While hiring an unlicensed contractor may provide a quick fix in the short term, it could result in many serious and lasting consequences, including further damage to your property. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) - http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/ -receives varying cases of alleged unlicensed construction activity including those alleging substandard work not up to building code, instances of homeowners paying for a job that is not completed as well as contractors abandoning the project.

By hiring a licensed contractor, you will have peace of mind knowing that the project will be done by someone who has taken the time to acquire the appropriate education and the proper workers' compensation and/or liability insurance and who possesses the necessary experience.

Warning Signs a Contractor May not be licensed:

- Unlicensed contractors often target the uninformed and inexperienced, as well as the elderly.

- No license number in advertisement or posting. By law contractors licensed by DBPR must include their license number in all advertising.

- They want all or most of the money upfront and will only accept cash. They may also want you to write a check to them individually or to "cash".

- They give a post office box address instead of a street address.

-They show up in unmarked vehicles offering to do the work and often have out-of-state tags.

- They try to convince you a permit is not necessary or that it's cheaper if you obtain it yourself.

PENALTIES FOR UNLICENSED CONTRACTING

In Florida, unlicensed contracting is generally charged as a first degree misdemeanor, with penalties of up to 1 year in jail or 12 months of probation, and a $1,000.00 fine.

However, if the accused has been previously convicted of contracting without a license, the offense may be charged as third degree felony, with penalties of up to 5 years in prison or 5 years of probation, and a $5,000 fine. A third felony may also be charged where a person contracts without a license during a State of Emergency, as declared by executive order.

A General Contractor is required to renew its license every 2 years by completing hours of continued education to be up-to-date on regulations and requirements adjusted by government entities, due to the scalation on scam reports these laws are constantly modified to prevent criminals to reach potential victims; DBPR ask Floridians to report suspected unlicensed activity by emailing ULA@myfloridalicense.com or by calling the unlicensed Activity hotline at 1.866.532.1440.

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Source: DBPR