The Bottom Line
Department of Business and Professional Regulation
October 2, 2015
Dear Friends,
As September comes to a close and National Preparedness Month ends, DBPR wants to remind Floridians to be aware of the necessary precautions to help families, friends, businesses and homes stay safe and stand strong for not only the rest of hurricane season, but also year-round. With several tropical depressions nearly impacting Florida this hurricane season, it’s crucial to always be prepared in the case of a natural disaster. Although natural occurrences can’t be prevented, Floridians can prevent becoming a victim of unlicensed activity.
Unlicensed contractors take advantage of the large amount of work to be done by offering to repair damaged homes or businesses and leave without finishing the job once they’ve received payment. The steps Floridians can take to prevent this from happening are to always verify a contractor’s license, choose the right contractor and know what should be included in a contract. When choosing a contractor to repair your home or business, make sure to contact your insurance agent to verify that your insurance covers the repairs, get written estimates from several licensed contractors, check references and always verify licenses at www.myfloridalicense.com.
A contractor’s state license from DBPR should include the license number, license date, expiration date and company name. Be sure to check out these credentials prior to signing any contracts. Once a consumer reaches the contract stage, they should also be aware of what needs to be included on a contract. A contract should have the contractors name, street address, telephone number, state license number from DBPR, a description of work to be completed, a completion date, warranty agreements and a notice of consumers’ rights under the Florida Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund for contracts involving general, residential and building contractors. These items are necessary to ensure you don’t fall victim to the dangers of hiring an unlicensed contractor.
During National Preparedness Month, DBPR’s Division of Regulation successfully conducted two sting operations targeting unlicensed individuals in Manatee and Sarasota Counties. There were 11 Cease and Desist notices issued in Sarasota County for offering to perform electrical and construction services that require a state-issued professional license. In Manatee County, there were 13 Cease and Desist notices and one citation issued.
Remember to always be on the lookout for unlicensed construction activity. Consumers are able to verify licenses online or on the free DBPR Mobile app. Floridians can also report unlicensed activity by calling the Unlicensed Activity Hotline at (866) 532-1440, by using the DBPR Mobile app or by filing a complaint at [email protected]. Stay prepared during the remainder of the Atlantic hurricane season and make sure to take precautionary measures to ensure your homes and businesses stay safe from unlicensed activity.
Sincerely,
Ken Lawson
Secretary
Department of Business and
Professional Regulation