One of the clearest messages from our September 17 Unlicensed Contractor Activity Panel was simple:

The more detailed and well-documented the complaint, the more helpful it can be to the agencies responsible for investigating it.

Law enforcement and regulatory agencies need information they can act on. While a suspicion or general concern may be enough to start asking questions, providing specific details, photographs, documentation, and other evidence can help investigators better understand what may be occurring and determine the appropriate next steps.

What Should You Document?

If you encounter a situation where you believe unlicensed contracting activity may be taking place, consider documenting as much of the following as you can lawfully and safely obtain:

• The address or exact location where the work is taking place
• Date and approximate time you observed the activity
• Name of the individual or company performing the work, if known
• Company names, logos, phone numbers, or other information displayed on vehicles, trailers, clothing, signs, or paperwork
• Vehicle descriptions and license plate numbers, when visible
• A description of the type of work being performed
• Names and contact information for witnesses who may have relevant information
• Copies of advertisements, business cards, estimates, invoices, contracts, proposals, text messages, emails, or social-media posts related to the work
• Photographs or videos of the work or activity when they can be taken legally
• Any statements made about licensing, permitting, pricing, or the scope of the work
• Permit information, if known

The goal is not to conduct your own investigation. It is to provide the investigating agency with clear, factual information that helps establish who was involved, what work was being performed, where and when it occurred, and what evidence may be available.

Photos and Videos Can Be Valuable

Panelists specifically discussed the value of photographs and video.

If you are already lawfully present at the property or jobsite, such as when you have been called there to inspect, evaluate, repair, or perform work, documenting conditions you are permitted to observe may provide valuable evidence.

This can include photographs or video of work that has already been performed, equipment or materials being installed, visible code or workmanship concerns, or other conditions relevant to the suspected activity.

However, contractors should not enter property without permission, trespass, or attempt to gain access solely for the purpose of collecting evidence.

Law enforcement may have legal requirements—including obtaining a search warrant in appropriate circumstances—before entering private areas to gather additional evidence. That is one reason information collected by people who are already legitimately on site can be particularly useful.

Stick to the Facts

Another important consideration is to distinguish between what you personally observed and what you were told by someone else.

For example, instead of reporting:

“They are definitely an unlicensed contractor.”

It is more useful to provide facts such as:

“I observed this individual installing plumbing equipment at the property on September 10. The homeowner provided me with an invoice from the individual, and I was unable to locate a contractor license under the company name shown on the invoice.”

Allow the investigating agency to determine whether a violation occurred.

Don't Put Yourself in the Middle

You do not need to confront the suspected contractor or advise them that you intend to report the activity.

Your role is simply to document what you can safely and legally document and provide that information to the appropriate agency.

A detailed complaint can give investigators a much better starting point than a report that simply says, “I think someone is doing unlicensed work at this address.”

Good Information Helps Build Better Cases

Licensed contractors are often in a unique position to recognize work that may raise concerns. You understand the trade, know what requires licensing and permitting, and may be called to properties after problematic work has already taken place.

When reporting suspected unlicensed activity, specific facts, documentation, photographs, records, and firsthand observations can make a significant difference.

This is another important takeaway from our September 17 discussion and another way licensed contractors can help support responsible enforcement and protect the integrity of our industries.

Coming next: We’ll continue sharing additional information and resources arising from our Unlicensed Contractor Activity Panel in upcoming newsletters.

Report Unlicensed Contractor Activity

Following our sold-out Unlicensed Contractor Activity Panel on September 17, SWFL PHCC and MACCA are continuing the conversation by taking a closer look at several important topics raised during the event.

One of those topics was the need for qualified industry professionals who may be able to serve as expert witnesses or technical consultants.

During the panel discussion, we heard firsthand from law enforcement, regulatory officials, and representatives from the State Attorney’s Office about the challenges involved in investigating and pursuing cases involving unlicensed contracting activity. These cases—and many other legal and insurance matters involving plumbing and HVAC systems—can require experienced professionals who are able to evaluate work, explain industry standards and code requirements, identify improper installations or workmanship, and provide knowledgeable, objective opinions.

