Florida Contractor Licensing & Liability Attorneys

St. Augustine's Largest Law Firm

Florida Contractor Licensing & Liability Attorneys | St. Augustine Construction Law

Contractor Licensing & Liability in Florida

Florida law holds contractors to strict licensing and professional standards. Whether you are a contractor defending your license or a property owner harmed by unlicensed work, the consequences of contractor licensing and liability issues can be significant.

Attorney Shaun Saliba has a dedicated construction law practice

At St. Johns Law Group—St. Augustine’s Largest Law Firm—our team of 12 attorneys with more than 265 years of combined legal experience helps clients navigate licensing disputes, liability claims, and construction law challenges across Northeast Florida and Southern Georgia. Known for being Dedicated and Responsive®, we fight to protect your reputation, your business, and your investment.

Why Contractor Licensing Matters

Under Florida law, contractors performing work without the required license may face:

Civil liability: Unlicensed contractors cannot enforce contracts for payment.
Criminal penalties: Unlicensed contracting can result in misdemeanor or felony charges.
Liability exposure: Contractors may be responsible for damages, defective work, or code violations.
Regulatory discipline: Licensed contractors risk fines, suspension, or revocation for violations.

Common Licensing & Liability Disputes

Our attorneys regularly handle disputes involving:

Unlicensed contractors performing work illegally.
Homeowners or property owners seeking damages for defective or unsafe construction.
Contractors defending against exaggerated claims or false allegations of unlicensed activity.
Licensing board complaints and administrative hearings before the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
Construction defect claims, often linked to licensing issues (see our Construction Contract, Defect & Builder Law page).

Defending Contractors

Even licensed contractors may face liability claims from dissatisfied owners or regulatory complaints from DBPR. We assist contractors with:

Responding to licensing board investigations.
Defending against claims of defective or incomplete work.
Litigating breach of contract and payment disputes.
Protecting professional licenses from suspension or revocation.

Protecting Property Owners

Owners who unknowingly hire unlicensed contractors often suffer financial losses. Florida law provides remedies for owners, including the right to:

Void contracts with unlicensed contractors.
Recover damages for defective or non-compliant work.
Pursue construction liens and payment dispute defenses (see our Construction Liens & Payment Disputes page).

Why Choose St. Johns Law Group?

12 attorneys, 265 years of combined legal experience in Florida construction law.
Local advantage: based in St. Augustine, serving clients across Northeast Florida and Southern Georgia.
Representation for both contractors and property owners.
A reputation for being Dedicated and Responsive® to every client.

We also provide guidance on related issues such as Hidden Defects & Johnson v. Davis Claims and Florida Statute Chapter 558 Claims.