Received a DBPR Complaint? What Florida Contractors Must Do Immediately

If you received a DBPR complaint, your contractor license is already at risk.

What most contractors don’t realize is this:

The case is being built before you respond.

The investigative stage is where the Department gathers evidence, shapes the narrative, and determines whether your case will escalate.

Attorney Zeyna Kafrouni, a former senior prosecutor within the DBPR construction unit, where she handled contractor cases from inside the system.

Today she uses that experience to anticipate how case are built —and how to respond early.

WHAT A DBPR COMPLAINT REALLY MEANS

A DBPR complaint is not just a notice.

It is the start of a formal disciplinary process that can lead to:

• License suspension.

• Heavy fines.

• Probation or restrictions.

• Permanent license revocation.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IMMEDIATELY

Before you respond to the DBPR, you need to control the case early.

At this stage, you should:

1. Secure and organize all project documentation.
2. Avoid rushed or incomplete written responses
3. Identify exposure before submitting anything to the Department
4. Understand how investigators evaluate contractor cases.

Early mistakes are one of the biggest reasons cases escalate.

HOW THE DBPR PROCESS ACTUALLY WORKS

Most contractors don’t understand how quickly the case progress:

Investigation → Probable Cause → Administrative Complaint. Each step increases risks —and reduced your ability to control the outcome.

Visit our Resource Center to expand on this process more.

COMMON MISTAKES THAT DAMAGE YOUR CASE

• Responding too quickly without strategy

• Submitting incomplete or inconsistent documentation

• Ignoring the complaint initially

• Assuming the case will “go away”

These mistakes often turn manageable cases into formal charges.

Attorney Zeyna Kafrouni previously prosecuted thousands of contractors cases inside the DBPR.

She understands:

• How investigators build cases

• What triggers escalation

• Where cases can be challenged early

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is a DBPR complaint automatically public?
A: Often the investigative stage is treated as confidential under Florida law until certain procedural steps occur, but this can vary. Treat the matter seriously regardless of confidentiality. 

Q: Do I have to talk to an investigator?
A: Cooperation is often requested, but any statements you provide can become part of the record. Consider a careful, document-based approach.

Q: Can I settle the dispute with the complainant and make DBPR go away?
A: Private settlement may help in some cases, but DBPR can still evaluate whether a violation occurred. Documentation remains important.

Additional Guidance for Florida Contractors

Link to: How Does a DBPR Investigation Work for Contractors?
Link to: What Is a Probable Cause Determination in a DBPR Case?
Link to: What Happens After a DBPR Administrative Complaint Is Filed?
Link to: Can I Continue Working While a DBPR Complaint Is Pending?