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Can contractors, or small business in kitchen and bath remodeling still work.

We are a kitchen and bathroom remodeling business in south west Florida. We typically do whole kitchen and bathroom jobs: plumbing, electrical, cabinetry, countertop, flooring, drywall work. Would we have to close our business for the 30 day stay at home order in Florida? Or can we still operate but on a scale only necessary to complete jobs already in progress.

1 reply

Apr 1, 2020

Yes. Earlier today, Governor Desantis issued an executive order addressing this and construction is generally an essential order. Under the order, Essential Services are listed in three separate places: (1) the US Dep’t of Homeland Security’s guidance on critical infrastructure workforce, (2) the businesses and activities listed in Executive Order 20-89, and (3) other essential services approved by the State Coordinating Officer and the State Health Officer. First, construction is most clearly allowed under item #2 above – the list in Executive Order 20-89, which allows the following construction related activities: - Contractors and other tradesmen, appliance repair personnel, exterminators, and other service providers who provider services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and other structures; - Landscape and pool care businesses, including residential landscape and pool care services; - Open construction sites, irrespective of the type of building; - Architectural, engineering, or land surveying services. Second, construction is also allowed under item #1 above. Most of that list can be found at www.cisa.gov, but it can be vague. Many specific types of construction are allowed, for example telecommunications towers. But, under the public works and infrastructure support services, the following are specifically allowed, which should encompass most construction: - Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, builders, contractors, HVAC technicians, landscapers, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, businesses, and buildings such as hospitals, senior living facilities, any temporary construction required to support COVID-19 response. - Workers in hardware and building material stores, consumer electronics, technology and appliances retail, and related merchant wholesalers and distributors. - Workers performing housing construction related activities - Workers supporting the construction of housing, including those supporting government functions related to the building and development process, such as inspections, permitting and plan review services, etc.. Third, the State Coordinator’s list will be available at www.floridadisaster.org and www.floridahealth.gov. Nothing new is listed on either website yet, but you should check there for updates. If you want to download a copy of the order, visit https://hammerngavel.com/blog/governor-desantis-issues-statewide-stay-at-home-order-commercial-and-residential-construction-still-deemed-essential-businesses You can also visit www.naritb.org to view construction and remodeling-specific resources for Florida contractors dealing with COVID-19 and all the different orders. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

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