Guides / General Contractor
What are the red flags when hiring a contractor in Florida?
General guide · Florida · Updated 2026-11-12
The biggest red flags are no license number (or one that doesn't match), asking for a large deposit in cash, offering to skip the permit, pressure to sign today, and a vague contract. Florida law requires a contractor who takes more than 10% of the price as a deposit on a home job to apply for permits within 30 days and start within 90 days of the permit (unless you agree otherwise in writing), and residential contracts must include a notice about the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund.
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Red flags
- Can't or won't give a license number, or it belongs to someone else.
- Wants most of the money up front, especially in cash.
- Suggests skipping the permit, or asks you to pull an owner-builder permit for work they're doing.
- Door-to-door after a storm, with pressure to sign on the spot.
- Offers to waive your insurance deductible.
- No written contract, or one without a scope, materials, price and timeline.
- Only a cell number and no business address or local references.
- A price far below every other quote.
What to do instead
- Look up the license at myfloridalicense.com.
- Get two or three written quotes with the same scope.
- Pay in stages tied to completed, inspected work.
- Ask for lien releases from the contractor and suppliers as you pay.
- Keep copies of the contract, permit, invoices and photos.
How to check the license
Ask for the Florida license number and look it up yourself at myfloridalicense.com (the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation). Check that the name matches who you're hiring, the license type fits the job, and the status is current and active. Certified licenses are good statewide; registered ones only where the contractor holds a local license.
The license record doesn't show insurance, so also ask for certificates of general liability and workers' compensation insurance.
Red flags
- No license number for licensed work, or one that doesn't match the business.
- A large deposit, especially in cash, before any work or permit.
- Offering to skip the permit on work that needs one.
- Pressure to sign today, or door-to-door offers after a storm.
- A vague price with nothing in writing.
Common questions
- What is an owner-builder permit?
- A permit that lets property owners do their own work and act as their own contractor. If a contractor asks you to pull one for work they're doing, that's a red flag: you take on the responsibility and they avoid the licensing rules.
- What can I do if a contractor took my deposit and disappeared?
- Report it to local law enforcement and file a complaint with DBPR. The Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund may help homeowners harmed by licensed contractors in some cases.
- Do I need a written contract?
- Yes, for anything beyond a small repair. It should list scope, materials, price, payment schedule, start and finish estimates, permit responsibility and warranty.
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General information, not legal, insurance or financial advice; rules and prices change, so confirm with the pro, your county and your insurer. aBlueC does not vet providers: check their license and insurance before hiring. Not for emergencies: call 911.