Print

Email story

Comment

Letter to the editor

Columns

Action: Research your contractor

Thinking of having some home improvement work done? Intimidated by interviewing and hiring a contractor?

By Suzanne Palmer, Times Staff Writer
Published February 25, 2008

Thinking of having some home improvement work done? Intimidated by interviewing and hiring a contractor?

You're not alone.

Many contractors are qualified, hardworking and honest - but some are not.

The Better Business Bureau received more than a quarter of a million requests for reports on general and roofing contractors and construction and remodeling services in 2006, its latest reporting year. It processed just more than 24,000 complaints.

In fiscal year 2006-07, 10,498 complaints were filed through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the state's licensing body, said press secretary Alexis Antonacci.

Don't want to become a statistic?

Gathered from resources at the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board, Pinellas County Consumer Services, and DBPR, here are some guidelines to make the process less painful.

-A contractor's license is required for any structural additions, roofing, air conditioning, plumbing, electrical or alarm work, pool or spa work or any job that requires a building permit.

In addition to a state license, your local building department may require a license for specialty contractors. It is key that the contractor is licensed in the county where the work is being done, not just the county where the business is located.

Those who perform "handyman" services are not excluded from licensing. If you hire one to change a light bulb, a license isn't required, but if you hire him to install a new light switch, it is.

-Get at least three bids.

-Ask for recommendations from people you trust, especially those who have had work done recently. You might check with lumber yards, home improvement stores and real estate agents.

-Ask to see the contractor's registered or certified license. Those awarded by the DBPR will include a wallet card.

-Get references and follow up with them. Ask if you might see some of the work the contractor has done.

-When receiving an estimate, ask that it include material specifications, about how long the project will take, its cost and the schedule of payments.

-Make sure the contractor's full name, physical address, phone number and contractor's license number are on the estimate, contract and business card.

-If an uninsured worker is hurt on the job, the homeowner can be sued, so make sure the contractor carries workers' compensation insurance for employees. Contact the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation for verification.

Once you've decided on a contractor, it's time to put things in writing. More helpful hints:

-Like the estimate, a contract should include a detailed description of the work to be done, material specifications and a list of the subcontractors and materials suppliers.

It should state the cost, with payment schedule, if applicable, any warranty agreements and a commencement and approximate completion date. Any changes you make to the project after you sign can change costs and delay progress. Make sure change-orders are in writing.

-Never sign a contract with blank spaces. Take your time and read everything, asking questions about anything that is unclear. If the job is especially large, you may want to have your lawyer look it over.

-Make sure you understand the contractor's cancellation policy. Deposits are generally nonrefundable if you change your mind or run into unforeseen financial difficulties.

-If your contract exceeds $2,500, you should get acquainted with the Florida Construction Lien Law. Get a release of lien before you make any payment. If you pay in installments, get partial releases for each stage of work for which you pay.

-Get receipts for each payment you make. Make checks out to the business, not to an individual unless you're dealing with a private contractor for whom you've seen identification. Any legitimate business person won't be offended by this request. Don't pay cash.

-Until you're satisfied with the work, don't make a final payment or sign a certificate of completion.

-If you've made a payment of at least 10 percent to a contractor and work has not commenced within 90 days, he may face a criminal charge of theft under F.S. 489.126.

The stipulation is that within those 90 days, the consumer must not cancel the contract or otherwise stop the work from being performed. If that happens, then the matter becomes civil and must be addressed in small claims court.

Action solves problems and gets answers for you. Write Times Action, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731, or call, (727) 893-8171, or, outside of Pinellas, toll-free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 8171, to leave a recorded request. Complaints can only be accepted by mail. Send only photocopies of personal documents. Names of letter writers will not be omitted except in unusual circumstances. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

DBPR: (850) 487-1395; www.myfloridalicense.com.

Florida Division of Workers' Compensation: toll-free 1-800-742-2214; www.fldfs.com.

Citrus County Building Division, Department of Development Services: (352) 527-5310; www.bocc.citrus.fl.us/devservices/building/building_division.htm.

Hernando County Development Department: (352) 754-4050; www.co.hernando.fl.us/bldg.

Hillsborough County Contractors Licensing: (813) 635-7439; www.hillsboroughcounty.org/pgm/contractor/.

Pasco County Building Development: Contractor Licensing, (727) 847-8009; opal.pascocountyfl.net.

Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board: (727) 536-4720; www.pcclb.com.

Hillsborough County Consumer Protection: (813) 903-3430; www.hillsboroughcounty.org/consumerprotection/.

Pasco County Consumer Affairs: (727) 847-8106; www.pascocountyfl.net.

Pinellas County Consumer Protection: (727) 464-6200; www.pinellascounty.org/consumer/default.htm.

Better Business Bureaus: serving West Florida including Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota/Manatee: toll-free 1-800-525-1447; www.bbbwestflorida.org; serving Central Florida (including Citrus) toll-free 1-800-275-6614; www.orlando.bbb.org.

[Last modified February 22, 2008, 21:41:47]