The final order imposed fines and continuing education against the electrical contractor, and possibly could have been avoided if the contractor had properly responded to the administrative complaint or properly preserved his rights to a final hearing. The case is a cautionary tale to contractors facing licensing complaints to take them seriously and comply with deadlines and instructions relating to the complaint.
Read moreCourt Affirms Ruling that Electrical Contractor Cannot Increase Lien Transfer Bond Amount After Judgment is Entered
The court reversed a trial court order granting a motion to increase the amount of the bond entered after the final judgment, finding that the plain language of 713.24, Florida Statutes, only applied to pending actions.
Read moreElectrical Contractor Fined for Performing Business Under a Different Name
An electrician who attempted to help another company get started in Florida was disciplined by the Florida Electrical Contractor Licensing Board for serving as an electrician in a name other than the one for which he was licensed
Read moreDBPR Opinion Defines Line Between Pool Contractors and Electrical Contractors
A 40 year pool contractor was disciplined for disconnecting, replacing, and reconnecting pool lights, after the DBPR determined that a portion of the work should have been performed by a licensed electrical contractor.
Read moreDBPR Determines Electrical Contractor's Intent In Hiring Subcontractor Irrelevant in Fining Contractor
An electrical contractor was fined by the DBPR for hiring an unlicensed individual as a subcontractor, despite not knowing that the person did not have an electrical contractor’s license.
Read moreElectrical Contractor Stopped from Qualifying Additional Business After Failing to Demonstrate Ability to Adequately Supervise Operations
An electrical contractor’s attempt to qualify a third business was recently derailed due to a prior criminal conviction, a project gone wrong, and multiple outstanding judgments.
Read moreFlorida Enacts Changes to Contractor Licensing Requirements
On July 1, 2020, Governor Desantis signed the Occupational Freedom and Opportunity Act. The Act modifies many existing licensing requirements within the state, across a broad range of professions, from architects to veterinarians. The purpose of the act was to “remove unnecessary barriers for individuals pursuing their professional aspirations.” The biggest practical impact on Florida’s contractors will be new reciprocity provisions within the statute and a reduction in certain continuing education requirements.
Read moreElectrician Loses Lien For Failing to Comply with Chapter 713, Florida Statutes
Florida’s Construction Lien laws are a complex web of requirements to establish and maintain a lien on property to secure payment for work you’ve done. Successfully check all the boxes, and you have a powerful tool to ensure you are paid. But make a misstep early in the process—or fail to keep up with the requirements—and your lien can vanish! Recently, an electrician lost its lien for failing to follow through on the lien law requirements through the end.
Read moreRecent Trial Court Decision Confirms Narrow Application of Florida's Private Undisputed Payment Statute
Earlier this year in Bartlett Fiber Inc. v. Optical Telecommunications, Inc, a trial court in Miami-Dade County granted summary judgment in favor of an integrated low-voltage contractor based on a Florida statute requiring certain undisputed amounts to be paid to subcontractors once paid for. The decision confirms the narrow application of section 713.346, Florida Statutes.
Read more