1. How is one school any different from another?

Answer: THIS IS HUGE! You need to prepare to pass the exam. You need help setting up a successful money-making business. You are going to make a large commitment of time to do so. NO TWO SCHOOLS ARE THE SAME!

Some of the things you should consider when choosing a school:

1. Do they employ Professional Trainers?
2. Can they help you with questions before and after you are licensed?
3. Do they provide additional SUCCESS tools beyond the exam?
4. Have they DECADES of experience doing this type of training?
5. Do they create their materials or simply purchase materials from smarter people?

2. When did the law change?

Answer: June First, 2008.

3. Who needs to be licensed?

Answer: Notwithstanding some minor legal exceptions, if you are contracting work or performing work for the following trades, you need to have a license.

1. Carpentry
2. Painting and Decorating
3. Tile and Marble
4. Siding or Insulation
5. Excavation
6. Concrete or Masonry
7. Roofing or Gutters
8. Waterproofing
9. Swimming Pools
10. Demolition

4. Are there any penalties for not being properly licensed?

Answer: $5,000 to $25,000 or more for multiple offenses. The potential for JAIL sentences. You may also have to pay additional monies under the guise of "Restitution" to correct any problems or errors.

5. Are there exceptions to the licensing requirement?

Answer: The law does provide for a few exceptions. Most notably, a homeowner doing the work themselves under legal permit may not have to have a license. A trade working exclusively under a licensed builder may not have to have a license in some situations.

There is also a "$600" provision that applies to the aggregate cost of a small project on a home or an adjunct of a residential occupancy. This provision, in essence, says a license MAY NOT be required for qualifying projects that fall under $600. BE CAREFUL TRYING TO CIRCUMVENT THE LAW WITH THIS ONE!

6. What other risks are there to being unlicensed?

Answer: Many. One of the biggest risks you take is if a situation should arise where you need to count on your insurance to cover a risk. Most policies will NOT PAY if you were required to be licensed, but were not. Additionally, a homeowner DOES NOT HAVE TO PAY you for work you performed if a license was required and you did not have it.

Working without a license may negate your right to a lien.

7. Can I "grandfather" into the education requirements with my past building experience?

Answer: Those who were properly and legally licensed when the effective date of the law passed, were allowed to retain their licenses subject to the normal fees and Continuing Education requirements. No other "grandfathering" provision applies.

8. What if I took and passed my builder's licensing exam before June 1^st, 2008, but I did not fulfill the additional requirements to obtain my license?

Answer: You must begin the process anew from step one.  You must complete 60 hours of approved pre-license training from a licensed school before applying to take the examination. No credit is given for what you did prior to June 1^st, 2008.

9. Can I perform work using someone else's license?

Answer: NO. Not legally. That would be a FRAUD and it could come back to haunt you years down the road - when you have even more to lose.

10. If a homeowner knows I don't have a license, aren't they equally "guilty"?

Answer: NOT AT ALL! Just because two consenting adults agree to commit an illegal act does not make it legal. Additionally, in most such situations an owner will claim ignorance and the law typically does not hold them to the same standard of knowledge as it will hold you.

11. I've been told if the work being performed does not require a permit, I do not have to be licensed. Is this true?

Answer: NO. The license requirement applies whether a permit is involved or not.

12. What are my chances of success on the test if I have never actually built anything before?

Answer: The test does not assume you can physically build, nor does it require that type experience. Our experience shows you may have a higher statistical chance of passing the test WITHOUT prior building experience! Call us today!

13. I failed the exam in the past. Can ABLE help me over come my bad testing experience?

Answer: Absolutely! Our classes are interactive discussion formats. Studies have found adult learners perform much better with LOWER STRESS in this type of environment. We can offer private tutoring if it is needed.

14. What if I already took a course from another school, but still failed the exam?

Answer: Call us for a private consultation. We may be ABLE to help you without requiring you to re-take the 60 hour program - even if you made the mistake of going to another school! This option can save you money and get you through the exam.

15. I have always had difficulty passing written exams. What do I do?

Answer: Call ABLE NOW! We can offer alternatives that may take advantage of your strengths to help you successfully complete the exam.