Laws & Helpful Tips

Florida’s Construction Lien Law 

This document provides information regarding Florida Statute 713, Part 1, as it pertains to home construction and remodeling, and provides tips on how you can avoid construction liens on your property.

Contractor Complaints and Unlicensed Activities

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) regulates licensing for various professions including contractors.  Before hiring a contractor for any project, making sure that your contractor is licensed can protect you and your property. The State of Florida requires that the following construction trades be licensed through DBPR: Air-Conditioning, Building Contractor, Electrician, General Contractor, Home Inspection, Mold-Related Services, Plumbing, Pool/Spa, Residential Contractor, Roofing, Sheet Metal, Solar

Verify licenses, file a Complaint or report unlicensed activity at MyFloridaLicense.com – License efficiently. Regulate fairly.  Report unlicensed activities to 866-532-1440

More Information from DBPR

To become a licensed contractor through DBPR, you must complete the Florida contractor examination, meet financial stability and responsibility requirements, and provide proof of experience for the category in which you wish to become licensed.

By hiring a licensed contractor, you will have peace of mind knowing that the project will be done by someone who has taken the time to acquire the appropriate education and the proper workers’ compensation and/or liability insurance and who possesses the necessary experience.

Don’t be a Victim of Unlicensed Activity  

The dangers of hiring an unlicensed contractor may include:

  • Financial loss – Taking your deposit and not performing the work or performing substandard work.
  • Safety issues – Noncompliance with building codes could lead to home defects or not withstanding a storm.
  • Difficulty Selling – A lack of proper permitting or proof of work performed may result in difficulty or inability to sell your home.
  • Lack of Qualifications – A lack of education and/or qualifications can endanger the safety of you, your loved ones and your property.
  • You could be responsible – If they lack the necessary insurance, you may be responsible for injuries on your property or for shoddy work performed.
  • Criminal background – A possible criminal background could mean allowing potentially dangerous people in your home and near loved ones.

Warning Signs a Contractor May Not Be Licensed:

  • Unlicensed contractors often target the uninformed and inexperienced, as well as the elderly.
  • No license number in advertisement or posting.  By law, contractors licensed by DBPR must include their license number in all advertising.
  • They want all or most of the money up front and will only accept cash.  They may also want you to write the check to them individually or to “cash”.
  • They give a post office box address instead of a street address.
  • They show up in unmarked vehicles offering to do work and often have out-of-state tags.
  • They try to convince you that a permit is not necessary or that it’s cheaper if you obtain it yourself.