Deputies Bust 10 Unlicensed Home Repair Contractors in Dunedin
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office netted 10 unlicensed contractors offering home repair services through Internet and newspaper ads during a two-day sting operation on Roanoke Street in Dunedin.
A two-day sting in Dunedin netted 10 unlicensed contractors offering home repair services via Internet and newspaper listings, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said during a press conference in Largo on Friday.
Most of the trucks and cars had no business names on them. The one vehicle with a name on it, had a "fake" license number on it, Gualtieri said.
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies combed through home-repair listings on Craiglist, Angie's List and The Seminole Beacon, and made 38 phone calls to several contractors offering a variety of roofing, plumbing, air-conditioning and electrical services. The advertisements did not contain the contractors' license numbers, Gualtieri said.
Eight unlicensed contractors showed up on Wednesday and Thursday to an undercover location on brick-lined Roanoke Street, which is in the heart of Dunedin's southside neighborhood. A short-lived neighborhood watch group on nearby Lyndhurst Street recently disbanded because of claims deputies were not taking their concerns seriously.
The contractors offered undercover officials services valued from $50 to $1,500, according to a news release. One individual wanted about $800 cash in advance for $1,500 of work, Gualtieri said.
The people arrested Wednesday and Thursday had permanent addresses in Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Largo, St. Petersburg, and Orlando.
Unlicensed contractors are "really preying on people in Pinellas...they are just flat our ripping-off people," Gualtieri said.
"The contractors are largely doing shoddy, not-to-code work. Citizens can protect themselves. We highly advise them to check license numbers. We will schedule more of these operations. We want people to know we are watching," Gualtieri said.
Pinellas County residents can check online and verify if a contractor is licensed. A licensed contractor will carry a card with a license number, which can be double-checked.
"We are going to be looking and verifying license numbers are accurate," Gualtieri said.
For first-time offenders, providing home repairs without a license, is a first-degree misdemeanor under the unlicensed contractor law. None of the 10 people arrested had prior convictions. Some of the individuals did have previous complaints filed against them, Gualtieri said
The Sheriff's Strategic Enforcement Section, The Department of Business and Professional Regulation, The Department of Financial Services Insurance Fraud Unit and the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board assisted.
-Ed Harris-
2:16 pm on Saturday, December 15, 2012
Please take note of the comment about Angie's list and Craig's list! This was but the tip of the problem. There are hundreds listed on those lists who are just waiting to pounce. As for plumbers, not that it is always the end all fact but Harris Plumbing has been here since 1947. To be fair Dunedin Plumbing, Bayshore Plumbing and Gus Plumbing has also been here for many many years too. These are your long time local plumbers. All properly insured and licensed, all local with most living locally too. Just food for thought.
Kathleen Kimpel, PhD
2:16 pm on Saturday, December 15, 2012
Why not utilize your limited resources to bust the employers in our community who are exploiting undocumented workers????? or would that be embarassing to you?
Junior
10:22 am on Sunday, December 16, 2012
How about arresting the illegal aliens also Who are taking jobs from hard working citizens.
Bert Halle
10:22 am on Sunday, December 16, 2012
For consumers that are concerned about getting a job done right also should not rely solely on whether a contractor has a license . There are good and bad licensed contractors ask detailed questions and for references, and in most cases don’t always take the lowest bid you get what you pay for. A good contractor will want you to understand the scope of the job and why there price is reflected in it as well as references. A good source to check on a contractor is the Florida department of business professional regulation there web link: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp
Concerned
1:16 pm on Sunday, December 16, 2012
I am not sure why the Neighborhood Crime watch was mentioned in this article, this has nothing to do with the problems we deal with as a neighborhood. We are dealing with DRUG DEALERS and peeping toms. These "contractors with out a license" are most likely guys who are out of regular jobs and are trying to make money to feed their familys by doing a job. Now granted they are breaking the law because they dont have a license to do so but this has nothing to do with our Neighborhood watch on Lyndhurst st. However the officers are out here now in mass numbers and are making a difference for that we Thank you please keep it up.
-Ed Harris-
1:54 pm on Sunday, December 16, 2012
Bert, you said it all! I agree!
James Cole
10:40 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Not only are the license a consideration, but my wife and I had some trees trimmed by a supposed licensed, insured, and certified arborist. However, after checking the credentials, it was discovered that the insurance had lapsed and the arborist certification was not verifiable. Unfortunately we did not discover this until after the work had been completed. Make sure you do your homework prior to having any work peformed. In addition, this same contractor sold us a root barrier project to keep the Oak tree roots from breaking up our driveway, and when the work was performed they did not call the utility companies before they started digging, even after we requested they do so. THEY CUT THE VERIZON FIBER OPTIC CABLE! Fortunately, we had insurance with Verizon to cover the repair, but as a home owner, do not take the liability risk and make sure YOU call before any digging. This contractor also violated several safety precautions for its workers which put their employees at risk of personal injury. Needless to say, my wife and I were so happy to pay them and see them leave as soon as possible. Do yourselves a favor and listen to all the above advice, and pay heed to this article. It will eliminate much anxiety, headaches and possibly money!