Don't get scammed, Florida: How to protect yourself from hiring an unlicensed contractor

Kate Cimini, Fort Myers News-Press
Updated ·3 min read

Hiring an unlicensed contractor can result in all sorts of headaches, and may even result in you never seeing the repairs you paid for, or your money back. That’s why there’s a number of steps you should complete before you sign a contract…or a check.

First, customers should independently verify their contractors' license by going to myfloridalicense/DBPR and clicking on "verify a license." They should also search the Department of Business and Professional Regulation's database of complaints against unlicensed contractors to see if this particular contractor has been the subject of customer complaints in the past.

If you don’t have an internet connection, you can do so by calling DBPR at (850) 487-1395.

Customers can also search Florida’s business registry, Sunbiz, at https://search.sunbiz.org, to verify that the company exists. They should also read reviews of the contractor’s work on Better Business Bureau website www.bbb.org, to learn what other customers have said about their experiences with said company. It can be a good idea, too, to ask neighbors, friends and family for recommendations.

DBPR communications manager MK Delegal suggested customers take these additional steps to avoid contractor fraud:

  • Remember that an occupational license does not qualify an individual to act as a contractor.

  • Remember that being registered with the Division of Corporations as an Inc. or LLC does not qualify an individual or company to act as a contractor.

  • Always get a written estimate, including work, materials, completion date and total cost. Never agree to a cash-only deal.

  • Beware of contractors who claim to be the fastest and cheapest.

  • Check local building departments for any local license requirements.

More: 'The worst thing in Florida:' Lee County HOA lost millions, homes unfinished after Ian repair

Before signing a contract, consumers are encouraged to make sure the contract includes:

  • The contractor’s name, street address, telephone number and state license number.

  • A precise description of work to be completed, including a work completion timeline and list of materials.

  • Completion date, including cleanup after the work is finished.

  • Warranty agreements, including length, terms and recourse.

  • A notice of consumers’ rights under the Florida Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund for contracts involving general, residential and building contractors.

Ways to spot an unlicensed contractor include:

  • Having no workers’ compensation insurance.

  • Targeting vulnerable people and taking advantage of homeowners’ needs for urgent repairs, such as after a major disaster like a hurricane or tornado.

  • Traveling in unmarked vehicles, soliciting door-to-door or having out-of-state tags.

  • Giving a post office box address instead of a street address.

  • Demanding large payments up front, asking for cash payments, or asking for full payment before the work is completed.

  • Trying to convince homeowners a permit is not necessary or that it’s cheaper if the homeowner obtains it themselves.

What if I was already scammed by a contractor? 

If you know or suspect you have been the victim of a scam, your first step should be to report the contractor to the state.

Unlicensed activity can be reported via the DBPR hotline at 1-866-532-1440, via email at ULA@MyFloridaLicense.com, via the DBPR app or on the department's website.

More: When will they pay? Floridians say state not holding insurance carriers accountable post-Ian

Customers should also attempt to get in touch with the person who employs the contractor, if they were operating under a business’s license they did not own themselves. At times, companies will honor the contract you signed and eat the additional cost in the name of retaining customers and their good name.

If this is not possible, you may want to speak with a lawyer to discuss a civil lawsuit against the contractor or the business owner to get your repairs completed or your money returned.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: How can I protect myself from hiring unlicensed contractor in Florida?