Cape Coral Alerts Residents About Shady Contractor Schemes as More Get Caught

Law enforcement across three Southwest Florida counties caught 32 unlicensed workers this year, with 16 arrests in Lee County, 14 in Charlotte County, and two in Collier County.

Through social media posts, Cape Coral warned about construction fraud. Officials stressed that residents should check licenses, split payments across project milestones, and review past work samples.

Attorney Beatriz Cardoza, who handles construction disputes, explained the local risk factors. "Southwest Florida is a hot spot for bad contracting because we get hit with hurricanes on a regular basis. We have a lot of flooding," said Cardoza, according to WINK News.

Residents can check the state's Department of Business and Professional Regulation website for licenses by using a search tool. Type in basic details like business names or license numbers to verify credentials.

Cardoza stressed the basics of protecting yourself. "You need to read through the contract. That's step one. Step two is, by law, your contractor should have their license number on the contract. It should be on the first page. You need to see if they're actually licensed," she said.

Not all home projects need special permits. Painting walls, installing cabinets, or putting down new floors don't require licensed pros. 

Homeowners are encouraged to report unlicensed contractors by calling Code Compliance at 239-242-3783 or emailing the Code Compliance Department.