FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 8, 2004
CONTACT: Meg Shannon (850) 922-8981

Executive Order Further Expands the Pool of Available Contractors

~Residential, building and general contractors in all counties can now perform roofing repairs ~

Tallahassee -- Executive Order number 04-197, signed yesterday by Governor Jeb Bush, expands Executive Order number 04-188, to all Florida counties. Licensed Florida residential, building and general contractors can now perform roofing and re-roofing repairs statewide in response to Hurricane Charley and Hurricane Frances. Licensed contractors fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).

“This Order provides relief for Hurricane Frances victims by creating a larger pool of licensed individuals to choose from,” said DBPR Secretary Diane Carr. “By hiring a licensed contractor, storm victims are taking the first important step in protecting themselves from becoming a victim a second time.”

The Order applies to registered, as well as certified, contractors. A certified contractor possesses a certificate of competency issued by DBPR and is allowed to contract in any jurisdiction in the state. A registered contractor, however, has fulfilled the competency requirements for the jurisdiction they are registered in and may only contract in that jurisdiction. The Order does not extend the geographical jurisdiction of registered contractors - that is determined locally through reciprocity agreements and ordinances. The roofing must be performed by the contractor's employees, or subcontracted to a properly licensed roofing contractor.

The Order applies to all jurisdictions, including cities, counties and special districts, in the state. It does not include metal or tile roofing; these types of jobs must still be performed by licensed roofing contractors only. Unlicensed, out of state contractors are not permitted to contract per this Order.