Hiring the wrong contractor is one of the most expensive mistakes a homeowner can make. In Broward County alone, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation receives thousands of complaints about unlicensed contractors every year. This guide will help you protect your investment and find a contractor you can trust.
Tip 1: Verify Their License: Florida law requires contractors to hold a valid state license for any project exceeding $500. You can verify any contractor's license at myfloridalicense.com. Look for a current, active license with no disciplinary actions. In Broward County, contractors also need a local business tax receipt. Never hire someone who says they don't need a license—they're either lying or planning to do substandard work.
Tip 2: Confirm Insurance Coverage: A legitimate contractor carries both general liability insurance (minimum $300,000, preferably $1 million+) and workers' compensation insurance. Ask for a certificate of insurance and call the insurance company to verify it's current. If an uninsured worker is injured on your property, you could be held liable for their medical bills and lost wages.
Tip 3: Check Online Reviews and Reputation: Look beyond the star rating—read the actual reviews. Check Google Reviews (most reliable), BBB (check for complaints and resolution), Yelp, and Angi. Look for patterns: consistent praise for communication, quality, and timeliness is a great sign. Multiple complaints about the same issues (delays, poor communication, hidden costs) are red flags. The Home Doctor maintains a 5.0 Google rating with 54+ five-star reviews.
Tip 4: Get Everything in Writing: A professional contractor provides a detailed written contract that includes: complete scope of work with specifications, total cost with payment schedule, start date and estimated completion date, materials to be used (brands, models, colors), warranty information, permit responsibilities, and change order procedures. Never sign a vague contract or pay for work based on a verbal agreement.
Tip 5: Understand the Payment Structure: Be wary of contractors who demand large upfront payments. A standard payment schedule for a remodeling project is: 10-20% deposit to secure the project, 30% at material delivery, 30% at project midpoint, 20-30% at completion and final walkthrough. Never pay the full amount before work is complete. Florida law limits contractor deposits to 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less, for projects over $10,000.
Tip 6: Ask for References and Visit Past Projects: A confident contractor will happily provide references from recent projects. Call at least three references and ask about quality of work, communication, timeline adherence, and whether they'd hire the contractor again. If possible, visit a completed project in person to see the quality firsthand.
Tip 7: Beware of Red Flags: Avoid contractors who knock on your door unsolicited, pressure you to sign immediately, offer unusually low bids (they'll cut corners or hit you with change orders), can't provide a physical business address, ask for cash-only payments, or don't pull permits. These are classic signs of unlicensed or unscrupulous operators.
Tip 8: Ensure They Pull Permits: Building permits aren't just bureaucratic red tape—they protect you. Permitted work is inspected by the county to ensure it meets building codes, which is especially important in South Florida where hurricane-resistance standards are strict. Unpermitted work can void your homeowner's insurance, create problems when selling your home, and result in fines from the county.
The Home Doctor is a fully licensed and insured contractor serving Broward County and Miami-Dade County. We're BBB A+ accredited, maintain a 5.0 Google rating, and provide detailed written contracts for every project. Call (954) 412-9103 for a free estimate, or visit our BBB profile to see our track record.