Don't Pay Twice for Home Repairs

Doing repairs on your home is often expensive and when it comes down to the last minutes before closing the sale of a property, judgments are often made to do a repair at the cheapest price.  All too often the cheapest price comes from unlicensed people who will gladly install improper equipment for a cheap price.  Here are a few examples of what I have found, which has caused homeowners to pay twice for repairs in an attempt to comply with a contract.

(1)               Installing non-matching HVAC equipment.

(2)               Installing a gas water heater on old, not to code, copper pipe or not having drain pans or proper discharge lines, without a permit.

(3)               Installing a roof-over on shingles without a building permit or the nail pattern is incorrect.

(4)               Not having permits and inspections on structural repairs or additions.

(5)               Plumbing and electrical upgrades without permits.

(6)               Set back violations for sheds, screened enclosures, decking and pools.

Ia an attempt to save as much money for the seller or buyer, it is essential for either party, hire the right person for the job. All to often either party or agent hire the wrong person, which can cost either party dearly, either in the loss a sales contract, fines levied by a building department or the loss of a professional license.  Don’t take on an additional liability for yourself, pay a fair price and hire a licensed professional to make all repairs.

 In Florida, there is no such thing as a licensed handyman.  There are limitations to what a handyman can do and when hiring an unlicensed person, all responsibility falls back onto the homeowner or the agent who hired them.  Contracts with handymen are not legal contracts and handymen can't file a lien on a property from a project that was not in the scope of work, in which a handyman can do.  If you have questions, ask your local building department or simply hire a licensed contractor. Paying an unlicensed person for repairs, which requires a licensed person to perform, may require you to pay twice for the repair.