Barry Ansbacher was recently interviewed by Ben Becker in a WJAX-TV article. Here, Ansbacher discussed the Homeowner’s Construction Recovery Fund, which is designed to award money to homeowners who have been made victims of contractors who mismanage a project, abandon a project, or make false statements. However, this fund is unfortunately seen to be leaving homeowners feeling victimized all over again.
More specifically, in 2016, the state of Florida reduced the maximum recovery fund payout for victims from $50,000 to $25,000 or $15,000, depending on the type of contractor. Ansbacher states that getting a judgment in these types of cases is not worth the paper it is written on, and goes on to say, “It really provides no value to consumers in my experience.” Further, he explains that homeowners need to apply with the Construction Industry Licensing Board and hope there is money left in the fund. Of note, the fund had about $24 million in it as of March, but the state only allows $4.5 million to be given to victims per fiscal year.
Ansbacher’s final piece of advice to homeowners is to ask the contractor if they can provide a performance bond. This is so an insurance company may guarantee to financially back the contract if the contractor walks off the job, if the contractor’s work is shoddy, or otherwise.
To read the full article, simply click here.
