Persons performing unlicensed commodities or services have NO legal recourse to optain payment for such unlicensed services.
When is a contractor license required
Generally, anyone who offers, holds oneself out as able to, or contracts to perform residential, commercial, or public works construction, alterations, or improvements must hold a contractor license.
Is there an exemption from the license requirement for "handyman" work
A license is not required if the aggregate contract price for the project, including labor, materials, taxes, and all other items, is not more than $1,000.00 and does not require a building permit. This exemption does not apply to electrical or plumbing work requiring a permit. Furthermore, even if an electrical or plumbing permit is not required by the county on a particular project, the work may still have to be performed by a licensed electrician or plumber.
Excerpt taken from CONTRACTOR: Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/pvl/main/faqs/Contractor_FAQ.pdf
Why dont you have to pay for unlicensed services; ie, when the aggregate price exceeds $1,000
State of Hawaii, Dept of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, HRS 487-13: http://hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/rico/main/hrs/hrs_rico_487-13.pdf
HAWAII REVISED STATUTES 487-13
87-13 Penalties for unlicensed acts.
(a) Any person who furnishes commodities or services for which a license, registration, or certificate is required from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) or any board or commission there under without having such license, registration, or certificate is engaged in an unlawful actor practice and shall be subject to the penalty provided in subsection (b).
(b) Any person who engages in an unlawful act or practice as provided in subsection (a) shall be fined by a sum not less than $500 nor more than $2,500 for each unlawful actor practice, which sum shall be collected in a civil suit brought by the office of consumer protection or the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA).
(c) Any contract for the furnishing of commodities or services by an unlicensed, unregistered, or uncertified person shall be void and shall prevent such person from recovering the contract price or the reasonable value thereof.
State of Hawaii, Dept of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, HRS 487-13: http://hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/rico/main/hrs/hrs_rico_487-13.pdf
If you hire an unlicensed person to perform services that require a Contractors License you do not have any obligation to pay them. Its the law. HRS 487-13(c)
Hiring an unlicensed contractor carries additional risks. For more information about why it is important to hire a licensed contractor and when it is required, please visit the State of Hawaii, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs website: http://hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/pvl/boards/contractor/
Or call the DCCA at (808)587-3222.
Location: All Islands
its NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
License info: Unlicensed
