payments to all of their small business subcontractors. The purpose of the new clause is to ensure that small business subcontractors are paid as promptly as possible.

The clause will be inserted into all new solicitations and resulting contracts issued after the effective date, including those contracts for the acquisition of commercial items. Unfortunately, the rule does not create any new remedies, where accelerated payments must be issued and they are not. Under such circumstances, the Government can discontinue accelerated payment to the prime contractor, but nothing more.

One interesting aspect of the new rule is that large business prime contractors cannot prevent their small business subcontractors from speaking to the contracting officer about the status of payment. Subcontract Agreements often state the exact opposite. Prime contractors typically do not want their subcontractors asking the contracting officers questions of any kind, let alone questions regarding payment. While this is certainly understandable, by virtue of the new rule, large business prime contractors will not have the same legal support for their position.

There’s not a lot to sink your teeth into here. However, the fact that small business subcontractors can go right to the contracting officer about payment issues without fear of legal retribution is at least something. If you have any questions about this, or other, aspects of the new rule, please contact us. The information contained above was reported yesterday by Law360.

A Contractors State License Board (CSLB) special investigation target, Ronald “Russell” Clawson, 27, of Napa, is now in the Napa County Jail, beginning to serve a six-month sentence. Clawson was ordered into custody at a sentencing hearing in Napa County Superior Court on May 27, 2010. Clawson has failed to pay any of the court-ordered $49,304 in restitution he owed for using the license number of a legitimate CSLB licensee—who is also named Clawson—and ripping off consumers. Three northern Californians paid the unlicensed Clawson for what resulted in incomplete, substandard work.

One Napa woman paid Clawson $8,300 to remodel her kitchen. CSLB Investigators found that Clawson abandoned the project, leaving the woman’s stove in her living room, and her kitchen sink and a pile of construction debris in her backyard. Testimony from investigators and a CSLB industry expert helped the judge determine Clawson should pay $33,908 to reimburse the victim for her payment to Clawson and to clean up the mess he made of her home.

CSLB initiated a special investigation into Clawson in March 2009 after being alerted by Napa County officials about an elderly, blind resident who hired Clawson to build three small sheds at a Yountville rental property. The victim paid more than $8,000, but Clawson did not complete the work and failed to pull the necessary permits from the local building department.

Meanwhile, the legitimate licensee complained to CSLB that a consumer he had never met in Fairfield (Solano County) had filed a claim against his contractor license bond. CSLB’s Special Investigation Unit determined that the unlicensed Clawson was using that legitimate contractor’s license number on business cards, claiming he was the licensee’s son. Clawson was ordered to pay $10,096 in restitution to the Napa man, and $5,300 to the Fairfield man who paid Clawson that amount to build and install an entertainment center that was never delivered.

On November 20, 2009, Clawson pleaded no contest to four counts of elder abuse, identity theft, grand theft, and fraudulent use of a contractor license number. As part of the plea agreement, Clawson was to make full restitution by the date of his sentencing hearing, and then serve a six-month jail sentence. Because he has not paid any restitution, Clawson was sent directly to jail to begin the six-month sentence and was placed on felony probation for three years. Violation of that probation, including failure to make restitution, could send him to state prison for up to six years.

“Sometimes jail is the only way to stop unlicensed people who defraud consumers,” said CSLB Registrar Steve Sands. “It also highlights the importance of checking a contractor’s license and verifying identification before you agree to a home improvement contract.”

Tres Amigas and Broadview Energy recently announced agreements have been reached in a move designed to guarantee the viability of the project that backers hope will lead to the development and construction of up to 500 megawatts of wind energy generation in northeast New Mexico.

Getting a first car can be a very exciting time, but make sure the cost of insuring it is affordable; a consumer guide provided by the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance suggests that teens check premium rates before buying an automobile. The main reason behind this is that the cost of insuring vehicles can vary significantly due to many reasons such as safety features and the cost of repairing it; even if two automobiles are in the same class, the price to insure them will be different.

