Fighting unlicensed contracting

Apr 13, 2010 2 min read

To the editor:

I am being attacked

I am being attacked every day and it is threatening mine and my family’s very existence.

I am being attacked by you, the unlicensed contractor, who works cheap because you don’t have to pay for insurance, taxes or workers comp.

I am being attacked by you, the homeowner who is allowed to hire employees without paying employee taxes, Social Security and workers comp.

I am being attacked by you, the handyman who works outside the scope of your license.

I am being attacked by you, the law and code enforcers who do not enforce upon others the same laws you enforce upon me.

I am being attacked by the very legal system that is in place to control me.

But I am fighting back;

I see you on Craig’s list, I look for you on the streets and I will see if there is a permit on your building, I will seek you out, and I will report you.

I am fighting back;

I will be a voice, a loud voice that will force the law enforcers to charge you the same $10,000 per employee that they would charge me for not having workers comp.

I will force the system to fine or jail you the same as they would me for not paying employee taxes and Social Security.

I will seek out the handyman who advertises you do work outside of the scope of your license, I will get your license number and I will attack your livelihood the same as you attack mine.

I am fighting back and I will not be silenced.

Rod Hill, President Associated Roofing Specialist, Inc. and Construction Services

Cape Coral