IMPORTANT NEWS...
Department of Business and Professional Regulation Stings Unlicensed Contractors in Daytona Beach
June 1, 2010
DAYTONA BEACH— The Department of Business and Professional Regulation, in partnership with the Daytona Beach Police Department and Volusia County Building Department, completed a three-day sting operation focused on unlicensed activity in the building trades, resulting in penalties for seven unlicensed contractors. A sting operation is where known or suspected unlicensed individuals are invited to a decoy jobsite and asked to provide an estimate for work that requires a state license. DBPR issued the unlicensed contractors citations for contracting without the state-required license.
DBPR investigators gathered advertisements for construction work from print and online classifieds. Suspected unlicensed contractors were asked to come to the “sting” house to provide a proposal for work. When the individuals failed to provide their contractors licenses, they were issued citations. Investigators also provided information on how to obtain a license. The ultimate goal is to bring the individuals into compliance with state law and protect consumers.
Below are precautions that consumers can take to help protect themselves from unlicensed individuals:
• Always ask to see the State of Florida license.
• Note the license number and verify that the license is current and in good standing. 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.