Posts Tagged ‘Unlicensed General Contracting in Florida’

Florida Contractors Licensing Issues

Thursday, June 14th, 2012

If your Florida contractors license was suspended unexpectedly and you aren’t sure why, it’s possible that the suspension is for failing to comply with the disciplinary actions taken against your license by the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) or failure to comply with the terms of probation on your license. If the CILB has taken disciplinary action against your license or placed your license on a term of probation, you may have items that require your compliance in order to maintain your license in a current active status. It could also be that you may have outstanding fines or investigative costs that you owe to the Department; or you may have failed to provide proof of restitution made to a homeowner.

If you were given a period of probation, you may not have complied with the terms of that probation. You may have even been ordered to take additional continuing education hours, but haven’t provided proof that they have been completed.  All of these things must be considered. 

Attorney Lars K. Soreide, of the Soreide Law Group, PLLC, will represent you in front of the Florida Board of Contractors regarding licensing issues. To make an appointment to speak with an experienced and qualified attorney please call Soreide Law Group at: (888) 760-6552 or visit our website at: www.floridaprofessionallicense.com .

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What Requires Licensing for Contractors in the State of Florida?

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

This information was found on Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s website.

A Contractor is someone who demolishes, subtracts from, builds or improves any building or structure for compensation.  Examples of compensation are cash, goods, services, etc.  Essentially, if you pay someone to construct a building or a structure, make structural alterations to load bearing walls, or perform services such as plumbing or air conditioning work, that person has to have a state contractors’ license. 

These items are offered as examples of services you do need to hire a person with a Florida license and services you do not need to hire a person with a Florida license.  The list is not all inclusive.  If you have specific questions, please contact the department at 850.487.1395 or review the rules for the profession at www.myfloridalicense.com.  You should also check with your county or city to learn whether or not a local business tax receipt or certificate of competency is required for services that do not require a state license.  

Needs a License Does not need a license
Build a carport or sunroom for compensation. Install a driveway or install pavers/tile walkways regardless of compensation.
Construct a roof for compensation. Install awnings that do not become a fixed part of the structure regardless of compensation.
Install a dishwasher (requires connecting to drinking water) or replace a hot-water heater for compensation. Add a water filter onto a faucet regardless of compensation.
Install a central air-conditioning unit for compensation (requires structural work and wiring). Insert a plug-in A/C window unit regardless of compensation.
Clean central air and heat ducts for compensation (requires partial disassembly of the system, such as removal of air grills). Change an A/C filter or cleaning ducts that do not require removal of the air grills regardless of compensation.
Repair or replace swimming pool pumps for compensation. Clean swimming pools.Install an above-ground pool regardless of compensation.
Perform plumbing work or irrigation installation that requires the contractor to connect lines to potable (drinking) water for compensation. Install or repair irrigation systems that have a backflow preventer connected to a potable (drinking) water supply regardless of compensation.
Build a barn, metal building, or detached garage for compensation. Install prefabricated tool shed less than 250 square feet in size regardless of compensation. The shed may be up to 400 square feet if it bears the insignia of approval from the Department of Community Affairs.
Remodel a home that requires alteration or replacement of a load-bearing wall for compensation. Paint; install cabinets, wood or tile flooring, and insulation regardless of compensation.
Installation or replacement of drywall if the contract also includes work on the load bearing part of the wall, plumbing, electrical, or air conditioning work. Installation or replacement of drywall if the contract does not include other work on the load bearing part of the wall or any plumbing, electrical, or air conditioning work.

Soreide Law Group, PLLC, will represent you in front of the Florida Board of Contractors regarding licensing issues. To make an appointment to speak with an experienced and qualified attorney please call Soreide Law Group at:  (888) 760-6552 or visit our website at:  www.floridaprofessionallicense.com   .

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Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation “Stings” Unlicensed Contractors in Key Largo

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Key Largo—On Aug. 23, it was announced that the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Regulation partnered with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the county Code Compliance Office and the State Attorney for the 16th Judicial Circuit to execute a sting operation that resulted in the arrest of two individuals, John Bowen Jr. and Michael Quintana, for unlicensed contracting.

The article says that a sting operation is an operation in which suspected unlicensed individuals are invited to a decoy jobsite and asked to provide an estimate for work that requires a state license. Once they provide that estimate and fail to provide their state-required license, they are arrested. In addition to the arrest, investigators provide information on how to obtain a license. The ultimate goal is to bring the individuals into compliance with state law and protect consumers.

Below are precautions that consumers can take to help protect themselves from unlicensed individuals:

Check whether a state license is required for the work to be performed by visiting “What Services Require a DBPR License.”

  • Always ask to see the State of Florida license.
  • Note the license number and verify that the license is current. To check a license, call 850-487-1395 or visit MyFloridaLicense.com.
  • Ask for references and check each one.
  • Do not pay cash and be cautious of writing checks made payable to individuals, especially when dealing with a company.
  • Get a Release of Lien covering all workers and materials. This removes your property from the threat of lien.
  • Get everything in writing, including a detailed description of the work to be completed, a completion date and the total cost.

The DBPR reminds us that the department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The department licenses more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from real estate agents, veterinarians, and accountants to contractors and cosmetologists. For more information, please visit MyFloridaLicense.com.

This information was obtained from Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s website.

Soreide Law Group, PLLC, will represent you in front of the Florida Board of Contractors regarding licensing issues. To make an appointment to speak with an experienced and qualified attorney please call Soreide Law Group at:  (888) 760-6552 or visit our website at:  www.floridaprofessionallicense.com  

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The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Sweeps Tampa Area for Unlicensed Contractors

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

 

TAMPA, On June 23, 2010, The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Regulation investigators swept Pasco, Pinellas, Hernando and Hillsborough counties for unlicensed electrical and general contracting. Investigators visited 23 sites, checked 70 licenses and issued six citations for unlicensed electrical contracting and 13 citations for unlicensed general contracting. A sweep involves checking licenses to ensure compliance with state laws.

The sweep was part of the statewide unlicensed activity operation. This effort is part of the division’s three-tiered approach to combating unlicensed activity through education, prevention and enforcement.

Soreide Law Group, PLLC, will represent you in front of the Florida Board of Contractors. To make an appointment to speak with an experienced and qualified attorney please call Soreide Law Group at:  (888) 760-6552 or visit our website at:  www.floridaprofessionallicense.com  

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