


	Useful Information for the Consumer: Using a qualified and properly licensed Contractor is not just a good idea, it's the law. The information below is being provided to assist you in your decision to hire a contractor. Selecting Your Contractor Florida law requires that every contractor be properly licensed in this state before contracting to build or remodel a home. All contractors are also required to carry the appropriate liability insurance, worker’s compensation and/or a worker’s compensation exemption. A contractor, who is "certified", is licensed by the state and may operate in any city or county in this state; a contractor who is "registered" is licensed by a particular city or county and may operate only in the city or county of registration. However, ALL licensed contractors are regulated by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation ("DBPR"). While using a properly licensed contractor is no guarantee of a successful project, it provides the owner with additional remedies in the event problems arise. In order to check on a contractor's current "active" status BEFORE YOU SIGN a contract, obtain the contractor's individual license number, which every licensed contractor is required to have, as well as any company's "qualified business" ("QB") number, and check it on DBPR's Web site at: http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/index.html click on "Search for a License" under the "Public Services" section. Licensed contractors are only authorized to construct the types of improvements included within the "scope" of their license. For example, if your home will be more than two habitable floors, make sure the contractor has a "general" or "building" contractor license, a “residential” license will not be sufficient. Accordingly, you can also contact DBPR to ensure that the contractor you are selecting has the proper type of license for the type of work being contracted on your home. License verification can be obtained by calling the Customer Contact Center at (850) 487-1395. You can be your best defense against losses by not dealing with uncertified contractors. Warning signs which may indicate the person/company is not certified: Newspaper/flyer ads which do not include the individual's or company's contractor certification number. A larger than normal down payment requested before work begins. Statements such as "It will be cheaper if you obtain your own permit." Verbal contract only. The Contractor prefers to work on weekends or after hours. A building permit is obtained by someone other than the person/company you contracted with.

Useful Information for the Consumer:

Using a qualified and properly licensed Contractor is not just a good idea, it's the law.

The information below is being provided to assist you in your decision to hire a contractor.
Selecting Your Contractor

Florida law requires that every contractor be properly licensed in this state before contracting to build or remodel a home. All contractors are also required to carry the appropriate liability insurance, worker’s compensation and/or a worker’s compensation exemption. A contractor, who is "certified", is licensed by the state and may operate in any city or county in this state; a contractor who is "registered" is licensed by a particular city or county and may operate only in the city or county of registration. However, ALL licensed contractors are regulated by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation ("DBPR"). While using a properly licensed contractor is no guarantee of a successful project, it provides the owner with additional remedies in the event problems arise. In order to check on a contractor's current "active" status BEFORE YOU SIGN a contract, obtain the contractor's individual license number, which every licensed contractor is required to have, as well as any company's "qualified business" ("QB") number, and check it on DBPR's Web site at: http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/index.html click on "Search for a License" under the "Public Services" section.

Licensed contractors are only authorized to construct the types of improvements included within the "scope" of their license. For example, if your home will be more than two habitable floors, make sure the contractor has a "general" or "building" contractor license, a “residential” license will not be sufficient.

Accordingly, you can also contact DBPR to ensure that the contractor you are selecting has the proper type of license for the type of work being contracted on your home. License verification can be obtained by calling the Customer Contact Center at (850) 487-1395. You can be your best defense against losses by not dealing with uncertified contractors.

Warning signs which may indicate the person/company is not certified:

Newspaper/flyer ads which do not include the individual's or company's contractor certification number.
A larger than normal down payment requested before work begins.
Statements such as "It will be cheaper if you obtain your own permit."
Verbal contract only.
The Contractor prefers to work on weekends or after hours.
A building permit is obtained by someone other than the person/company you contracted with.