A four-month undercover sting aimed at unlicensed contractors in Hillsborough County has ended with 50 arrests, FOX 13 Tampa Bay reported.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office announced the results of "Operation Bad Builder" at a news conference, saying the effort targeted people exploiting residents who are still trying to rebuild.
How the sting worked
Undercover detectives secured a location in Riverview and posed as residents looking for home repairs, according to FOX 13. Between June 1 and Oct. 2, investigators responded to online advertisements, including postings from people who had previously been reported for incomplete or poorly done work.
"This is people we went out online, we did our research and found that they were unlicensed, invited them to come provide a quote," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "Some of these individuals, we specifically targeted because we already had complaints from the county that some of them completed shoddy work. Stole people's money and never completed the work."
Deputies arrested 50 people during the operation. Authorities said 18 of those arrested are in the country illegally.
Who they met
Among those arrested was Steven Andreassen, 56, who was arrested for performing electrical work without a license, FOX 13 reported. The sheriff's office said Andreassen had been arrested in June for domestic battery by strangulation and has prior out-of-state arrests for violent and drug offenses.
Detectives also met with Calvin Wilson, who quoted $14,000 for heating and air conditioning work and wanted half of it up front, according to the station. Wilson had previously been arrested for the same offense in Pinellas County, and the sheriff's office said he is a convicted felon.
Sheriff's officials have not disclosed estimates of total money lost by homeowners who filed complaints before the sting.
The pitch: skip the permits
Chronister said unlicensed operators often win over homeowners by promising to skip the red tape.
"They're saying, 'Hey, we can get started immediately. Don't worry about the permit process. We don't need permits. There's no lengthy inspection process. We'll get started immediately,'" he said. "And then, I think the most enticing factor is all the money that they convince us that they can save us."
FOX 13 reported that demand for construction services continues to surge as Hillsborough residents try to recover from back-to-back hurricanes.
Sheriff's officials stressed that hiring unlicensed workers creates serious safety hazards and often leaves victims with unfinished work and empty bank accounts. Licensed professionals must pass required testing to show their trade skills before working in people's homes.
Advice for homeowners
Deputies urged residents to avoid online and social media ads for quick home repairs, always get a written contract, never pay the full balance up front, and walk away if something feels wrong. Homeowners can check any trade license at MyFloridaLicense.com.
Richard Cranker, business manager of UA Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 123, added his own advice. "Get proof of insurance from them and insist that the contractor pull the proper permits for the work that you hired them to do," he said.
Why it matters for contractors
Every licensed contractor in the Tampa Bay area has lost a bid to someone who promised to start tomorrow, skip the permit and charge less. Operation Bad Builder is a reminder that law enforcement is paying attention, and that the people undercutting legitimate firms are sometimes doing far worse than cutting corners.
The sting also hands licensed contractors an easy way to set themselves apart. The sheriff's office advice to homeowners lines up with how professional firms already work: show your license, carry insurance, put everything in a written contract, pull the permits and don't ask for the whole job up front. Contractors should make those points part of every sales conversation and put their license number where customers can see it.
After storms, demand runs high and homeowners are under pressure, which is exactly when unlicensed operators move in. Trades groups and licensed firms can help by pointing homeowners to MyFloridaLicense.com and reporting unlicensed activity when they see it. Every job that goes to an unlicensed worker is a job that didn't go to a licensed, insured firm.