Contractor License Defense

Broward County has issued Certificates of Competency to more than 12,000 local tradespeople. Throughout the city of Fort Lauderdale, there are many licensed contractors. Their livelihood depends on their licensing. Unfortunately, Florida can be very strict when it comes to licensing. If a contractor fails to obtain or maintain their license they face serious penalties. It’s important to understand the licensing requirements and know how to fight complaints against your licensing. By hiring an attorney for contractor license defense, you can stand up for your business. You could prevent the allegations from destroying everything you have built. Equally importantly, you may move forward with your work and prevent adverse consequences.

Fort Lauderdale and Contractor Licenses

Florida is one of the strictest states when it comes to licenses for contractors. Broward County is a perfect example of this. In addition to requiring construction workers to have licenses, Broward County requires people in all of the following industries to have licenses:

Home repair
Electrical design or modification
Home alteration
Petroleum gas
Mechanical systems
Installation
Plumbing

There is a purpose for the strict licensing regulations. The county hopes to protect Broward County residents from unsafe tradespeople. They want work to be done by experienced and well-qualified contractors. In order to receive a license, a contractor needs to take an exam. If they pass, they can become certified and licensed in their trade. But the process isn’t as straightforward as you might think. Even after you obtain a license, you need to maintain it. This means informing the board of any changes with the business, including the address and telephone number. Furthermore, you need to renew your license regularly. If someone files a complaint about you, then your license could be revoked. For that reason, you need to understand more about the complaint process.

The Complaint Process

Someone can file a complaint against a licensed or unlicensed contractor. To do so, they need to go through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). It all starts with them filling out a form. They include the specifics of their complaint, which will be reviewed by an investigator. Typically, the investigator conducts their own research. They look for evidence that either validates or disproves the complaint. If there is enough evidence that the claim is valid, the complaint moves forward. It goes to the board of trade. For instance, a claim against an electrician would go to the board of electricians. Fortunately, the complaint process allows you to defend yourself. The professional gets a chance to disprove the complaint and fight for their reputation. This isn’t always easy, but it is possible. If you have an experienced contractor defense attorney by your side, you can improve your chances of a positive outcome.

What Are Common Complaints?

There are many different complaints a client can have against the contractor. Here’s a closer look at some of the most common complaints in Fort Lauderdale:

Lack of licensing or the wrong license type
Not enough supervision of the site
Misuse of money
Abandonment of a project
Not enough preparation of the construction site
Poor design, inspection, or surveying of a structure
Failure to receive the necessary permits for the project
Negligence that caused property damage or injuries
Flaws in the design that caused defects

Even if you handle every job with the utmost care and skill, you could find yourself facing a complaint. By having an up-to-date license, you can prevent the worst from happening. However, you should still consider working with an attorney. They can prove the allegations have no merit.

Why Do You Need Contractor License Defense?

If you don’t fight the complaint, you could lose your business. Your reputation will suffer and you may lose your license. All businesses in Florida need to follow the DBPR’s regulations. Failing to do so can lead to consequences. In addition to having your license suspended or revoked, you could also be fined or restricted to only offering a few services. For most contractors, their jobs are their lifeline. A complaint against you could leave you with no way to make money and provide for your family. To prevent this from happening, you should contact a construction license defense and construction accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale. Friedland & Associates can represent you in your fight for your license and business. If you’re ready to be proactive, contact us today.