Newly Created 489.1132, Florida Statutes, Creates New Regulations for Cranes and similar Equipment During Hurricanes
In response to recent natural disasters impacting Florida, on June 30, 2025, Governor DeSantis signed SB 180 into law. While the bill alters multiple statutes, relevant to this blog, it creates 489.1132, Florida Statutes, entitled “Regulation of hoisting equipment used in construction, demolition, or excavation work during a hurricane.”
Court Determines Contractor’s Company is Unlicensed Despite Owner being Licensed
This case from Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeal thoroughly evaluates the licensing requirements for business engaged in contracting in Florida and concludes that it is not sufficient for an owner of the company to have a license. The license holder must also formally become the qualifying agent for the company. In this case, the lack of proper licensure resulted in the contractor’s contract for a new home being declared unenforceable.
Newly Enacted HB 683 (2025) Expands Scope of Work That Can Be Performed by Certified Alarm System Contractors
While HB 683 (2025) modifies several statutes that apply to the construction industry, from a licensing perspective, it updates the definition of a Certified Alarm System Contractor to expand the scope of work that can be performed by those contractors.
Newly Enacted HB 715 / SB 1076 (2025) Imposes New Requirements on Roofing Contractors
Since 2019, roofing contractors have seen new requirements and changes to their scopes of work imposed under Florida’s contractor licensing statutes. Many of these changes require contractual disclosures and impose various timelines, including cancellation deadlines. Most recently HB 715 (formerly SB 1076) was signed into law by Governor DeSantis. The new bill creates multiple changes to Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, that effect roofers.
Court Reverses Judgment in Favor of Contractor After Determining Contractor Was Unlicensed.
This case from Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal addresses Florida’s statute declaring that contracts entered into by unlicensed contractors are unenforceable.
Court Reinstates Contractor's Lien After Holding that Claimed Local Licensing Violations Do Not Necessarily Fall Under 489.128, Florida Statutes
Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal reinstated a contractor’s construction lien after finding that alleged unlicensed contracting in violation of local ordinances did not trigger the application of 489.128, Florida Statute. The court does a good job of outlining the differences between state and local licensing laws and the penalties and scope of enforcement available at the state and local level.
Court Confirms that Electrical Contractors can Perform Excavation As Part of Their License Without Also Being Licensed Underground Utility Contractors
This case from Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal addresses the issue of whether an electrical contractor can contractor for work that includes the scope of work typically reserved to licensed underground utility and excavation contractors.
New Law is Just the Latest Set of New Requirements for Roofing Contractors in Florida
The new statute goes into effect July 1, 2024 and imposes new requirements for roofing contracts with residential property owners. Failing to comply could subject contractors to $10,000 fines.
New Statute Allowing HVAC Contractors to Perform Additional Electrical Work and Expanding Warranty Requirements to be Presented to Governor
The new statute modifies the definitions of work that can be performed by Class A and B HVAC contractors and Mechanical contractors in Florida to include additional electrical work. It also requires warranties on HVAC systems to be transferable and eliminates certain hurdles to transferability.
Two 4th Circuit Orders Grant Summary Judgment Finding that General Contractors Have Non-Delegable Duty to Ensure Construction Complies with Florida Building Code
The orders found that, as a matter of law, the two general contractors in those cases had a duty to supervise, direct, manage, and control the work to ensure compliance with the Florida Building Code, and that such duty could not be delegated to subcontractors or other parties working on the project. The impact of the decisions appears to limit the relevant general contractors’ ability to require liability to be apportioned between various subcontractors.
New Statute Will Dramatically Impact Roofing Contractors and Contractors That Receive Insurance Proceeds
The new statute, Florida Senate Bill 76, was passed by the Florida legislature in its most recent session and was signed into law by Governor Desantis, with an effective date of July 1, 2021. The statute adds new requirements and contract disclosures for roofing contractors and greatly limits the way contractors who work with homeowner insurance companies can market themselves.