We know that there is an incredible amount of experience within our own membership. Many of our members have spent decades working in the plumbing and HVAC industries and have developed specialized expertise in areas such as code compliance, construction defects, gas systems, water damage, system failures, improper installations, estimating, and accepted industry practices.

We would like to help connect that expertise with the professionals who may need it.

SWFL PHCC and MACCA are working to develop an Expert Witness & Technical Consultant Resource that can be made available to local attorneys, insurance professionals, investigators, and others seeking qualified industry professionals.

You do not need to have previously served as an expert witness to express interest. If you have significant industry experience or specialized knowledge and would be interested in learning more about opportunities to provide technical consultation or expert-witness services, we would like to hear from you.

We are asking interested members to complete a brief questionnaire providing information about their professional background, licenses and certifications, areas of expertise, years of experience, geographic availability, and any previous expert-witness or consulting experience.

Interested in participating?

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRE

Information submitted will be reviewed before inclusion in the resource. Participation does not obligate a member to accept an assignment, and professionals will always have the opportunity to determine whether a particular matter falls within their area of expertise. Inclusion in the resource also does not guarantee that a member will be offered an assignment, as opportunities will depend on the needs and availability of attorneys, insurance professionals, investigators, and others seeking expert or technical assistance.

This is another way we can showcase the tremendous knowledge within our associations while providing a valuable resource to our local legal, insurance, regulatory, and business communities.

Stay tuned. Expert witnesses were just one of several important topics that came out of our September 17 discussion. We’ll continue highlighting additional issues, information, and resources from the Unlicensed Contractor Activity Panel in upcoming newsletters.

October is bringing a relatively light round of price adjustments across the PHCP-PVF industry, with several manufacturers announcing increases taking effect throughout the month. Heat Controller announced increases of up to 5% on water source heat pumps and residential geothermal products, while Spirax Sarco is implementing an average 4% increase across its portfolio. Western Enterprises also has product-specific increases taking effect Oct. 1.

Additional adjustments are scheduled later in the month, including a 0.64% increase from Robertshaw on Oct. 12 and an average 3.75% increase from Panasonic on Oct. 19. ZSI-Foster/Wesanco has also announced a price increase effective Oct. 26.

With material and equipment costs continuing to shift, keeping up with manufacturer pricing can help contractors plan purchasing and account for changes when estimating upcoming work. Click here to read more.

Every contractor knows what a bad hire really costs. The recruiting fees, the weeks of training, the callbacks, the customers who never call back. Then you're starting the whole search over again.

As a follow-up to his May presentation, "The New Workforce Reality," Jim Cosmas is offering SWFL PHCC members an exclusive 50% discount on First Move Assessment, his new pre-hire tool built for the trades.

First Move measures a candidate's work instinct before you hire, across the roles contractors actually hire for. You see whether someone fits the seat before the offer letter goes out. The goal is simple: hire people who actually stick.

Use code PHCC50 at firstmoveassessment.com. This rate is only for SWFL PHCC members.

Construction-related commodity prices increased 13.3% year over year, according to a new Cushman & Wakefield report, with tariffs, metals supply constraints and strong demand from data centers and infrastructure projects contributing to higher costs.

Aluminum rose 40.9%, copper base scrap 39.3%, and nonferrous metals 38.5%. Construction material prices overall increased 8.5% year over year in August, making material costs an increasingly important factor in project budgets.

For contractors, the report highlights the importance of early procurement, accurate estimating and planning for price volatility, particularly for projects requiring significant amounts of metal, equipment and electrical infrastructure.
Click here to read more.

Backflow prevention remains an important part of protecting water quality and maintaining safe plumbing systems. A recent discussion from Plumbing & Mechanical covers the basics of backflow, common causes, and what plumbing professionals and building owners should know.

The discussion also looks at codes and requirements, inspection and maintenance considerations, and advancements in backflow prevention technology. Staying informed on current requirements and proper system maintenance can help contractors better address backflow prevention needs on the job. Click here to listen to the podcast.

A sold-out room, a packed panel, and an important conversation for the industry.

