Contractor Vetting Guide — Storm Repair Edition

After a storm, unlicensed contractors flood South Florida. They take deposits, do shoddy work, or disappear entirely. Your insurance claim may be denied if work is performed without proper permits. Verify everything before you sign.

1. License & Insurance Verification

Florida State Contractor License — Verified Online Look up any contractor at myfloridalicense.com/DBPR. General contractors need a CGC or CBC license. Roofing contractors need a CCC. An expired or suspended license is a dealbreaker.

Certificate of General Liability Insurance Request a certificate naming you as certificate holder. Call the insurer to verify it's active. Minimum $1M per occurrence for any structural work.

Workers' Compensation Coverage If a worker is injured on your property without workers' comp, you may be liable. Verify via the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation at myfloridacfo.com/wc.

Local Business Address (Not Just a P.O. Box) Fly-by-night contractors often have no verifiable physical location. Google the address. Check how long they've been operating in South Florida specifically.

2. Contract & Scope of Work

Detailed Written Scope of Work Every line item should be spelled out: materials, brand/grade, square footage, labor. Vague contracts ("repair roof as needed") protect the contractor, not you.

Payment Schedule Tied to Milestones Never pay more than 10–15% upfront (Florida law limits deposits for jobs over $2,500). Tie remaining payments to completion milestones — not dates.

Start Date and Completion Date in Writing Get a realistic timeline. Vague "subject to material availability" language can leave your home exposed for months.

Warranty on Labor and Materials Minimum 1 year on labor; manufacturer warranty pass-through on materials. Get it in writing — verbal warranties are unenforceable.

3. Permits & Inspections

Contractor Pulls All Required Permits In Florida, the licensed contractor must pull permits — not the homeowner. If they ask you to pull your own permit, walk away. Unpermitted repairs can invalidate your insurance coverage and create problems at resale.

Final Inspection by County/City Inspector Do not make final payment until the permit is closed with a passing inspection. Verify at your county's permit portal.

4. References & AOB Warning

Three Recent References — Same Type of Work Call them. Ask: Did they finish on time? Was the price what was quoted? Any issues getting the final inspection closed?

Do NOT Sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) An AOB transfers your insurance claim rights to the contractor. They can then negotiate directly with your insurer — and sue them if disputed. Florida has restricted AOBs, but some contractors still push them. Refuse any AOB agreement.

Immediate Red Flags — Walk Away

Door-to-door solicitation immediately after a storm
"I'll waive your deductible" — this is insurance fraud in Florida
Demands large cash deposit before starting
Pressure to sign today or "the deal expires"
Claims to be an "insurance specialist" or "works directly with adjusters"
Asks you to sign an AOB or "direction to pay" form
Cannot provide license number on the spot
No workers' comp — "my guys are subcontractors"

Need a vetted contractor? Robinhood Adjusting maintains a directory of licensed, insured South Florida contractors. We work with them — not for them — so you get an honest referral. Visit robinhoodadjusting.com/providers or call (561) XXX-XXXX.