In a staggering number of situations, people who engage in unlicensed contracting have previously informed property owners (often on residential projects) that they are not licensed - although representing they are capable of performing a certain scope of work. Sometimes, they are indeed quite capable. However, an owner's consent or knowledge of contracting without a license, whether performing work without the required license at all or exceeding the project price or scope allowed, does not mean you have the green light to proceed. It also does not alleviate liability or penalties that you may face in a court of law or before a regulatory board.
Even if the money to be made on a project is not the driving factor such that unlicensed contracting is less willful, countless people truly think that if an owner consents, he or she is permitted to proceed. This is not the case. No one has permission to bypass licensing laws, and an owner giving the appearance of propriety moving forward is dangerous. It does not mean they cannot or will not report you to your local board or file a lawsuit again you... and win. With the customer you least expect, this seems to happen. Dancing with danger is not worth the risk.
If you are unsure what rules apply to you, inquire with your local licensing board and stay tuned. Ignorance of these rules is no excuse. It is always best to be proactive rather than reactive, and realize what you don't know. If you're interested in becoming more proactive, Contact Us because All For Contractors is All For You!
