Seven arrested in unlicensed contractor sting (Sarasota: 2015, refrigerators, construction jobs)

[Sunshine Rules]

For those unfamiliar with building codes in FL, there are a number of repair, remodeling and construction jobs that must be done by a licensed contractor with permits that may not necessarily require the same in other states.

The local paper ran an article about a recent sting operation to catch unlicensed handymen doing work that requires a contractors license:

7 arrested in unlicensed contractor sting | HeraldTribune.com



Last paragraph of the article has info worth repeating:

To check a Sarasota County license, call the Customer Service and Permit Center at 861-6678 or 861-3029. To report someone you suspect is acting as an unlicensed contractor or performing work without a permit, call 861-5000. For more information visit http://www.scgov.net/DevelopmentServ...Licensing.aspx

[macrodome2]

Sunshine- do you know of a site that has a list of things that require a licensed contractor (or permit)? The article mentioned the amounts varied from a few hundred to several thousand. I'm just wondering what could be a few hundred (unless it was electrical or plumbing) that would require a licensed contractor.

[bbronston]

macrodome2, I just sent this link to someone the other day. It might help:

Services that require a license - Construction Contractors

[macrodome2]

Thx.

[Shabotnik]

This is terrific. Let them invest the 100 unpaid hours and the $4,000.00 it takes to get a Florida contractor's license like I did.

[Sunshine Rules]

Thanks Bob for posting the link, I was off the grid last night so to speak. Both Manatee and Sarasota counties have info about when permits are required posted on their web sites, Sarasota county has a pdf file that has a straight forward list of when you do/don't need a permit as well.

https://www.scgov.net/DevelopmentSer...urrentPage%3D1


Both counties also give the public access to permit information on properties. For Manatee county the info is available as a side tab when you look up a property on the property appraiser's web site. For Sarasota county it's a separate web site: https://building.scgov.net/PublicPor...rchPermits.jsp

If a property is in the CITY of Sarasota, you have to go to the city's building department web pages at:
Neighborhood and Development Services

[City Guy997S]

Originally Posted by bbronston

macrodome2, I just sent this link to someone the other day. It might help:

Services that require a license - Construction Contractors

Odd that you need a "license" to install a dishwasher. Yet big box stores deliver and install dishwashers/refrigerators with ice lines by the hundreds daily and it is performed by the delivery driver, not a plumber......hmmm.

This a goofy "sting" operation. While I can see a guy doing a big job/remodel etc. and getting busted but they specifically mention the jobs were as little as a few hundred dollars (meaning handyman jobs). Seems like cops/code enforcement could have used their time/resources more wisely than this "sting operation!"

[loves2read]

And nothing specific about electric work

[Sunshine Rules]

Originally Posted by loves2read

And nothing specific about electric work

Sarasota county does specifically cover electrical work under items that require a licensed contractor:

Electrical, plumbing, air-conditioning when altering, adding or deleting to or from the system

[Restrain]

Because it means money for the county. They also require licenses, not just state licenses. The counties can use licenses to limit competition (protectionists).