A Florida contractor took your money, did poor work, or walked off the job. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation is your first line of defense. Here's exactly how the complaint process works.
You hired a contractor. Something went wrong — they took your deposit and disappeared, they did work that failed inspection, they abandoned the job, or they did work so far below what you agreed to that it's essentially worthless.
You want to do something about it. In Florida, the most powerful tool available to homeowners in contractor disputes is the Department of Business and Professional Regulation — the DBPR. Here's how to use it.
What the DBPR Is and Why It Has Power
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation is the state agency that licenses and regulates contractors. Every licensed contractor in Florida — general contractors, electrical contractors, plumbing contractors, HVAC contractors, and others — holds a license issued by the DBPR or one of its related boards.
That license is how they make their living. Losing it, or having it suspended or restricted, is a serious professional consequence. This is why a DBPR complaint has leverage that a strongly worded email does not.
When a licensed contractor receives a DBPR complaint, they know the consequences of an adverse determination are real. This is why we've seen contractors — like the one in the Fox Residence case — return full deposits within 48 hours of receiving a demand letter that explicitly referenced DBPR's enforcement authority.
What the DBPR Can Do
When a complaint is filed and investigated, the DBPR has authority to:
- Issue a reprimand (a formal mark on the contractor's license record)
- Require restitution to the homeowner
- Impose fines on the contractor
- Suspend the contractor's license
- Revoke the contractor's license
- Place the contractor on probation with conditions
For a contractor whose livelihood depends on their Florida license, even a reprimand is a serious matter. License suspension or revocation is career-ending.
What DBPR Complaints Can Address
The DBPR handles complaints about licensed contractors for:
- Abandoning a construction project without just cause
- Failing to perform contracted work
- Accepting payment for work not performed
- Performing work that is grossly below accepted industry standards
- Performing work without required permits
- Performing work outside the scope of their license
- Fraud, misrepresentation, or deceit in the practice of contracting
- Failing to maintain required insurance
- Violations of Florida Statute 489 (the contractor licensing statute)
What DBPR Complaints Cannot Directly Address
The DBPR is a regulatory agency, not a collection agency. Filing a DBPR complaint does not directly get your money back — it disciplines the contractor. Restitution can be ordered, but enforcement of that order may require additional steps.
For getting money back, the DBPR complaint works best in combination with a demand letter (which creates leverage) and, if necessary, small claims or county court proceedings.
How to File a DBPR Complaint — Step by Step
Step 1: Verify the contractor's license. Go to myfloridalicense.com and search for the contractor by name and company. Confirm: - They hold an active Florida license - The license type covers the work they performed - The license was active at the time the work was done
If the contractor isn't licensed, the DBPR still wants to know — unlicensed contracting is a violation they investigate separately.
Step 2: Gather your documentation. Before filing, assemble: - The written contract or any written agreement (texts and emails count) - Proof of payment (bank statements, canceled checks, credit card statements) - Photographs of the work performed and any deficiencies - Photographs of incomplete work - Any inspection reports or failed inspection notices - All written communications with the contractor - A timeline of events
Step 3: File online at myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/complaints. The complaint form asks for: - Your contact information - The contractor's name, company, and license number - A description of the alleged violation - The date the work was contracted and the date of the violation - The contract amount and amount paid
Be specific and factual in your description. Describe what was agreed to, what was paid, what was not done or was done incorrectly, and what the specific violation is. Avoid emotional language — stick to facts and let the facts speak.
Step 4: Attach your documentation. The complaint form allows document uploads. Attach your contract, proof of payment, and key photographs. The more documentation you provide, the stronger your complaint.
Step 5: Send a demand letter simultaneously. File the DBPR complaint and send a formal demand letter to the contractor on the same day or within a day or two. The demand letter informs the contractor: - You've filed a DBPR complaint (or are about to) - What you're demanding (completion of work or return of funds) - The timeframe for response (10-14 business days) - That failure to respond will result in further legal action
Reference Florida Statute 489.129 specifically in the demand letter — this is the statute that governs contractor misconduct and sets out the penalties. Contractors who know you know the law respond differently than those who think you don't.
What Happens After You File
The DBPR will acknowledge receipt of your complaint. A probable cause determination is made — whether the complaint, if true, would constitute a violation of Florida law. If probable cause is found, the complaint is referred for investigation.
The investigation may include requests for records from both you and the contractor, interviews, and inspection of the work if applicable.
Resolution options include: a settlement agreement between the contractor and the DBPR, a formal hearing if the contractor contests the allegations, or a finding of no violation.
DBPR complaint processing in Florida can take 6-18 months for a full investigation and resolution. The leverage, however — the contractor knowing the complaint has been filed and that their license is at risk — often produces faster informal resolution.
The Bottom Line
The DBPR complaint is the most powerful tool a Florida homeowner has in a contractor dispute. It's free to file, it carries real consequences for licensed contractors, and it creates leverage that a letter or a phone call alone doesn't have. Use it when a contractor has taken your money and not delivered.
Questions about your specific situation? We're licensed Florida contractors — not a call center. Book a free 15-minute call and get a straight answer.
Questions About Your Situation?
We're licensed Florida contractors — not a call center.
Book a free 15-minute call and get a straight answer about your specific situation.