Before You Report: What Information Should You Collect?

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.