Hiring a company or individual who lacks the proper licensing in Florida happens all too often. Anyone can advertise their services on social media. Some talented professionals skip the certification process and go straight to offering construction services such as remodeling, painting, tiling and more. It may work out well until there is an injury and you, as the homeowner, are held liable. If the job is incomplete or defective in any way, you have little recourse when it comes to getting what you paid for.
Make a List of Potential Companies for Your Custom Home Build or Remodel
Most people ask for recommendations from someone they know who has recently built a new home or had their house remodeled. Check with local real estate agents and ask who they regularly recommend to homeowners. Contact your local home builders’ association for a list of company names. Performing a quick online search will yield hundreds or even thousands of results but how do you narrow it down?
Research Each General Contractor Before Hiring
Do your homework. This step is very important. Research the contractors you have on your list even if someone you know speaks highly of a company. Ask plenty of questions up front and look at their project portfolio. Verify that they are licensed and insured in both your state and county. Request references of homeowners that they have recently completed projects for. If a client is unhappy with the work the contractor did, odds are they will openly share their negative experience. Keep a notebook to jot down everything discussed so you have information to look back at later on if need be.
How Do I Know If a Contractor Is Properly Licensed and Insured?
In the state of Florida, how construction professionals are regulated varies based on the type of contractor they are. Most specialties require proper licensing but as a homeowner, you probably aren’t familiar with what is required by the state.
Contractors must have a state certificate showing they are licensed in Florida. Their state license number must appear on their advertising and their work vehicles. By law, they are required to carry insurance: general liability, property damage and workers compensation. A contractor who is registered may only be licensed to work in the jurisdiction, county or city that they are registered in.
To check a state license, visit myfloridalicense.com and click on “verify a license” or you may call 850-487-1395.
Look for Quality & Value When Choosing a Residential Contractor
Don’t be tempted to choose a company based solely on an inexpensive bid. Choose the contractor who understands your needs and budget for your project. Hire the company that takes great pride in both the quality of the materials used and their craftsmanship. Even if you feel unsure or intimidated, ask the construction team about every aspect of the job, permitting, subcontracting and anything else that you may not understand. Your questions might seem insignificant at the time but may end up being crucial information during the remodel or renovation.
Find a Contractor With Experience Working in Condominiums
If you are looking for a remodeling contractor and own a condo, townhouse or apartment it’s important that the contractor you hire have experience working on these types of projects. Renovating or remodeling within a building, especially a hire rise, requires an experienced team. You’ll want to ask if the company is familiar with working with HOAs and adhering to their requirements such as only using certain elevators, working only during specific hours and completing the project within the allowed timeline.
South Florida Home Builder & Remodeling Contractor
Building a luxury home or remodeling your existing residence can seem complicated and overwhelming but choosing the right partner can make all the difference. CMetric Construction is a statewide certified general contractor that is licensed and insured to complete residential construction projects throughout Florida. We are dedicated to providing excellent customer service, creative solutions and top-quality workmanship at a fair price.
Whether you are adding on, remodeling or building a new, custom-designed home, we’ll listen to what you want in order to tailor the project to your exact specifications. Call us to discuss your next home improvement or new construction project.