Another way to reduce premiums is to shop around and shop frequently; once a teen has found an insurer that can offer them the cheapest coverage they should be sure to periodically compare rates, especially at time of renewal. The reason why it is important to occasionally comparison shop is that the insurer who may have been the cheapest at one point may no longer be the most affordable; comparing rates is the only way to make sure the best price is being paid for coverage. Although young motorists pay more than any other age group, there are ways to save and reduce premiums and driving safe is the key to making policies more affordable.

A San Francisco start-up hopes to save U.S. contractors billions of dollars in equipment rental fees and lost revenue with the rollout of a new online equipment-rental market model.  ncubated in Silicon Valley, YardClub.com aims to expand the service to Southern California, the East Coast and cities throughout the U.S. in the next six months.

Make sure to store all chair cushions when not in use. If you want your chair cushions to remain in good condition, put them away. Store them and take them out only when you are going to use them. Otherwise, exposure to the natural elements will stain them or the cushion fabric will begin to look old and faded. If you are not going to store them when not in use, make sure that you invest in a good waterproof fabric.

Auto insurance premiums are heavily based on drivers and their driving history and since a newly licensed teen does not have a record operating an automobile, their rates remain more costly than older age groups until they gain enough experience to prove that they are responsible drivers.

Although insurers may not have a driving history to go by, there are other ways teens can reduce the cost of coverage. Most importantly, teenagers and all drivers for that matter, need to drive safely and obey traffic laws at all times; driving irresponsibly and ignoring traffic laws increases the chances of obtaining tickets and being involved in traffic accidents which in turn will lead to increased rates. On the other hand, if a teenager maintains a clean driving record for three years they may be eligible for a good driver discount that can reduce premiums significantly.

Eight years after being flooded and damaged by Hurricane Katrina, the Audubon Nature Institute is embarking on an $8.5 million project to reconstruct facilities at the Nature Center.

Steve Dorand, senior vice president of design for the Audubon Nature Institute, says the new facility will span approximately 13,000 sq-ft in three adjacent and connected buildings. It will include classrooms, a planetarium and an 8,500-sq-ft exhibit pavilion.

Keep your umbrella closed when you are not using it.  If left open, dirt, debris and leaves can stain the umbrella.  If you do not want to close it, consider getting a cover.  This may seem like extra work and expense, but you will not be dealing with a dirty umbrella at the end of the season or having to think about replacing it.

Motorists have a lot to choose from and some important decisions to make when looking to insure their vehicles, themselves and their assets and in some cases it can become a bit confusing. There are many options that are available and offered by insurance providers and while choosing which types of protection can be beneficial in the event of a loss, consumers must also take their budget into consideration; so the most important issue a motorist faces when purchasing an automobile policy is getting properly insured at an affordable rate.

Most states make auto insurance coverage mandatory, but in many cases the mandated minimums may just not be enough. Of course, the first step to obtaining the right protection from perils is to satisfy the law, but consumers must determine whether or not the legal requirements will adequately cover losses resulting from an accident.

States generally require liability, whether for bodily injury, physical damage or both and in some states the required limits are high, but in others they are significantly low, especially when compared to the cost of medical care and the value of certain automobiles. Making the right choice in options when purchasing vehicle policies can be crucial and being covered more adequately can be worth paying a little extra.

During a 2010 preconstruction meeting with the owner-developer of Seattle’s super-sustainable Bullitt Center, the 50,000-sq-ft project’s consulting engineer had a minor meltdown over electric-plug loads—the silent killer of green-building power conservation. Paul Schwer’s eventual victory over his plug-load agita exemplifies the way the job’s team members often were forced to exit their comfort zones during the $30-million project. In doing so, they not only improved Bullitt Center, they created an example for others to follow.

Weather-Strip Doors you doors is import for summer as well as winter. If air is escaping through your door, you are not just losing heat in winter and cool air in summer, you are wasting money on your energy bill.  Stopping the problem may be as simple as weather-stripping  the offending area.  This is a fairly easy task to perform yourself.

Comparing Free auto insurance Quotes: When consumers go to compare the rates of insurers they should get quotes on different scenarios, most importantly higher limits than what the state may require. Certain states have very low requirements and comparing the price of more protection may take time that motorists may not want to spend, but after all getting quotations is free and it can be worth the while if better coverage is found at an affordable rate.

