MyFloridaCode.com

Evening all,

  It seems like recently there are a lot more guys out there doing work
without a license, insurance and worker's comp (insurance or exemption).
For clarification, when I say license I'm mainly referring to the local
business tax receipt.  Many of these guys know full well they are operating
illegally but some seem to think that as long as they are working for "just
a homeowner" they don't need some or all of these.  I've heard things like,
"I'm just going at my own risk" with regards to not having insurance.  One
guy I ran into recently who was laying tile tried to say that Walton County
doesn't require any of that.  He tried to justify it by saying he was
performing a "service" in just repairing their tile.  He said they already
had tile and he was just replacing it with new tile, he wasn't really doing
anything construction related (I tried really hard to hold back the
laughter).  There are just a lot of guys out there that are, in my opinion,
operating completely illegally.  Not only are they endangering themselves
and the homeowner by not having liability insurance but they are not paying
for worker's comp and probably not reporting income and thus paying taxes.
All this adds up to their ability to undercut those of us who have all this
and have to make enough to pay for it.

 

  So, my question is where can I find the best info on all the requirements
for doing business, specifically in the construction field.  I know guys
doing tile and such are not licensed per se like a general contractor,
electrician, plumber, etc but they still have requirements right?  And what
are the penalties for operating in this manner.  Also, is there any penalty
for a homeowner or contractor who hires these types?  It is my understanding
that if a homeowner hires an unlicensed, uninsured person then they are
required to withhold the appropriate taxes and carry appropriate insurance.
If so, where can I find info on this?  I'd just like to have something in
writing that I can give to these guys (and homeowners) to "educate" them on
the requirements.

 

Thanks,

 

Ken Rodgers

ArtisanBilt Construction

 

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