Pasco County s Unlicensed Contractor Program

Transcription

1 Pasco County s Unlicensed Contractor Program

2 Who is an Unlicensed Contractor i. Advertising or promoting themselves as a construction contractor ii. Doing work for which a state or county license is required iii. Getting paid to do the work iv. Is not bonded v. Has no Workman s Compensation Insurance or a Construction Industry Exemption Certificate

3 We Provide Services Residents and property owners seeking to do building repairs, remodeling, expansions, etc

4 Pasco County UC Program The Pasco County Unlicensed Contractor Program was started in October 2014 Provides an opportunity to address unlicensed/unpermitted contractors in a sustained effort

5 Pasco County UC Program Team: 1 Detective 1 Building Inspector 1 Code Enforcement Officer 1 Project Manager 1 Investigator from FL Dept. of Business Professional Regulations Part time

6 Pasco County UC Program Work Hours: M-F 8:00 am 5:00 pm Random weekends

7 Pasco County UC program Leads/Complaints: Calls can be anonymous (727) x 2692 Regular business hours may respond immediately or when staff is available Outside regular business hours and days - return calls within 48 hrs. or next business day

8 Pasco County s UC Program Leads/Complaints Cont d: Customer Service Call Center s

9 Responded to complaints and pursued unlicensed contractors Developed educational brochures Performed countywide check of construction work in progress 9

10 Arrests of unlicensed contractors by the Sheriff s Office 2014 Calendar year Felony Arrests: 0 Misdemeanor Arrests: 2 November s Sting Operations: 11 Misdemeanor and Felony Arrests Charges Pending Court: 24 10

11 Pasco arrests 11 people in unlicensed contractor sting November 24, 2014 PASCO COUNTY, FL (WFLA) - After a two day sting operation, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office has arrested 11 people for attempting to do work without a contractors license. Sheriff's detectives went on the web site Craig's List to line up contractors for a simple project at a home. They asked workers to replace a water heater at a home in the New Port Richey area. Sheriff Chris Nocco says unlicensed contractors perform faulty work and can be a danger to the consumer. "They are also hurting businesses who are actually doing the right thing," said Nocco. Nocco says 7 of the 11 people arrested have previous criminal histories that include: vehicle theft, grand theft, child abandonment, forgery, fleeing to elude, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, violation of probation, domestic battery, simple battery, driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, and driving while license suspended or revoked. "Those aren't people I would really be excited about having in my house," said Nocco. 11

12 2015 Year-to-Date Charges Pending: 21 Misdemeanor: 11 Felony: 10 Physical Arrests: 8 Refer to State Attorney s Office: 5 12

13 Actions Taken (cont.) Man Performing Unsolicited, Unlicensed Work Arrested A Pasco County man was arrested on January 8 th, 2015 and is charged with numerous infractions related to doing repair work without a license. George Edward Montague, 36, was arrested January 8 and charged with seven felony counts of failure to obtain workers compensation coverage, one felony count of scheme to defraud, five counts of contracting without a license, and two counts of petit theft. Montague, who had been fired from an air... conditioning repair company, is accused of approaching five people in Bayonet Point, New Port Richey, and Port Richey about doing work on their air conditioning units. The New Port Richey man represented himself as an employee of the company from which he had been fired. Montague also allegedly approached two people to do lawn work. He collected money up front in both cases and never returned. Montague remains in the Land O Lakes Detention Center with $45,000 bond. 13

14 Actions Taken (cont.) Notices of Violations Arrests Citations State or County Prosecutions

15 Why Are We Doing This Program?

16 Benefits of Hiring a Licensed Contractor 1. Contractor has met qualifications to do the job. 2. Contractor will apply for all required permits. 3. Contractor will be insured and will not become Homeowner s liability if a worker is injured on the job.

17 Benefits of Hiring a Licensed Contractor Cnt d 4. Ensures safety of individuals and buildings and meet current Building Codes. 5. There is recourse for sub-standard work; licensed contractors are regulated by the State and or County. 6. Will request Inspections, Certificates of Completion, and Certificates of Occupancy, as needed.

18 Signs of a possible Unlicensed Contractor i. Unmarked contractor s vehicles ii. iii. iv. Construction done mainly on the weekends and after regular work hours Requesting Homeowners pull permits Will not supply license and insurance Information

19 .. Note: an owner occupied resident can legally obtain permits to work on their residence.

20 Training has been provided to all Pasco Sheriff s Office patrol units Provide educational outreach to homeowners and professional associations 20

21 . Questions