LARA Suspends Residential Builder License of Cement City Man

Samuel Robert Hoskins failed to comply with Licensing Board Final Order

Media Contact: LARA Communications 517-335-LARA (5272)
Email: mediainfo@michigan.gov

March 21, 2019 - LARA’s Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC) has suspended the individual residential builder license of Samuel Robert Hoskins, resident agent of Hoskins Construction LLC, in Cement City, for failure to comply with a Final Order issued by the Michigan Board of Residential Builders and Maintenance and Alteration Contractors. The board issued the order based upon the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in the Hearing Report from an administrative law judge. The report found the following facts:

• Mr. Hoskins entered into a contract with a homeowner to build a new house, garage, and deck and obtained a building permit.
• Knowing he did not have licensure in plumbing or electrical, the respondent requested the homeowner to apply for electrical and plumbing permits, which were issued.
• Respondent personally conducted the electrical and plumbing work on the project, for which he was unlicensed.
• Initial electrical and plumbing inspections were not approved due to work not in compliance with the Michigan Residential Code.
• The homeowner paid an outside contractor to correct respondent’s electrical building code violations in order to pass inspection.
• A final building inspection discovered 10 building code violations of the Michigan Residential Code.

From those facts the administrative law judge determined the respondent violated the Michigan Occupational Code (Code) by:

1. Practicing fraud, deceit, or dishonesty in practicing an occupation;
2. Demonstrating a lack of good moral character because he failed to serve the public in a fair, honest, and open manner;
3. Willfully violating the building laws of the State of Michigan;
4. Failing to adhere to the standards of construction codes; and
5. Aiding or abetting an unlicensed person (homeowner) to evade Article 24 of the Code which stipulates licensure for work that is contracted for.

BCC issued a Notice of License Suspension to Hoskins notifying him of his failure to comply with the Final Order and that any residential building activity requiring a license conducted on or after the date of suspension is unlicensed activity in violation of the Code.  

“Be cautious if a contractor asks you to obtain construction permits claiming it will save costs on your project,” said Bureau of Construction Codes Director Keith Lambert. “Such a request is often a sign that the contractor is not properly licensed or is unwelcome at the building department. Verify their current license status and check for any consumer complaints or disciplinary action by looking it up on the LARA website or calling us at 517-241-9316.”

Residential builders and maintenance and alteration contractors, electricians, plumbers and mechanical contractors are licensed by LARA’s Bureau of Construction Codes and must have a license that corresponds with the work to be done. Before entering into a building or renovation project, Michigan consumers are encouraged to verify license information by going to: https://www.lara.michigan.gov/colaLicVerify/. Or contact BCC at 517-241-9316 or email at: Lara-bcc-licensing@michigan.gov and the bureau can run a license check for you. Consumers are reminded that there is no replacement for their own due diligence.