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Licensed contractor when signed, then DID NOT renew license and collected $151,000 while UNLICENSED, legal?

FloridaConstruction Contract

Contract signed 9/2018, License expired 1/1/2019--now trying to collect even more in overages! NC Board of General Contractors has received a formal complaint from me. Amounts over $30,000 and technically unlicensed? Am I responsible for more than the contract amount I paid in checks and allowances (for appliances, etc. which I purchased personally!).?? Contract $168,000 paid $165,904 in checks and over $3,000 in credits, etc. Isn't he unlawfully trying to collect more money from me? (yes, I am an elderly widow--no excuse just a fact!)

1 reply

Aug 19, 2019

In North Carolina, general contractors must be licensed on projects that cost or exceed $30,000. And, if the contractor is unlicensed on a project where licensure is required, that contractor cannot enforce their contract via legal remedies. So, any threats to take legal action based on allegedly unpaid and owing amounts are likely empty ones when a North Carolina contractor is unlicensed. Note, though, that according to this resource from the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors, a contractor will have 60 days from the time their license expires to renew before the license is deemed "invalid." For more background on North Carolina's licensure requirements, Ward and Smith, P.A. has a great resource. Florida I see you tagged "Florida" as the location for your question. Because you'd mentioned the North Carolina Board of General Contractors, I went ahead and assumed that the "Florida" designation was a mistake and answered for North Carolina. If this project took place in Florida, much of that same information will apply. On top of that, unlicensed Florida contractors may also face criminal penalties and fines. You can learn more about that here: Florida Contractor’s License: Requirements, Exceptions, and Penalties

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