29-05-2025
Homeowners beware: Efforts to save money could cost you big time
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The City is warning that an effort to save money could end up costing homeowners big time.
A hefty fine was recently levied against a business owner for illegal construction activity on Oʻahu.
Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting reduces permitting backlog
The City and County of Honolulu said it is seeing an uptick in illegal construction activity that included a recent case where someone forged a professional engineer's stamp on building plans. They were fined $10,000 and ordered to stop work.
'And it can be anywhere within that project. It could be even during it where things start to go wrong and you start to notice it as a homeowner,' said Building Industry Association of Hawaiʻi CEO Roseann Building Industry Association of Hawaiʻi said contracting a company without a permit may seem appealing, but it almost always costs more in the long run.
'And unfortunately, you hear of those who get the money and then leave the site. But even further down the road, the project's done. It's not permitted appropriately. So, now if you go to sell a home, if you haven't permitted the work, you're going to have problems,' Freitas said.
Experts said homeowners often think they are getting a good deal by going through an unlicensed contractor, but once the job is done or even when construction starts and gets underway, problems start building up.
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'If there is an issue, you can go to RICO, the regulatory agency, for some remedies and see if they can help you,' said Freitas.
The Regulated Industries Complaints Office can only help with remedies regarding licensed contractors. Tips for spotting unlicensed companies include not letting anyone pressure you into quick repairs or fast fixes.
'How straightforward are they with you? Or do they say, 'Oh, you really don't need a license.' Because here in the state, you really do need a license to do that type of work, and especially projects over $1,500,' Freitas said.
The Department of Planning and Permitting said the recent violation was discovered during a review of building plans, and the business owner who aided and abetted the unlicensed contractor will have to foot the bill for a $10,000 fine.
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'That doesn't mean the state can't go after them. But for you as a homeowner, there's not a lot of recourse,' Freitas said.
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