What to Compare
Florida homeowners can pull their own permits for their primary residence in most categories — but licensed contractors are required for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and structural work, and unlicensed work creates serious insurance and resale problems.
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Licensed Florida Contractor
Features and considerations
- Work is done right — licensed, insured, permit-pulled
- Insurance and mortgage company protection
Limits and questions
- Schedule dependent on contractor availability
DIY / Homeowner Permit
Features and considerations
- Learn your home — valuable skills and knowledge
- Flexible schedule — work at your own pace
- Satisfying for capable homeowners
Limits and questions
- Florida still requires permits and inspections for most structural/mechanical work
- Unlicensed work not covered by homeowner's insurance if it causes damage
- Can create problems at resale — buyers and inspectors ask about permits
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Licensed Florida Contractor | DIY / Homeowner Permit | |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Work | Required in Florida for service work and new circuits | Outlets/switches (limited) under homeowner exemption |
| Plumbing | Required for new lines, main, sewer | Minor repairs under homeowner exemption |
| HVAC | Required — state license mandatory | Filter changes, simple repairs only |
| Structural | Engineer-stamped plans + licensed contractor | Non-structural interior work may qualify |
| Roofing | Ask the Licensed Florida Contractor provider to document roofing for the exact offer. | Homeowner exemption available but risky |
| Painting/Cosmetic | No license required — DIY freely | No license required |
| Permit Required | Ask the Licensed Florida Contractor provider to document current quote and terms for the exact offer. | Ask the DIY / Homeowner Permit provider to document current quote and terms for the exact offer. |
| Insurance Coverage | Verify the current requirements and applicable documents for your address and Licensed Florida Contractor proposal. | Verify the current requirements and applicable documents for your address and DIY / Homeowner Permit proposal. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Florida homeowner exemption for permits?
You can pull permits and hire unlicensed labor for non-licensed trades.
What happens if I have unpermitted work in my Florida home?
At resale, unpermitted work can delay or kill a sale, require retroactive permits or demolition/redo of the work, and create liability if discovered by a home inspector or buyer. Florida homeowner's insurance may deny claims related to unpermitted construction. Retroactive permitting is possible but expensive.
Consumer resources
Use these official resources when evaluating an offer. They provide general guidance and do not establish a winner between these options.
- FTC: checking home-repair offers and written agreements — General consumer guidance; not evidence of either brand's price or performance.
- Florida DBPR: license search — Search for a profession regulated by DBPR; this link does not establish that a particular provider is licensed or that every service needs this license.