In a number of states, the requirement for property damage liability is very low such as California which only requires $5,000; if a person has ever been to Beverly Hills or seen the city on TV or in movies they can see that cars in that area can cost well over that amount.

If a person were to cause an accident with a vehicle of high value they may find themselves paying for any remaining repair costs that exceed this amount and of course this is just an example; with the price of automobiles nowadays, this could happen in any part of the state. Protecting against a situation like this can be only a matter of getting quotations on higher limits to see if they are affordable.

Comparing free quotes can also help consumers to realize that some additional coverage can be obtained. Many states do not require uninsured or underinsured motorist or medical payments on policies which can all be very beneficial and contrary to the belief of many motorists these additions to policies can be relatively cheap.

Although it may seem like a hassle to compare various options and get rates from various companies to see if better coverage can be purchased it does not have to be. Comparison websites will allow motorists to obtain quotations based on basic policies, additional protection and fully extensive coverage to help ensure that consumers purchase the policy that is best at a price that they can afford; of course this is provided free of charge and with no obligation to buy. Even state websites provide the same service such as the Texas Department of Insurance which allows residents to check the rates of the most popular insurers based on specific scenarios.

Since comparing the price of premiums does not cost a thing, it is highly encouraged that motorists do so before purchasing a policy to avoid becoming underinsured when they could have bought a better policy.

Utility and rail infrastructure for Tucson’s Sun Link is complete and light rail service will begin in July — the first such service since the Old Pueblo Trolley was suspended when Sun Link began construction in 2011.

Many commercial paints contain up to 10,000 chemicals, over 300 of which are known toxins; 150 of those are known to cause cancer.  There is a dangerous subcategory of these chemicals called volatile organic compounds that can leech out of paint for years.

Fortunately, there are alternatives to paints with VOCs. These paints are identified as low-VOC or no-VOC paints. In fact, most major paint manufacturers have begun making paints that have very little or no harmful chemicals.

The Lone Star state mandates that all motorists are able to pay for any injuries and/or damages that may cause as a result of a traffic collision; this law is enforced by the majority of the United States and is known as the Financial Responsibility Law.

The main goal behind this law is to help ensure that compensation is in place for individual who have been involved in a traffic collision; it is also intended to help protect residents from uninsured motorists by adapting strict penalties for those who are caught operating an automobile without the proper coverage.

According to the Texas Department of Insurance, there are approximately 4 million registered vehicles that are potentially uninsured. To help keep uninsured motorists off of the roadways the state has developed a system called TexasSure, the “financial responsibility verification program” which allow designated departments to electronically confirm whether or not a vehicle has a valid Texas car insurance policy; for example, a law enforcement officer will be able to verify policy status electronically on a routine traffic stop or at the scene of an accident.

Kenneth Bowyer of All Crane Rental of Florida won the 2014 MCM & CIC Crane Operator Skills Championship last week in Las Vegas, Nev., beating out other operators from throughout the U.S. and Canada, including two entrants who qualified at CONEXPO-CON/AGG

As mentioned, the state requirements will not pay for damages to the insured’s vehicle and the motorist would have to purchase a policy which includes Comprehensive and Collision to cover property damage; this will compensate the policyholder if their automobile is damaged minus the amount of the deductible chosen when coverage was purchased.

Adding this additional protection may not be beneficial to all; if a vehicle’s value is low it may be a better idea to opt not to purchase this coverage if the annual premium and deductible exceeds the automobile’s worth. On the other hand, some motorists may be in need of this additional coverage; those who own a high end car may want to insure it due to the fact that it can be quite expensive to repair or replace it and those who are financing automobiles will usually be required by their financial institution to maintain comprehensive and collision on their policies during the length of the loan as part of the loan agreement.

Some call it an indication of an all-out recovery while others describe it as just a gradual upswing, but most agree that the dramatic increase in the number of construction cranes in and around metro New York last year is, indeed, a good sign. While many of the megaprojects, especially in transportation, have been a long time in the making, they started up along with numerous high-end residential and mixed-use towers—helping to bolster the region’s construction activity and make industry executives more optimistic than they have been in the last few years.