Ocala contractors board records finding against PIM Construction Services for advertising as licensed; awards prosecution costs

The City of Ocala Contractors Board of Examiners and Appeals accepted staff evidence in case CON25-0015 against PIM Construction Services LLC and approved an amended award of prosecution costs, board documents show.

City code enforcement manager Dale Hollingsworth told the board that investigators found social‑media advertisements and other documents in which PIM Construction Services LLC represented itself as “licensed and insured,” but state Department of Business and Professional Regulation records showed no contractor license for the company. Hollingsworth said the case arose from a residential reroof where a homeowner obtained an owner‑builder permit and then hired the unlicensed contractor to perform work that, under the Florida Building Code, required a licensed contractor.

Hollingsworth told the board staff located a subcontract and screenshots from a Facebook page in the case file. He said inspectors confirmed some roof decking was replaced and that final inspections have not been approved. Hollingsworth said staff attempted direct service and certified mail, and published notice in a newspaper when the respondents could not be located.

No representative of PIM Construction Services attended the hearing. Hollingsworth also said he had exchanged text messages in which the contractor admitted not holding a state license.

Board member Eddie Ferrantino moved to accept an amended staff recommendation; Daryl O'Kane seconded. The board approved the record and the amended award of prosecution costs. The staff recommendation had originally listed $196.11 in prosecution costs; Hollingsworth asked on the record to amend that amount to $383.91 to cover additional newspaper posting costs and the board approved the amendment by voice vote.

Hollingsworth said that, if the board issues a finding of guilt tonight, staff will prepare the file to submit to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation for its review. The board also voted to include all evidence and testimony presented into the Contractors Board records.

Next steps listed in the record: staff will finalize the administrative file for potential referral to DBPR; the final inspection status remains open until a building department final inspection is performed.

The board adjourned the Contractors Board portion of the meeting after the action.