For years, Rocco DiBenedetto has noticed an increasing problem with unlicensed contractors in the Dade County, Florida, area. In fact, the county government ceased enforcement of code requirements for contractors in 2009. So, DiBenedetto, owner of Homestead, Florida-based All Air of South Dade, took matters into his own hands and formed the Miami-Dade Contractors Alliance in 2011, which works to regain enforcement and curb unlicensed activity.
“I’ve grown up in the industry and this has always been a problem. It’s never going to go away. At this point, it’s an epidemic,” DiBenedetto said. “Right now, we’re probably at seven to eight unlicensed contractors to every one licensed contractor. And it seems to be happening just in our area. If you go one county north of us, they have a very robust unlicensed activity taskforce presence. They do monthly stings and are constantly monitoring the industry for advertisements. If you come to Dade County, they’re not doing anything.”