IMPORTANT NEWS...
Beat the Heat and Only Use State-Licensed Air Conditioning Contractors
April 26, 2010
TALLAHASSEE—The hot Florida weather has arrived and many consumers will be tuning up their air conditioning units to help beat the heat. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation is reminding consumers when making changes or improvements to their homes to use state-licensed contractors.
“In the rush to stay cool during these hot months, remember to check your AC contractor’s license and references before signing a contract,” said Interim Secretary Charlie Liem.
Unlicensed contracting threatens the financial and personal safety of consumers, leaving them with little to no recourse. State-licensed air conditioning 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 and cutting out licensed professionals.
DBPR executes a three-tiered approach to combat unlicensed activity through education, prevention and enforcement. Here are some tips to help consumers protect themselves against unlicensed activity:
• 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 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.