Fact! It is illegal for an unauthorized person to perform contract work on a project valued at $500 or more in combined labour and material costs. The by-laws stipulate what an unlicensed contractor is not allowed to do. You can`t: On the other hand, if you hire a licensed contractor, you have peace of mind that all the work has been paid for and is guaranteed. If your contractor doesn`t deliver what you paid, you can discuss it with their insurance or surety company. Visit the Contractors State License Board website to create reports on unauthorized activities. If you`ve read this far, you may already be convinced that hiring an unlicensed contractor can cause a lot of headaches. But I avoided one of the most serious consequences for the end. A general contractor may engage in any activity requiring authorization as a contractor in accordance with Chapter 489. However, a specialized contractor may carry out only those contractual activities for which he is expressly authorized. Public order in California is clear – the state doesn`t want unlicensed contractors to be paid for work that should be done by a licensed contractor.
Working with an unlicensed contractor could indeed get you into trouble due to fraudulent practices if you don`t inform the city and get permission first. Have you ever hired an unlicensed contractor or found that someone you hired didn`t have a license? Has an unlicensed contractor ever tried to raise money from you? Do you think it`s unfair that even an unlicensed contractor who does a solid job can`t collect unpaid bills? Or do you agree that the law should prevent unauthorized activities as much as possible? Imagine if the planning and construction sector were not regulated at all. What could go wrong if unlicensed contractors had a free hand to bid on all your renovations? Remodeling your home should be a joyful and exciting time for your family. Don`t let an unlicensed entrepreneur turn the experience into a nightmare you can`t afford or forget. In addition, a person who uses the services of a contractor without a licence is a victim of a crime and may be entitled to compensation for his or her economic losses, whether or not that person knows that the contractor was not licensed. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 7028, 7028.16. A registered contractor`s licence is issued by some municipalities, and a person may only perform contract work in the municipality that issued the registered contractor`s licence. Unlicensed contracts can be a crime or misdemeanor, depending on the facts. The first offence may result in a first-degree offence that includes penalties or the person receiving 12 months of probation, up to one year in prison and a fine of $1,000.
Other offenses are considered third-degree crimes under Florida`s 775,083 law. A third-degree crime can result in up to five years in jail or probation and a $5,000 fine. Allowing work to be done by an unlicensed contractor can also invalidate your landlord`s insurance policy in case a claim arises as a result of that work. In addition, any crime committed by an unlicensed contractor during a state of emergency declared by the governor is a third-degree crime. But instead, let`s consider what can go wrong if you don`t use a reputable and licensed contractor. In addition to the possibility of ending up with inferior work, painfully long projects, increased costs compared to the initial offer, and inferior materials, homeowners who hire unlicensed contractors expose themselves to incredible financial risks, liabilities, and headaches, including the following: The penalty for hiring an unlicensed contractor in Florida is described in section 489.127.3 min of the Florida Statutes If you are still not yet convinced, let me provide some additional details about the seven main consequences of hiring an unlicensed contractor. If the work does not comply with local building codes or the contractor does not obtain the necessary permits (which an unauthorized contractor cannot do), you are responsible for making the repairs to comply with the code for an additional fee to you. If you hire a contractor without a permit, you could have privileges on your property, making it difficult for you to sell or refinance your home in the coming years.
Problems may arise during your construction project. The work may be of poor quality, the contractor may leave the work, or you may refuse to pay the contractor. States treat such disputes with unlicensed contractors differently: While an unlicensed contractor may offer you a low price, there are many risks associated with treatment: If something like this were to happen, could you hold the unlicensed and uninsured contractor liable if your insurance company refuses to pay for the damages? Because the law varies from state to state, it may be helpful to consult with a real estate attorney to determine your rights and remedies. A lawyer can defend you if an unlicensed contractor sues you for payment, and a lawyer can also help you sue an unlicensed contractor if they violated your agreement. Under Section 713.02(7) of the Florida Statutes, an unlicensed contractor or subcontractor has no privilege in its favor. The penalty for hiring an unlicensed contractor in Florida, which is an offense that involves a wide range of behaviors related to the home improvement and construction industries, is described in Section 489.127 of the Florida Statutes. In Florida, every contractor, whether a general contractor or a professional contractor, must have either a certified contractor`s license issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) or a registered contractor`s license issued by the particular municipality where the contract work is performed. There are fines and severe penalties for those who do not properly carry out construction work without a permit. The mere conclusion of a contract between a contractor and an unauthorised subcontractor constitutes an offence. An unlicensed contractor cannot simply circumvent these requirements by “outsourcing” all work to licensed contractors. In Florida, a person involved in contracting must be certified, licensed, or registered for the specific areas of work performed. The purpose of these requirements is to protect consumers from those who have not met the educational requirements established by the State of Florida to obtain state approval.
These requirements also exist to ensure the safety of Florida citizens. In addition, an unlicensed contractor is not only an unlicensed contractor, but could also be a contractor who is not duly licensed, or a contractor who has the right license, whose qualified person – a responsible director (RMO) or responsible agent (RME) – is not so involved in the contractor`s operations, to maintain an appropriate license. What happens if you buy a home and find out that the landlord has done unauthorized contract work? A registered contractor`s licence demonstrates that you are familiar with the field of contracting and that the municipality has expressly authorized you to perform contract work in its jurisdiction. In addition to the possibility of imprisonment and subsequent fines, a person who is convicted or who invokes an unauthorized contractual charge is often subject to a court-ordered refund. The refund can result in tens of thousands of dollars in rewards. If the person does not pay or does not pay on time, the defendant may be held in contempt of court. In short, there are nine ways a person may be able to commit a crime by being an unlicensed contractor in Florida. If the evidence of such a violation is obvious, it is sufficient to confirm a conviction in court. Under California`s state license law, an unlicensed contractor cannot “raise or maintain” a claim for compensation for the performance of any act or contract that requires a license, unless the contractor has been duly authorized “at any time” during performance. Wirtschafts- und Berufsordnung § 7031(a).
This means that if an unlicensed contractor tries to sue someone who hired them for unpaid work, no California court will enforce the payment! If you`ve already hired an unlicensed contractor, there are ways to resolve disputes. I`ve answered a few frequently asked questions to help you. There may be some signs that your contractor is not licensed. .