Jacksonville Sting Nabs Unlicensed Home Improvement Contractors

Thirty-one unlicensed contractors were advertising on the Internet and Craig’s List. Warrants have been issued for others.

Palm Coast, FL – April 27, 2010 – Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) has arrested thirty-one people, one a minor, who placed ads for regulated home repair services on Craig’s List. The problem is that they weren’t licensed. Warrants have been issued for eight more individuals. The arrests follow a six-month investigation.
Hiring unlicensed contractors can be risky for homeowners.
Safety concerns – Unlicensed contractors cannot get permits for the work they perform. The results of their work will not be inspected to assure that the work is done in conformance with building codes.
Legal concerns – Out-of-code modifications may also affect the ability to sell in the future. In reality, most people do not disclose non-code conforming work on the seller’s disclosure form, leaving them exposed to lawsuits from future owners. If the work is discovered during a pre-closing inspection, it would definitely jeopardize the sale.
More legal concerns – Most unlicensed contractors do not carry workman’s comp insurance. If they are injured while performing work on your property, you may be sued; an expensive gamble.
Fraud exposure – Unlicensed (unregulated) contractors can be conmen, taking deposits and not performing the work or leaving the job partially undone, leaving the homeowner with little recourse. What would you do if your contractor was arrested in a similar sting operation with the work on your home half done?
Warranties – Some manufacturers will not honor warranties if the installation is done by unlicensed contractors or if the product is purchased from an unauthorized dealer.
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation also regulates the real estate profession.
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