How to Be a Landscape Contractor
The FNGLA Certified Landscape Contractor (FCLC) program is the only standard for measuring the knowledge of practicing landscape architects in Florida and is the highest level of certification available to Florida landscape installation professionals. You must meet your state`s criteria for practical work experience. The number of practical hours required varies depending on the licensing authority. You will look for proof that you have sufficient skills in planning, landscaping, irrigation, planting and hardware use, as well as knowledge of safety measures and aesthetic approaches. EDITOR`S NOTE: This article was written by Todd Bryant. Bryant is president and founder of Bryant Surety Bonds. He is a warranty expert with years of experience in helping entrepreneurs get involved and start their business. Earn a bachelor`s degree in contract and landscaping management, landscaping or horticulture. While a bachelor`s degree is not required to become a landscaping entrepreneur, a degree provides basic knowledge in topics such as park, playground, and campus design and can contribute to your professional credibility. According to Penn Statue University, there are a variety of opportunities for graduates in landscape contracts, e.B. for design offices, landscaping companies, garden centers, golf courses, communities or botanical gardens. In most states, you need to get a landscape contractor license to do landscaping work.
As a general rule, the licence requirement for the performance of certain activities or for a project of a certain amount comes into force. Tendering for public and private landscaping projects usually implies that the contractor is duly authorised. State agencies want to verify that licensed landscape architects are familiar with their landscaping knowledge and can handle related safety issues. Other common topics that can be tested during the permit review include ecology, fertilizers, land use, drainage, and erosion control. Obtain an associate degree from a community college or technical school. The University of Massachusetts, which offers an associate degree in landscape contracts, says landscape procurement is an important part of the “green industries” that cover companies that grow, market, produce, design and maintain plants, trees, lawns and landscapes. Some schools offer a two-year landscaping contract program focused on horticulture, small-scale land design and landscaping. These programs typically include courses such as business concepts for the landscaping industry, landscape estimating and tendering, and landscaping.
First, there are a few personal requirements that you need to fulfill before you can apply for a landscaping contractor`s permit: Here are some of the basics of getting a landscaping contractor`s license in the United States. Let`s start with the definition. According to the State of California, a landscaping contractor is one who builds, installs, maintains or repairs the development of landscaping (which is anything that aesthetically or horticulturally improves the land to be greened). The full language can be found here. In short, if you plan to work with, maintain, or upgrade the real estate terrain, the State of California considers you a landscape contractor, which means you`ll need a license from a contractor to work legally. To obtain a bond and meet your government`s licensing requirements, you must cover a small percentage of the required bond amount – the bond premium. So if you need to get a $10,000 deposit to become a landscape gardener in North Carolina, you may only have to pay $100 to $300 to get it. The better your personal and professional finances, the lower the costs of your obligations. To become a landscaping contractor, you do not need to meet the formal post-secondary education requirements. However, training in landscaping or horticulture is certainly a plus.
Get a license from a landscape architect. Licensing requirements vary from state to state. Some states require experience in landscaping and a licensing or certification exam to ensure contractors understand pesticide safety laws. Licensing exams for landscape architects typically require knowledge of landscape design, equipment installation, contract estimation, and safety procedures. Since the exam takes place on a computer, you will receive the results immediately after answering the questions. If you are successful, you will receive a Contractor License and Bond Activation Number, and your license will be viewed by mail. (However, if you failed the exam, all is not lost. You can repeat it as many times as the CSLB can reschedule you within 18 months – pay a $60 fee each time.) Gain hands-on experience to learn the profession of landscaper. Get a job in landscaping or horticulture.
This work provides valuable training in skills and knowledge in areas such as landscaping and renovation; permits; maintenance of irrigation systems, ponds and water bodies; retaining walls, terraces, paths, drainage and erosion control; tree and flower plants; the appropriate use of professional equipment; Security procedures and artistic landscape concepts. Landscape architects oversee the installation and maintenance of residential or commercial landscapes designed by landscape architects or designers. Often, they are general contractors who build structures, move and handle stones, install irrigation and build water features. As there are no formal requirements for education, entry into the field is possible through both experience and education. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary of construction managers in 2010 was $83,860 per year, and the expected employment growth through 2020 is 17 percent. Candidates must pass a comprehensive four-part online written exam to demonstrate their knowledge of the business aspects of running a landscape business. A number of states, such as Oregon and North Carolina, require landscape contractors to provide a guarantee for contractor licenses. The purpose of bonding is to provide an additional layer of protection to the state and the contractor`s customers. The bond ensures that the landscape gardener fulfills his contractual obligations in a timely and good quality manner. In this sense, it is a proof of the financial responsibility of the landscape gardener. Each section must be passed with at least 70% to obtain FCLC certification after passing the FCHP and FCLT certification exams.
The sections include: You take the C-27 Landscaping License exam at one of the CSLB test centers. There are eight across the state, in Berkeley, Fresno, Norwalk, Oxnard, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego and San Jose. .