The high cost to hire unlicensed people

If you’re dealing with this situation as a licensed contractor, it’s important to approach it professionally — not as a “lesson,” but as a risk-management and liability issue.

Here’s the reality:

1. What Happened (Technically & Legally)

• An unlicensed installer installed a sewage ejector pump.

• The pump failed.

• The installer is unavailable and did not provide:
  

• Proof of purchase

• Distributor information

• Installation documentation

• The manufacturer requires warranty claims to go through the original distributor.

In most cases, manufacturers (for example, companies like Zoeller Pump Company or Liberty Pumps) require:

• Proof of purchase

• Model and serial number

• Verification of proper installation

• Claim submitted by the authorized distributor

If the installer was unlicensed and possibly not an authorized reseller, the warranty may already be void.

Important: Don’t Make It About “Teaching a Lesson”

Even if the homeowner made a poor decision, approaching it emotionally can:

• Damage your reputation

• Lose referrals

• Create liability exposure

• Turn into negative online reviews

Position yourself as the solution, not the judge.

How You Should Handle This (Professional Strategy)

Step 1: Diagnose & Document

Perform:

• Full pump failure diagnosis

• Electrical verification

• Basin inspection

• Check valve confirmation

• Discharge line inspection

Document everything with photos.

Step 2: Explain the Warranty Reality

Explain clearly:

“Because the original installer was unlicensed and we do not have proof of purchase or distributor information, the manufacturer requires the original distributor to process the claim. Without that documentation, the warranty may not be honored.”

Keep it factual. No sarcasm.

Step 3: Offer a Paid Solution

Offer options:

1. Replace pump only (if system is correct)

2. Replace pump + check valve + alarm

3. Full compliant system rebuild (if installation was improper)

Provide written estimate.

Business Advantage for You

This is actually an opportunity to:

• Emphasize licensed work

• Show code compliance knowledge

• Offer warranty-backed installation

• Build trust through transparency

You can say:

“When we install a sewage ejector system, we register the product, provide documentation, and ensure the warranty is protected.”

That’s value positioning — not punishment.

Why This Happens Often

Unlicensed installers usually:

• Buy from big-box stores

• Don’t register products

• Don’t follow venting or discharge code

• Don’t provide invoices with model/serial numbers

When failure happens, the homeowner has:

• No installer

• No paperwork

• No distributor contact

• No valid warranty path

If You Want to Protect Yourself

Always:

• Include in your proposal: “Warranty valid only when installed by licensed contractor per manufacturer guidelines.”

• Keep distributor invoices

• Register pumps online when possible

• Provide homeowner a close-out packet

Bottom Line

You don’t need to “teach” the homeowner anything.

The situation already did.

Your role now is:

• Diagnose

• Document

• Present options

• Solve professionally

That approach builds long-term authority — especially in Central Florida where unlicensed work is common.

Why People Should Value Licensed Contractors Prices like they Value Doctors Fees

Why People Should Value Licensed Contractors Like They Value Doctors

Many people don’t think twice about paying a doctor’s fee — because they understand the importance of experience, training, and trust.

But when it comes to hiring a licensed contractor, suddenly everyone wants the cheapest price.

Here’s the truth:

A Contractor Protects Your Home the Same Way a Doctor Protects Your Health

• A doctor works on your body.

• A contractor works on your home, your investment, and often your family’s safety.

Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, remodeling — these systems can cause:

• Mold

• Fires

• Flooding

• Structural damage

• Health hazards

• Thousands of dollars in repairs

Just like a doctor, a licensed contractor:

✔ Spends years learning the trade

✔ Is required to hold certifications and licenses

✔ Follows strict codes for your safety

✔ Has insurance to protect you

✔ Takes responsibility for the work

✔ Prevents problems before they become emergencies

Cheap Contractors Are Like Unqualified Doctors

You wouldn’t let someone “who watched YouTube videos” perform surgery on you…

So why trust someone unlicensed to open your walls, gas lines, or sewer pipes?

Trying to save a few dollars today can cost:

• 10x more in damage tomorrow

• Insurance claim denials

• Code violations

• Failed inspections

• Safety risks for your family

Quality Has a Price — But Also a Guarantee

A licensed, experienced contractor doesn’t charge for “just labor.”

You’re paying for:

• Safety

• Expertise

• Accountability

• Professional workmanship

• The peace of mind that the job is done right

If You Value Your Health, Value Your Home Too

People trust doctors because they protect what matters most.

Licensed contractors do the same — they protect the place your family lives, sleeps, and breathes.

Cheap work is expensive.

Quality work is an investment.