Satellite Dishes and Electrical Contractor License

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Master Tech Satellite v. Master North America, 35 Fla. L. Weekly D2381a, Case No. 3D08-2509, filed October 27, 2010: Affirmed Summary Judgment that contract for installation of satellite dishes was unenforceable pursuant to s. 489.532 (the companion to s. 489.128 for electrical and alarm contractors) because the installer was not licensed. The court noted that the installation required wiring to an electrical source of approximately 18 volts as well as grounding, causing it to “utilize electrical energy in any form” as used in the definition of “electrical contractor” in s. 489.516(2), Fla. Stat. (2004).  A strong dissent by J. Salter criticized the majority for allowing “the contractor-who-should-know-better” to keep customer payments while “stiffing the subcontractor.”



Trenton H. Cotney
Board Certified in Construction Law
Trent Cotney, P.A.
1207 N Franklin St, Ste 222
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 579-3278

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