mark handler
SAWHORSE
Sarasota sting operation targets unlicensed contractors
http://www.wtsp.com/story/news/local/2014/11/18/sarasota-sting-operation-targets-unlicensed-contractors/19233043/
Sarasota, Florida -- Unlicensed contractors have become such a problem the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and the county's building department have set up a task force to stop it.
Building officials say it's a problem that affects everyone in the Bay area.
"Whatever they're doing they're not doing correctly," says Mark Hawkins, owner of Hark's Nest Construction.
Open the door to an unlicensed contractor and the sheriff says it open a consumer to trouble.
"A lot of them are just conmen. ...They are going to commit more crimes than just do repairs to your house," says Sheriff Tom Knight.
In video taken by the sheriff of a sting operation called Operation Freelancer, 20 contractors were called out to a Sarasota home rented by the sheriff's office.
"I can do anything I really can," one man is heard telling the undercover officer posing as the homeowner.
Time after time each unlicensed contractor walked away in handcuffs
During Operation Freelancer deputies arrested 20 unlicensed contractors 13 of them have criminal histories with a total of 91 prior felonies plus 89 misdemeanors.
Knight says, "We're protecting the developers, we're protecting contractors, the subcontractors preventing these criminals from committing more crimes."
Crimes against homeowners, says Knight. "They offer a great deal in the end you're missing $10,000 in jewelry. You paid a lot more than hiring a credible company."
The long-lasting damage builders say will be to your home and your wallet. "As a homeowner, once they've destroyed your house, caused water leaks, house is failing nothing you can do here hire a licensed contractor to fix it," says Hawkins.
When shopping for a contractor whether it's on Craigslist or another site builders say remember that contractors are required to post their license number on all ads, their cars and even their business cards. If it's missing, builders say beware. That general contracting license number allows you to check them out.
"In order to practice electrical, plumbing, roofing, air conditioning in the state of Florida you have to be licensed," says Greg Yantorno, a building official with Sarasota County.
Yantorno says homeowners should not confused about jobs that need permitting with those that require a licensed contractor. "Permitting and licensing are not joined at the hip," says Yantorno.
Besides licensing, Yantorno says homeowners need to make sure the contractor is insured or has coverage under workers' compensation, if not the homeowner's home insurance will be paying out any claims.
Another warning says Hawkins is contractors who ask homeowners to pull permits. Hawkins says, "If they ask you to pull a permit they're not licensed."
Hawkins says any unpermitted work done will keep a homeowner from selling their home years later. The county will penalize the homeowner charging them three times the permitting cost. If the work done does not pass inspection the homeowner will have to pay to correct it.
http://www.wtsp.com/story/news/local/2014/11/18/sarasota-sting-operation-targets-unlicensed-contractors/19233043/
Sarasota, Florida -- Unlicensed contractors have become such a problem the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and the county's building department have set up a task force to stop it.
Building officials say it's a problem that affects everyone in the Bay area.
"Whatever they're doing they're not doing correctly," says Mark Hawkins, owner of Hark's Nest Construction.
Open the door to an unlicensed contractor and the sheriff says it open a consumer to trouble.
"A lot of them are just conmen. ...They are going to commit more crimes than just do repairs to your house," says Sheriff Tom Knight.
In video taken by the sheriff of a sting operation called Operation Freelancer, 20 contractors were called out to a Sarasota home rented by the sheriff's office.
"I can do anything I really can," one man is heard telling the undercover officer posing as the homeowner.
Time after time each unlicensed contractor walked away in handcuffs
During Operation Freelancer deputies arrested 20 unlicensed contractors 13 of them have criminal histories with a total of 91 prior felonies plus 89 misdemeanors.
Knight says, "We're protecting the developers, we're protecting contractors, the subcontractors preventing these criminals from committing more crimes."
Crimes against homeowners, says Knight. "They offer a great deal in the end you're missing $10,000 in jewelry. You paid a lot more than hiring a credible company."
The long-lasting damage builders say will be to your home and your wallet. "As a homeowner, once they've destroyed your house, caused water leaks, house is failing nothing you can do here hire a licensed contractor to fix it," says Hawkins.
When shopping for a contractor whether it's on Craigslist or another site builders say remember that contractors are required to post their license number on all ads, their cars and even their business cards. If it's missing, builders say beware. That general contracting license number allows you to check them out.
"In order to practice electrical, plumbing, roofing, air conditioning in the state of Florida you have to be licensed," says Greg Yantorno, a building official with Sarasota County.
Yantorno says homeowners should not confused about jobs that need permitting with those that require a licensed contractor. "Permitting and licensing are not joined at the hip," says Yantorno.
Besides licensing, Yantorno says homeowners need to make sure the contractor is insured or has coverage under workers' compensation, if not the homeowner's home insurance will be paying out any claims.
Another warning says Hawkins is contractors who ask homeowners to pull permits. Hawkins says, "If they ask you to pull a permit they're not licensed."
Hawkins says any unpermitted work done will keep a homeowner from selling their home years later. The county will penalize the homeowner charging them three times the permitting cost. If the work done does not pass inspection the homeowner will have to pay to correct it.
