Should i use a licensed contractor

Learn more. Find out how to begin your project, from choosing a builder, getting quotes and plans, to considering whether you want to do the work yourself.

The laws surrounding how much you should pay for a deposit and for progress payments are very specific. You can find practical advice on what to do and where to go when building or renovating a property. We need your help — if you see unlicensed contacting happening, report it to us. You can report unlicensed contracting here. ABN 88 Queensland Government. Google Tag Manager. Many unlicensed contractors will tell you that they are licensed when they are not. You can do a simple check online to see if they are indeed licensed.

If the contractor is found to be unlicensed or their license is suspended, do not hire them, as you will not be protected. Any contractor can show you an insurance policy or certificate, but that policy could be expired.

That way you will know for sure that their policy is enforce and you are protected. Insist on making that call yourself; otherwise it will not happen.

A lien release will protect you from subcontractors and vendors placing a lien on your home for money due to them by the contractor you hired and paid for the project. Licensed contractors will gladly provide you lien releases from all suppliers and subcontractors.

A lien release from the contractor does not absolve lien rights for subcontractors and vendors who supplied material and labor for your project. If a contractor insists that you pull the permits yourself, DO NOT DO IT, as that process will legally name you as the general contractor, removing liability from your hired contractor and placing it on you. Only licensed contractors are allowed to pull building permits on behalf of the homeowner.

Unlicensed contractors have advantages that enable them to provide the lowest prices. Without these added expenses, the unlicensed contractor can provide their services at a rate lower than the legitimately licensed professional, but it puts the consumer at risk.

The goal of the Orange County Consumer Fraud Office is to investigate consumer complaints and work to resolve them through mediation. The Office can also issue citations, refer the complaint to other appropriate agencies and even press criminal charges against the egregious party.

While many of these contractors are just too lazy and cheap to get their licenses, some of them are real criminals who will take your money without doing the work and even steal your property. These are organized criminals who canvas neighborhoods and business areas to lure you in with cheap prices.