Guide for Contractors: Complying with Florida Statute 489.126 on Deposit Monies

Understanding and complying with Florida Statute 489.126 is essential for contractors to maintain legal standards and build trust with clients. This statute outlines how you must handle deposit monies received for residential construction projects. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure you meet these legal requirements: Step 1: Initial Payment and Permits Receive Initial Payment: Apply … Read more

DPBR Complaint: You received a Uniform Complaint. What do you do now?

The Division of Professional and Business Responsibility (DBPR) is the Florida agency responsible for regulating many licensed professionals through its multiple divisions including contractors, real estate professionals, architects, engineers, and much more. A member of the public can submit a Uniform Complaint form, or the Department may initiate a investigation. If the Department believes that … Read more

Qualifying a Construction Business in Florida: How much should the Qualifier be paid?

(Need a Qualifier Agreement?, Go to our main qualifier agreement page for more infomation, Click Here!) Oftentimes, Qualifiers ask the firm when preparing their Qualifier Agreements, “How much should I get paid?” While, there is no clear answer to this question, there are some things to consider . First and foremost, a qualifier should ask … Read more

Attorney Andrew Douglas Sworn in as Broward County Traffic Hearing Officer

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA – (December 28, 2018)  Andrew Douglas, P.A., proudly announces that on December 5, 2018 its principal attorney Andrew Douglas was sworn in as a Traffic Hearing Officer for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit in and for Broward County, Florida. In addition to his litigation practice, Attorney Douglas will adjudicate traffic infraction matters at … Read more

Fraud, Fraud in the Inducement, the Independent Tort Doctrine, and the Confusion in Florida Courts

Fraud in the context of contractual relationship brings with it a tricky set of issues that even some Florida Courts fail to fully understand and appreciate. Florida Courts acknowledge the long-standing independent tort doctrine which provides which states in relevant part from Indemnity Ins. Co. of North America v. American Aviation, Inc., 891 So.2d 532, 536-537 … Read more

Personal Liability for Fraudulent Lien or Slander of Title for Lien filed on Behalf of Business, Not So Fast.

Executing a lien on behalf of the contracting entity does not create individual liability. See BRUCE TANSEY CUSTOM CARPENTRY, INC. v GOODMAN , 33 So.3d 70, (Fla. 2nd DCA 2010), “Even if the complaint had alleged that Tansey was individually liable, the evidence did not support individual liability where Custom Carpentry was the lienor and Tansey signed … Read more

Andrew Douglas P.A. Successfully Defends Felony Unlicensed Contracting Charge for Client

WESTON, FLORIDA – (July, 5, 2018) Andrew Douglas, P.A., is pleased to announce that it has successfully defended its client against a felony criminal charge of Unlicensed Contracting During a Declared State of Emergency (Engage in Contracting Violation During Existence of State of Emergency.) The State Attorney’s Office for the 15th Judicial Circuit, in and … Read more

Florida Lien Law: Using Lien Statute to Foreclose Worthless Collateral, Why and When?

Recently, the Florida Construction Attorney Articles discussed how tenant improvements can subject a landlord to lien liability (see Article on Florida Lien Law: Liens and Leases), but what can be done when a Fee Simple Owner properly avoids liability through compliance with Fla. Stat. 713.10(2)(a) which states, “[w]hen the lease expressly provides that the interest of the … Read more

Florida DBPR CILB – Finding the Forms to Qualify Business Entities and Additional Entities on DBPR Website

(Need a Qualifier Agreement?, Go to our main qualifier agreement page for more infomation, Click Here!) Go to the Website for DBPR Construction Industry http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/construction-industry/ 2. Click on the Apply for a License Tab   3. Click on your License type. Choose form to Qualify Business or Qualify Additional Business. Forms Include: For new licensees … Read more

Construction Law: Qualifier/Qualifying Agreement – Qualifying Additional Business Entities – Proof of Supervision

(Need a Qualifier Agreement?, Go to our main qualifier agreement page for more infomation, Click Here!) In recent years, the Construction Industry Licensing Board (“CILB”)has expressed concerns with qualifiers that qualify more than one business entity. The CILB requires that a licensee appear before the board at a monthly meeting in order for the board … Read more

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