Before you hire a contractor for those home improvements, HVAC work, or any other work that requires a person to be licensed - consider the following:
Fines for the homeowner: Hiring an unlicensed contractor is a violation of Florida Statute 455.228 which can result in a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for the home or business owner, and you could be liable for the court costs on top of that.Also, if an unlicensed contractor files bankruptcy or skips out while working on your home or business, you are responsible for all fines, unpaid bills to suppliers, and for the wages of employees who worked for the unlicensed contractor.
Poor qualifications: Unlicensed individuals have not demonstrated the education, insurance, or qualification required of a licensed contractor. This can leave you with poor quality work or unfinished projects, which means that you could spend more money hiring another contractor to repair or finish the project.
Possible criminal background: Unlicensed individuals frequently have criminal backgrounds that may include fraud, theft, violent crime, sexual offenses, and substance abuse.
Likelihood of becoming the victim of a scam: Unlicensed individuals often disappear after taking your money, leaving you with very few options to help you get your money back or your work completed.
No coverage under homeowner’s policy: Homeowner's insurance does not cover unlicensed contractors so the homeowner is held responsible for hiring an unlicensed contractor and is therefore accountable for any work associated with the contractor. If an unlicensed contractor's carelessness leads to injury or damage to you or your neighbor’s property, you will be held accountable.
For more information, and how to avoid hiring an unlicensed contractor - please visit Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, inc.
