IMPORTANT NEWS...
Department of Business and Professional Regulation and Broward Sheriff’s Office Arrest Unlicensed Contractor
July 9, 2010
Ft. Lauderdale—Yesterday, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Broward Sheriff’s Office arrested Steven Tyrone Roger (31) for unlicensed electrical contracting. Rogers, working as Family Men Electric and Sunshine Electric Service, Inc., contracted for electrical work that requires a state license, collected a deposit, and failed to provide the contracted work. Rogers was arrested for unlicensed activity and for two counts of grand theft.
Florida law requires that electrical contractors be licensed by DBPR. Unlicensed activity threatens the financial and personal safety of consumers, leaving them with little to no recourse. State-licensed professionals are also impacted by unlicensed activity. Unlicensed individuals often underbid licensed professionals, but they usually do not carry workers’ compensation or liability insurance, posing an increased threat to consumers. Below are precautions that consumers can take to help protect themselves from unlicensed individuals:
- Check whether a state license is required for the work to be performed by visiting “What Services Require a DBPR License.”
- Always ask to see the State of Florida license.
- Note the license number and verify that the license is current. To check a license, call 850-487-1395 or visit MyFloridaLicense.com.
- Ask for references and check each one.
- Do not pay cash and be cautious of writing checks made payable to individuals, especially when dealing with a company.
- Get a Release of Lien covering all workers and materials. This removes your property from the threat of lien.
- Get everything in writing, including a detailed description of the work to be completed, a completion date and the total cost.
The department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The department licenses more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from real estate agents, veterinarians, and accountants to contractors and cosmetologists. For more information, please visit MyFloridaLicense.com.