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.
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.
Tip 2: Confirm Insurance Coverage: A legitimate contractor carries both general liability insurance (minimum $300,000) and workers' compensation insurance. Ask for a certificate of insurance and call the insurance company to verify it's current.
Tip 3: Check Online Reviews and Reputation: Look beyond the star rating—read the actual reviews. Check Google Reviews, BBB, Yelp, and Angi. Look for patterns: consistent praise for communication, quality, and timeliness is a great sign.
Tip 4: Get Everything in Writing: A professional contractor provides a detailed written contract that includes complete scope of work, total cost with payment schedule, start date and estimated completion date, materials to be used, and warranty information.
Tip 5: Understand the Payment Structure: Be wary of contractors who demand large upfront payments. A standard payment schedule is: 10-20% deposit, 30% at material delivery, 30% at midpoint, 20-30% at completion.
Tip 6: Ask for References: A confident contractor will happily provide references from recent projects. Call at least three references and ask about quality of work, communication, and timeline adherence.
Tip 7: Beware of Red Flags: Avoid contractors who knock on your door unsolicited, pressure you to sign immediately, offer unusually low bids, can't provide a physical business address, or ask for cash-only payments.
The Home Doctor is a fully licensed and insured contractor serving Broward County and Miami-Dade County. We're BBB A+ accredited and maintain a 5.0 Google rating. Call (954) 412-9103 for a free estimate.