How to check a contractor's license in Florida before you hire
Just because someone says they're licensed doesn't mean you should take their word for it. Eric shows how to verify a Florida contractor's license in under 30 seconds, and what to check.
Read what Eric says Transcript
Just because someone says they're a licensed contractor does not mean you should take their word for it.
First, we're going to go to MyFloridaLicense.com. We're going to click Verify a License. You can then search the contractor by their name or their license number.
Make sure the name matches the company that you're hiring. Check the type of license they hold and also make sure that the license is current and active.
Don't just look at a license number that's printed. You should probably verify it yourself. All of this takes less than 30 seconds and could save you a lot of time and money.
Why it matters
Kitchens and bathrooms involve plumbing, electrical and sometimes structural work. In Florida, general contractors, plumbers and electricians all need a state license. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) says the complaints it gets about unlicensed work include work not up to building code, jobs paid for and never finished, and contractors walking off the project.
How to look one up
- Go to MyFloridaLicense.com and click Verify a License.
- Search for the contractor by their name or their license number.
- Make sure the name on the license matches the company you're hiring.
- Check the type of license they hold. Kitchens and bathrooms with plumbing, electrical or structural work call for a general contractor or the right trade license.
- Make sure the license is current and active. Anything else is a reason to stop and ask.
Don't just trust a license number printed on a truck or a flyer. Look it up yourself. It takes less than 30 seconds and could save you a lot of time and money.
Warning signs the state lists
DBPR's own brochure for homeowners lists these signs that a contractor may not be licensed:
- No license number in their ads or posts. Licensed contractors must include it by law.
- They want all or most of the money up front, or cash only, or a check made out to them personally or to "cash".
- They give a post office box instead of a street address.
- They show up unannounced in an unmarked vehicle offering to do work.
- They tell you a permit isn't needed, or that it's cheaper if you pull it yourself.
Compare bids the same way
DBPR also recommends getting written estimates from several licensed contractors, each showing the work, the materials, the completion date and the total cost. A bid that leaves out the permit can look cheaper than it is. For what a typical project costs here, see what a bathroom remodel costs in Tampa and what a kitchen remodel costs in Tampa.
Where to report unlicensed work
DBPR runs an unlicensed activity hotline at 1-866-532-1440 and takes reports by email at ULA@MyFloridaLicense.com. Its customer contact center is 850-487-1395.
Ceballos Contracting is licensed by the State of Florida as a Certified General Contractor, license CGC1541486. You're welcome to look us up before you call.
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Questions people also ask
Where do I check a contractor's license in Florida?
On MyFloridaLicense.com, the free license search run by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Search by license number, name or business name.
Is an LLC the same as a licensed contractor?
No. DBPR says registering as an Inc. or LLC, or holding an occupational license, does not qualify a person or company to act as a contractor.
Do cabinet installers or painters need a state license?
DBPR lists cabinet installation, painting, drywall and flooring among trades that don't need a state license. Plumbing, electrical and general contracting do, and most kitchen and bathroom remodels include those.
What is Ceballos Contracting's license number?
CGC1541486, a Florida Certified General Contractor license.