After a major storm, out-of-state crews arrive within days. Some are excellent. Some take deposits and disappear, and some do work that fails inspection and cannot be permitted — which can leave you unable to sell or insure the house.
Check the licence before you talk money
- Ask for the licence number. A legitimate contractor gives it without hesitation.
- Look it up yourself at the DBPR licence lookup. Confirm it is active, the right type for the work, and in the right name.
- Check the licence type matches the job. Roofing work needs a roofing contractor (CCC or RC). Plumbing needs a plumbing contractor (CFC or RF). A general contractor cannot lawfully do everything.
- Confirm insurance — general liability and workers' compensation. Ask for certificates, and consider confirming with the insurer.
Red flags
- Demands a large cash deposit up front, or wants payment in cash only
- No physical address, no licence number, or a licence that belongs to someone else
- Pressures you to sign the same day, or "we're only in the area today"
- Offers to "handle your insurance claim for you" or asks you to sign an assignment of benefits
- Cannot or will not pull a permit
- Asks you to say the work is not storm-related so it can be done "cheaper"
Protect yourself
- Get it in writing — scope, materials, timeline, price, payment schedule.
- Never pay in full up front. Payments should track progress.
- Confirm the permit is pulled and inspected. Unpermitted work is your problem later, not theirs.
- Keep your claim in your own name. Be cautious with assignment of benefits contracts.
Our roofing and plumbing listings are compiled from DBPR licence records, and each record links to the state lookup so you can confirm the licence yourself.
General information. Confirm licence requirements with DBPR and your county building department. Unlicensed contracting is a crime in Florida and can be reported to DBPR.