AUSTIN – During a recent one-week undercover sting in the Austin area, investigators from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) found a total of 102 violations, mostly by unlicensed electricians and air conditioning and refrigeration contractors who offered to perform unlicensed work.
The sting was part of a national enforcement effort that was coordinated by the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA).
During the sting, TDLR investigators contacted people who advertised electrical and air conditioning services in local newspapers or on social media and did not include license information in the ads as they’re required to do by state law. Those contacted reported to a location to offer bids to perform work.
In one noteworthy incident during the investigation, an individual representing an unlicensed company visited the sting location to assess the requirements for electrical services. This individual, who was unlicensed himself, offered to perform the work independently – separate from the company he represented. The company submitted a bid of $5,400.59, while the individual verbally quoted the investigator a price of $2,500 and provided a handwritten list of necessary materials along with his phone number. He also proposed accompanying the investigator to a store to procure the materials.
TDLR urges Texas consumers hiring electricians and air conditioning and refrigeration contractors to always check to make sure their service providers are licensed by TDLR.
“When hiring an electrical contractor or air conditioning contractor, it’s so important to make sure they are licensed by TDLR. Licensed service providers have completed training and passed examinations that cover regulations and building codes designed to protect health and safety. They’ve also had criminal background checks and have liability insurance,” said Courtney Arbour, TDLR Executive Director.
In addition to the sting, TDLR Compliance staff visited several work sites in the Bryan/College Station area where electrical work was being performed, checking the license status of 21 people who were working as electricians. Compliance staff found five unlicensed workers as well as two company vehicles that were not properly marked as required.
When hiring a construction contractor, NASCLA recommends that consumers:
- Verify the contractor is actively licensed; always hire a licensed contractor
- Check TDLR licenses here: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch/
- Get 2-3 estimates – don’t automatically accept the lowest bid
- Check at least 3 references
- Require a written contract
- Don’t make a large down payment; make payments as work is completed
- Monitor the job in progress
- Don’t make the final payment until the job is complete
- Keep all paperwork related to your job
See the NASCLA website for more consumer awareness tips.
