04/01/2024
CONSUMER QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE TO HIRING A CONTRACTOR
A state certified or registered contractor’s license is required for the following jobs:
• Roofing work
An unlicensed person is only permitted to “dry in” a structure. Drying-in a structure means the use of tarps, plastic sheeting, or other temporary materials for the sole purpose of preventing further damage to the structure. All permanent repairs must be made by a licensed individual.
• Any plumbing work that requires a permit or is over $1,000 (total contract)
• Any electrical work that requires a permit or is over $1,000 (total contract)
• Any additions or major remodeling jobs
• Major A/C replacement or repair jobs
What to watch out for:
• Construction jobs without a permit posted
• Business names on vehicles without a license number posted
• Contractor vehicles with out-of-state tags
• On-going jobs at hours during which business is not normally
performed.
Statutory authority to cite unlicensed contractors, other than electric or alarm contracting:
• Florida Statute 489.127(1) (f) – No person shall engage in the business or act in the capacity of a contractor or advertise himself or a business organization as available to engage in the business or act in the capacity of a contractor without being duly registered or certified or having a certificate of authority.
Statutory penalties for unlicensed contracting:
• Florida Statute 489.127(2)(a) –Any unlicensed person who violates any of the provisions of subsection (1) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.
• Florida Statute 489.127(2)(c) – Any unlicensed person who commits a violation of subsection (1) during the existence of a state emergency declared by executive order of the governor commits a felony in the third degree.
Note: Electrical contracting has similar regulations. If unlicensed electrical contracting is suspected, please contact anyone from the list below.
Contacts:
• DBRP Local 954.917.1330
• Code Enforcement 954.828.5208
• DBPR Unlicensed Activity Hotline: 850.488.6603
• Unlicensed Activity Administrator Mark Reddinger 850.443.8855 • Or call your local building department or State Attorney’s Office
The department of Business and Professional Regulation and your local State Attorney’s Office developed this tip sheet to assist you in the field. Unlicensed activity can affect the health, safety and the welfare of consumers. It is our hope that this sheet will help you become our first line of defense in the fight against unlicensed contracting.