MACCA (Manasota Air Conditioning Contractors Association) and SWFL PHCC (Southwest Florida Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors Association) brought contractors and industry professionals together on September 17 for an engaging discussion focused on unlicensed contractor activity and what licensed contractors can do to help address it.

Held at Courtyard Sarasota University Town Center, the sold-out event gave attendees the opportunity to hear directly from the regulatory, law enforcement, and legal professionals involved in investigating and addressing unlicensed work.

We extend a sincere thank-you to our panel, Detective Geraldine Brown of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office; Sergeant Jason Farrier and Detective Ryan Emkey of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Department; Lieutenant Brian Gregory of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office; Detective Corporal Joseph Rogers of the Palmetto Police Department; Kevin Henson and Nick Lata of the Office of the State Attorney, 12th Judicial Circuit; Lieutenant Matthew Brown of the North Port Police Department; Andrew Van Sickle of the Office of the State Attorney; and Matthew Dunklin, Florida DBPR Field Manager, Central FL/Division of Regulation, for joining us and sharing their knowledge and experience with our members.

Their participation gave contractors a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the agencies involved and gain a clearer understanding of how unlicensed activity is identified, investigated, and addressed. The panel covered what happens when a complaint is filed, what information agencies need, and how licensed contractors can help report potential violations.

Several important topics were raised throughout the conversation, and we’ll be addressing these issues in more depth in upcoming articles. Please stay tuned for additional information and resources for contractors.

For contractors who encounter potential unlicensed activity, gathering as much detail as possible and reporting it is an important first step. Reports can be submitted anonymously here, and we can submit the report on their behalf without including their personal information. 

A special thank-you goes to our event sponsors, Bulletproof AC and iMold Cleaning and Restoration, for supporting this important industry conversation and helping make the event possible.

Want to stay connected? 

Right now, SWFL PHCC memberships and annual sponsorships are 50% off!!

Starting October 1, memberships and annual sponsorships will be 15 months for the price of 12 months. That means three additional months of benefits at no additional cost.

If you’ve been considering joining The SWFL PHCC, this is a great opportunity to get connected and take advantage of the membership benefits available to you.

Become a Member: https://swflphcc.org/benefits

Become an Annual Sponsor: https://swflphcc.org/annual-sponsorship

Heat pump water heaters are expected to play a growing role in the residential plumbing market, making it increasingly important for contractors to understand how the technology differs from traditional electric water heaters.

Proper installation requires attention to airflow, manufacturer instructions, operating modes, and system setup. Contractors will also need to be prepared to explain the technology and potential energy savings to homeowners as interest continues to grow.

With changes to water-heating efficiency standards on the horizon, building familiarity with heat pump water heaters now can help contractors prepare for what’s ahead. Click here to read more.

Four major organizations have committed a combined $555 million to strengthen America’s skilled-trades workforce. The investments will support paid training, Registered Apprenticeships, and career development opportunities in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and other skilled trades.

The new initiatives are designed to connect students and workers with training and career opportunities as demand for qualified tradespeople continues to grow. One program will provide coursework and paid on-the-job training for approximately 15,000 students across multiple regions.

With employers continuing to seek skilled workers, these investments highlight the growing focus on building the next generation of the trades workforce.
Click here to read more.

We are pleased to introduce the SWFL PHCC Government & Industry Affairs Committee, a new committee established to strengthen communication between our members and the building officials, inspectors, local government representatives, and other industry stakeholders who impact our businesses and industry.

One of the Committee's primary responsibilities is to serve as a resource for members experiencing challenges related to permitting, inspections, code enforcement, conflicting requirements, or other industry-related matters. When concerns are brought to our attention, our goal is to gather the facts, open a constructive dialogue with the appropriate parties, and work collaboratively toward clarification and resolution.

We recently had an opportunity to put that mission into action.

Several of our contractors recently raised concerns about Manatee County's backflow requirements, particularly in flood-prone areas where devices may be located in swales or low spots. If you are a member we contacted you directly via email with the details on this item, actions that have taken place and steps that have been put in place to address this issue. 

A full overview of the issues has been added to the members only area of the website if you would like more info. Login is required to access.