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Disclosure Statement
Effective Date: July 1, 2019
1. I understand that state law requires construction to be done by a licensed
contractor and have applied for an owner-builder permit under an exemption
from the law. The exemption specifies that I, as the owner of the property listed,
may act as my own contractor with certain restrictions even though I do not have
a license.
2. I understand that building permits are not required to be signed by a property
owner unless he or she is responsible for the construction and is not hiring a
licensed contractor to assume responsibility.
3. I understand that, as an owner-builder, I am the responsible party of record on a
permit. I understand that I may protect myself from potential financial risk by hiring
a licensed contractor and having the permit filed in his or her name instead of my
own name. I also understand that a contractor is required by law to be licensed
in Florida and to list his or her license numbers on permits and contracts.
4. I understand that I may build or improve a one-family or two-family residence or
a farm outbuilding. I may also build or improve a commercial building if the costs
do not exceed $75,000. The building or residence must be for my own use or
occupancy. It may not be built or substantially improved for sale or lease, unless
I am completing the requirements of a building permit where the contractor listed
on the permit substantially completed the project. If a building or residence that
I have built or substantially improved myself is sold or leased within 1 year after the
construction is complete, the law will presume that I built or substantially improved
it for sale or lease, which violates the exemption.
5. I understand that, as the owner-builder, I must provide direct, onsite supervision of
the construction.
6. I understand that I may not hire an unlicensed person to act as my contractor or
to supervise persons working on my building or residence. It is my responsibility to
ensure that the persons whom I employ have the licenses required by law and by
county or municipal ordinance.
7. I understand that it is a frequent practice of unlicensed persons to have the
property owner obtain an owner-builder permit that erroneously implies that the
property owner is providing his or her own labor and materials. I, as an owner-
builder, may be held liable and subjected to serious financial risk for any injuries
sustained by an unlicensed person or his or her employees while working on my
property. My homeowner’s insurance may not provide coverage for those
injuries. I am willfully acting as an owner-builder and am aware of the limits of my
insurance coverage for injuries to workers on my property.
8. I understand that I may not delegate the responsibility for supervising work to a
licensed contractor who is not licensed to perform the work being done. Any
person working on my building who is not licensed must work under my direct
supervision and must be employed by me, which means that I must comply with
laws requiring the withholding of federal income tax and social security
contributions under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) and must
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provide workers’ compensation for the employee. I understand that my failure to
follow these laws may subject me to serious financial risk.
9. I agree that, as the party legally and financially responsible for this proposed
construction activity, I will abide by all applicable laws and requirements that
govern owner-builders as well as employers. I also understand that the
construction must comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, building codes,
and zoning regulations.
10. I understand that I may obtain more information regarding my obligations as an
employer from the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Small Business
Administration, the Florida Department of Financial Services, and the Florida
Department of Revenue. I also understand that I may contact the Florida
Construction Industry Licensing Board at 1-850-487-1395 or Department of Business
and Professional Regulation Website for more information about licensed
contractors.
11. I am aware of, and consent to, an owner-builder building permit applied for in
my name and understand that I am the party legally and financially responsible
for the proposed construction activity at the following address:
12. I agree to notify Highlands County Building Division immediately of any additions,
deletions, or changes to any of the information that I have provided on this
disclosure.
Licensed contractors are regulated by laws designed to protect the public. If you
contract with a person who does not have a license, the Construction Industry
Licensing Board and Department of Business and Professional Regulation may be
unable to assist you with any financial loss that you sustain because of a
complaint. Your only remedy against an unlicensed contractor may be in civil
court. It is also important for you to understand that, if an unlicensed contractor
or employee of an individual or firm is injured while working on your property, you
may be held liable for damages. If you obtain an owner-builder permit and wish
to hire a licensed contractor, you will be responsible for verifying whether the
contractor is properly licensed and the status of the contractor’s workers’
compensation coverage.
Before a building permit can be issued, this disclosure statement must be
completed and signed by the property owner and returned to the local
permitting agency responsible for issuing the permit. A copy of the property
owner’s driver licnse, the notarized signature of the property owner, or other type
of verification acceptable to the local permitting agency is required when the
permit is issued.
Signature:
Date:
State of Florida
County of Highlands
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this [ ] day of
[ ], 20[ ].
Notary Signature:
Notary Stamp:
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