Know Your Contractor
In the State of Florida; you are required by Law to have a Professional Occupational License to carry out business in this State. This is covered by Title XXXII of the State Statues.
In accordance with “Florida Statute: 489.521 Business organizations; qualifying agents.”
(7)(b) The registration or certification number of a contractor shall be stated in each offer of services, business proposal, or advertisement, regardless of medium, used by that contractor. For the purposes of this part, the term “advertisement” does not include business stationery or any promotional novelties such as balloons, pencils, trinkets, or articles of clothing. The board shall assess a fine of not less than $100 or issue a citation to any contractor who fails to include that contractor’s certification or registration number when submitting an advertisement for publication, broadcast, or printing. In addition, any person who claims in any advertisement to be a certified or registered contractor, but who does not hold a valid state certification or registration, commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s.775.082 or s.775.083.
This means any quotation you receive should have their license number displayed. To fabricate stone, you require a specialty license under the Masonry section, sub-section Tile & Marble. This is indicated in the license number by “TM” in the 3rd and 4th stations of that number. For example our License number is; 11-TM-14500-X. If your stone fabricator does not have a license number with “TM” in it, they are not certified by the State to fabricate stone countertops.
Further to this, many Counties require additional licensure to conduct business in those Counties. Our test scores were so high, we can work anywhere in the entire State of Florida. On approval, Counties requiring additional licensure may use the State License number, or issue their own County Certification number. Examples of this are Palm Beach County where we have to use U-21716, and Miami/Dade County where we have to use 12BS00145.
The Importance of Using a Certified Contractor
- According to Florida Statutes, if you hire an unlicensed contractor, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation may issue a cease and desist order to stop your job, and may also take you to civil court, which has the authority to impose civil penalties for aiding and abetting unlicensed activities.
- If you hire an unlicensed person and work is not completed in accordance with state and local codes, you may have to pay additional monies to have it brought into compliance.
- If an unlicensed person does not pay his subcontractors or suppliers, you may be liable for these costs. These persons have the right to file liens on your property.
- You could be held liable for injuries or property damage caused by unlicensed individuals.
- If you use an unlicensed contractor, then you, not the person doing the work, are held responsible.
- Insurance claims may be denied for work conducted by an unlicensed contractor.