Unlicensed contractors target of undercover investigation

Think unlicensed contracting work is no big deal?

 

Think again.

 

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office recently announced the arrest of nine men in July on charges related to performing unlicensed contracting work, following an undercover investigation dubbed “Operation Freelancer IV.”

 

With the help of Florida’s Department of Financial Services Division of Insurance Fraud and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, detectives contacted individuals who were advertising home repair services – work that requires one or more state-issued license.

 

Once the contractor showed up to a home to perform the work, authorities checked with the DBPR to determine if they held a license, were registered as a contractor in Florida and were required to hold workers’ compensation coverage.

 

The three-day sting reportedly resulted in 11 felony charges and seven misdemeanor charges. Those arrested ranged in age from 42 to 69, and resided in Bradenton, Englewood, North Port, Myrtle Beach, Port Charlotte and Sarasota.

 

Typically, a first offense results in a civil citation, but subsequent violations can lead to misdemeanor or felony criminal charges. Those charged can also expect to receive a cease and desist order from the State of Florida.

 

“Maintenance operations like these should be a good reminder for consumers to always seek licensed contractors to perform work on their homes or businesses,” Sheriff Tom Knight said in a WFLA News Channel 8 report. “Consumers are exposing themselves to financial and physical risk by allowing these people to enter their home, unlicensed, and in some cases, with criminal histories. Let this be a warning to criminals who come into our community and illegally solicit services that their behavior will not be tolerated.”

 

In a separate sting operation in June called “Operation Builder Bust,” authorities in Lakeland arrested eight men on similar charges. Those charged reportedly advertised their abilities to perform wide-ranging plumbing and electrical work on the Internet without licenses or training, and all but one had no workers’ compensation coverage to protect their employees, according to news reports.

 

A Florida contractor licensing company can help individuals and companies navigate the state’s licensing requirements, with approvals as quick as 10 days. We are a Florida contracting licensing company. We can help get you licensed. For more information on Florida contractor requirements or to get an application started, visit our Florida contractor license website or call 239-777-1028.

 

Unlicensed Contracting in Florida is Illegal

In the state of Florida, it is illegal and a criminal offense to engage in contracting work without a contractor’s license. If a person is caught working without a license, he or she can face misdemeanor or felony charges.

In Florida, there are nine different ways to commit the crime of practicing unlicensed contracting. All a person needs is to do one of these nine things (and get caught with proof) to get a conviction. The nine ways are:

  1. Falsely saying he or he or their organization is licensed, when they are not.
  2. Pretending to be a certificate holder or registrant.
  3. Presenting someone else’s certificate or registrations.
  4. Giving false or forged evidence to the board.
  5. Use a certificate or registration that is suspended or revoked.
  6. Operating a contracting business after 60 days of termination
  7. Performing work that requires a building permit without the build permit being in effect.
  8. Disregarding or violating municipal or county ordinances related to uncertified/unregistered licenses.
  9. Advertising oneself or business as an available registered contractor.

In Florida, a certificate is a certificate of competency that is earned by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, while registration means registrations with the department in accordance with Florida statues.

For the most part, an unlicensed contracting charge is a first-degree misdemeanor, which has penalties of up to one year of probation or jail and a $1,000 fine. If this person has been convicted before or working without a license, they could be charged with a third-degree felony. This felony has penalties of up to five years in prison or probation and a $5,000 fine. There is also court-ordered restitution when the victim claims the work performed was sub-par and caused a loss of some sort.

If a person pleads guilty, they will have a permanent criminal record that can ruin their chance of obtaining a license in the future.

As you can see, obtaining a contractor’s license is important and necessary. If you’re looking to get your Florida contractor’s license, we can help. We specialize in getting our clients their licenses fast and easy. Click here to contact us.