Court Affirms Final Judgment, Tacitly Finding AIA Form Affidavit Satisfies Requirements Under 713.06, Florida Statutes

In a short opinion, Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal affirmed a final judgment foreclosing a lien in favor of a general contractor. While the opinion is short and without elaboration, reviewing the underlying trial docket raises questions about the acceptable forms for contractor’s payment affidavits and pleading affirmative defenses relating to lien claims.

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New Law is Just the Latest Set of New Requirements for Roofing Contracts in Florida

Since 2019, roofing contractors in Florida have been subject to a litany of new regulations, including restrictions on advertising methods and certain disclosure requirements in their contracts. On May 2, 2024, Governor DeSantis signed HB 939, which becomes law on July 1, 2024. The new statute imposes new disclosure requirements on roofing contractors and gives homeowners new contract cancellation rights. Roofing contractors in Florida need to evaluate their contracts and contact their attorneys to ensure they comply with the new requirements.

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Court Affirms Extinguishment of $1.8 Million Construction Lien Over Failure to Timely Add Surety to Lawsuit

The contractor amended its construction lien, which was then transferred to a bond and contested by the property owner after the start of litigation. When the contractor failed to add the bond’s surety to the lawsuit within 60 days, the property owner sought summary judgment and obtained an order finding the lien was extinguished based on the operation of two sections of Florida’s Construction Lien law.

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Court Finds Construction Company President Potentially Liable for Injuries to Worker Who Fell Off Roof

Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal reversed summary judgment entered in favor of the construction company’s president, finding that fact issues remained about whether the president ordered the company’s employee to place a tarp on a roof without also providing appropriate safety equipment.

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Court Reverses Dismissal of Two Claims by General Contractor Against Subcontractor Finding They Were Not Barred by Credit Agreement Between the Parties

Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal partially reversed a dismissal with prejudice of all of a general contractor’s claims against a subcontractor, finding that the credit agreement between the parties did not preclude claims for breach of an implied in fact contract or negligence. The case is an important reminder that not only do the terms of contracts matter, but so do when they are signed, who signs them, and how they are referred to in pleadings.

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Court Affirms Order Imposing Sanctions Against Electrical Contractor for Aiding Unlicensed Contractor

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.

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Court Affirms Judgment in Favor of Subcontractor Over Failing Golf Pond Liner

The court affirmed judgment in favor of the subcontractor against a general contractor after a lawsuit arose over unpaid invoices for a liner installed as part of a golf course renovation. The case is a good reminder to all those in the construction industry of the time and expense of litigation, and the finality of judgments even in disputed cases.

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Appellate Court Affirms Dismissal of Roofer's Lawsuit Based on Non-Compliant Assignment of Benefits

Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal affirmed dismissal of a lawsuit brought by a roofing contractor against an insurance carrier on behalf of an insured, finding that the assignment of benefits contract between the contractor and insured did not strictly comply with the requirements of section 627.7152, Florida Statutes.

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Court Reverses Judgment in Favor of Contractor, Holding That Judgment Against Subcontractor for Similar Claimed Damages Does Not Preclude Suit Against Contractor

The lawsuit arose over claims of defective work asserted against a general contractor and its HVAC subcontractor. After a default judgment was entered against the HVAC subcontractor, and paid by the HVAC subcontractor, the general contractor attempted to have judgment summarily entered in its favor. Though successful at the trial level, the judgment was reversed on appeal by Florida’s Sixth District Court of Appeal.

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Court Enters Order Finding Claims of Deficient Townhome Construction Were Timely Under Statute of Repose

Florida’s 9th Judicial Circuit recently ruled on competing motions for partial summary judgment, determining that a homeowner’s association’s claims for deficient construction of 104 townhomes were not barred by Florida’s statute of repose, and applying the date of the issuance of the last certificate of occupancy for the project and final payment due date to reach that conclusion.

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DBPR Enacts Two Emergency Orders Impacting Contractors as a Result of Hurricane Idalia

One extends the August 31, 2023 deadline to renew contractor licenses and complete continuing education to October 2, 2023, and the other expands the types of contractor licenses that can perform roofing work in 47 counties affected by Hurricane Idalia. NOTE, there is no suspension of contractor licensing requirements in general, and out of state contractors wanting to do work in Florida must be properly licensed to perform work in Florida, even under these DBPR emergency orders.

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