Florida ranked #1 for contractor fraud complaints in a recent AARP study. Storm chasers, unlicensed handymen, and outright scammers cost Florida homeowners hundreds of millions of dollars annually. The good news: Florida also has one of the nation's most comprehensive contractor licensing databases. Verifying any contractor takes under 60 seconds — there's no excuse for not doing it.
How to Verify Any Florida Contractor in 60 Seconds
Go to myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp. Enter the contractor's name, company name, or license number. You'll see:
- License type and number
- License status (Current, Delinquent, Suspended, Revoked)
- Expiration date
- Any disciplinary actions
Always verify personally — don't accept a photocopy of a license card. Fraudulent contractors routinely display expired or stolen license numbers.
Florida Contractor License Types (and Who Needs What)
Florida has two contractor license tiers — Certified (statewide, issued by DBPR) and Registered (local-only, issued by county/municipality). Certified licenses start with these prefixes:
- CGC — Certified General Contractor (buildings of any type or size)
- CRC — Certified Residential Contractor (1 and 2 family dwellings only)
- CBC — Certified Building Contractor (commercial buildings)
- CCC — Certified Roofing Contractor (any roofing work requiring permits)
- CAC — Certified Air Conditioning Contractor (HVAC installation and repair)
- CFC — Certified Plumbing Contractor (plumbing work)
- EC / ECA — Electrical Contractor (EC unlimited, ECA residential/commercial up to certain amperage)
- CPC — Certified Pool/Spa Contractor
- CC — Certified Contractor (solar, insulation, painting — various specialties)
What Unlicensed Work Actually Means for You
Hiring an unlicensed contractor in Florida creates serious risks beyond just quality concerns:
- No permit pulled: Unlicensed contractors cannot pull permits. Unpermitted work is a material defect required to be disclosed at sale. Buyers' inspectors and lenders flag unpermitted additions, roofs, and electrical work — remediation can cost 150–200% of the original job.
- Voided homeowners insurance: Many policies require work to be performed by licensed contractors. Unlicensed work on your roof or electrical can void your coverage.
- No DBPR recourse: If a licensed contractor does poor work, you can file a complaint with the DBPR and potentially pursue the contractor's bond. Unlicensed contractors have no bond and no license to lose.
- Liability for worker injuries: If an unlicensed, uninsured contractor is injured on your property, you may be liable for their medical costs and lost wages.
The Right Questions to Ask Before Signing
- What is your license number? (Verify it yourself at myfloridalicense.com)
- Are you pulling a permit for this work? (Required for most structural, roofing, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work)
- Who is your insurance carrier for general liability and workers' comp? (Ask for a certificate of insurance naming you as certificate holder)
- Will subcontractors be on site, and are they also licensed and insured?
- What is your draw schedule? (Never pay more than 10% down or $1,000 — whichever is less — for any project under Florida law)
Florida's 10% / $1,000 Deposit Rule
Florida Statute 489.126 prohibits contractors from taking more than 10% of the contract price OR $1,000 (whichever is less) as a deposit before starting work. Any contractor demanding 30–50% upfront before a single nail is driven is violating state law and is a red flag for fraud. Mid-project draws tied to specific completion milestones are normal — but front-loaded payments are not.
Last updated May 2026. License verification at myfloridalicense.com. Deposit rules per Florida Statute 489.126. Report contractor fraud to the DBPR at 850-487-1395 or myfloridalicense.com/complaint.