Expand Your Contractor Career by Joining a Trade Organization  

As a contractor, you know how important it is to be properly licensed in the state of Florida or Georgia. You’ve invested in your career by getting this license. You can expand your career and this investment in yourself by joining a trade organization.  

Belonging to a trade organization has many benefits that can help you expand your professional connections/contact, gain recognition for your work, and generate new business opportunities. Many trade organizations do charge annual dues, but it is money well spent.   

Trade organizations provide access to new information and updates in the building and construction industries – whether it’s through monthly magazines or newsletters, emails, or online blogs and forums. Being “in the know” and staying informed could give you a leg up on the competition, especially when it comes to up-and-coming trends. 

 Trade organizations often provide opportunities for education, training and professional development, and organize regular networking events such as conferences and seminars. Some groups provide access to legal experts, while others offer discounts and special rates to members. 

 Here are five trade organizations related to the building and contracting trades (some may have regional or local chapters in Florida and Georgia): 

—Associated Builders and Contractors: With a membership of more than 21,000 professionals across 70 chapters, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) advocates for open competition and a free-enterprise approach that awards contracts based on merit (and not union affiliation). 

—Associated General Contractors of America: Associated General Contractors of America (known as AGC) represents more than 26,000 firms, including more than 9,000 specialty-contracting firms. Its powerful advocacy wing supports federal infrastructure spending, and its guiding principles include philanthropy and workplace diversity. 

—National Association of Home Builders: The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is comprised of more than 800 state and local associations; about one-third of its members are homebuilders or remodelers. Members can participate in councils that focus on specific disciplines within the home building industry and have access to a wealth of information and experts. 

—National Association of Women in Construction: The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWC) is a network group with a mission to enhance the success of women in the industry. It provides members with opportunities for professional development and leadership training, among other benefits. 

—American Subcontractors Association: The American Subcontractors Association (ACA) seeks to improve the business environment in the construction industry through reforms, and represents the interests of subcontractors, specialty contractors, and materials suppliers. It maintains professional standards of practice for members to follow when bidding and executing contracts. 

You don’t need to join a trade organization to be a successful contractor, but you must have a contractor license to work legally.  

At Licenses, Etc., we are a Florida contractor licensing company who help individuals and companies navigate the state’s licensing requirements, with approvals as quick as 10 days. For more information on contractor requirements or to get an application started, visit our Florida contractor license  page or call 239-777-1028.