Construction Law

Why You Should Never Hire an Unlicensed Contractor in Florida Part 1

Construction projects, large and small, has a cost and unless money is an unlimited resource, you are probably looking to reduce that cost. However, the work that’s done on construction projects also has a value. While hiring unlicensed contractors presents a lower cost than hiring licensed contractors, the work they produce may be of a lower quality and managing it could be problematic. This greatly reduces its value to you.

Working with an unlicensed contractor is a dangerous practice that can leave you with a faulty structure that may not be constructed correctly and likely doesn’t follow code. What’s worse is that you could be setting yourself up for additional costs that go far beyond the savings you realized.

Below are a few reasons why you shouldn’t hire an unlicensed contractor. See the Part 2 of this article for additional reasons.

Unlicensed Contractors Likely Perform Subpar Work

From a logical standpoint, unlicensed contractors don’t have a license for a reason. Whether they are not as knowledgeable about their craft or they don’t want to spend the money on licensure, they are not behaving as a reputable business. Since they are not being held accountable by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Construction Industry Licensing Board, they don’t have the same pressure to perform their best work. If they aren’t performing their best work, you may not be getting a well-built structure.

It’s Illegal to Hire an Unlicensed Contractor in the State of Florida

In Florida, if it’s discovered that a contractor knowingly hired an unlicensed contractor to do work for them, they can be subject to fines and, potentially, have their license revoked. Also, work done by an unlicensed contractor can be stopped immediately and ordered to be redone.

You are Responsible for Injuries Suffered by an Unlicensed Contractor

Many unlicensed contractors operate without general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. This means that if they are injured while on your jobsite, you are responsible and could likely be sued by the contractor.

Are you being sued by an unlicensed contractor? Or are you attempting to recover damages from a contractor who hired an unlicensed worker? Our Orlando construction attorneys can help by assessing your case and developing a plan to protect your interests.

To request a consultation with a reputable Orlando construction attorney, please call us today at 407.378.6575 or submit our contact request form.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.