Individual homeowners are entirely responsible for hiring contractors on their property, understanding their liability, and validating any product / service warranties. At the same time, DSCA volunteers care about our residents.
We remind homeowners to perform due diligence and to independently verify information provided by a contractor or service provider, particularly those who may be previously unknown to you or may be furnishing their own references.
We have listed several government resources below that may assist homeowners in vetting potential contractors, reducing risk, and even reducing the amount of unsolicited solicitation we receive in the neighborhood.
To view contractors licensed by Hillsborough County, visit https://aca-prod.accela.com/HCFL/Login.aspx. After creating and logging into your account, click Search on the left side of the page and then click License Records. Several search options are available. Using the Business Name or Full Name has seemed to provide reliable results, although it may be best to try partial name searches (e.g., search for ABC rather than ABC Custom Homes, Inc.) or enter the State License Number (e.g., CGC123456). Once your search criteria has been entered, scroll down the page and select Search.
To view online code cases for the selected contractor, {or to later monitor your project, assuming it requires County permitting) confirm the correct contractor has been selected and then scroll down the screen. Expand the section labeled Related Records. To find code cases, click on the Record Type column header and then scan the Record Number column for records with CMP in them (e.g., HC-CMP-YY-9999999). For each CMP record, click on the record number to see detail related to the code case. Select Record Info and from the drop-down menu, select Attachments. Here, you will find a fair amount of detail about what has occurred and when.
Additional County resources deal with Construction Fraud and Reporting Construction Fraud.
If you want to dig a little deeper, the DBPR website also provides information about complaints against a given contractor. Navigate to DPBR Licensee Search Options. Select Verify a License from the vertical menu on the left, select your search type (name, license number, city/county, or license type), and click on Search. On the next page, enter your search criteria and again select Search. Matching search results should appear. Click on the hyperlinked name of the contractor you wish to look up. Then look near the bottom of the results section on the following page and click on View License Complaint to find a variety of actionable public complaints (if applicable) along with steps to find additional complaints and disciplinary actions. Because the table on this last page is limited to a subset of actionable complaints, it is fairly usual to find nothing listed here.
Accurate search results rely upon your getting the details right. For instance, make sure the name you look up, the name listed on your contract and insurance certificates, and the name of the company doing the work match. Also your General Contractor is not your only concern; it can pay to make sure your General Contractor is using licensed, professional trades when needed.
- Contractors who do not have insurance risk themselves and their clients. If an accident or property damage occurs, the contractor will be responsible for costs associated with the incident. This could potentially bankrupt the contractor and leave you without any recourse.
- You could also be held liable for any accidents or property damage that occur if you hire an uninsured or underinsured contractor. These damages may include the cost of repairs, medical bills, and legal fees.
In short, it is never a good idea to hire a contractor who does not have proper insurance coverage. Not only are you putting yourself at risk, but you are also putting your property and huge investment at risk.
It appears that Florida contractors are typically required to have worker’s compensation insurance and general liability insurance, with specific requirements varying based on the type of contractor and whether they have employees. Florida also mandates commercial auto insurance for company vehicles, and additional types of insurance may be advisable or required based on specific circumstances and types of work. Surety bonds can also provide clients invaluable financial protection for larger projects.
- Worker’s Compensation: Florida Department of Financial Services provides a Worker’s Compensation compliance proof of coverage search page. Validating worker’s compensation coverage is a bit more complicated than verifying a license. You’ll want to see, for instance, if coverage exists, if anyone is exempt and what they are exempt for, and whether coverage matches the type of work the firm or individual will be doing. Although we are not qualified to advise in this arena, there are plenty of online resources that can be referenced as needed.
- General Liability: Request that you be added as an additional insured and obtain a certificate of insurance from the contractor indicating such prior to their beginning work. When reviewing the certificate, check the terms and limits of the contractor’s policy.
To learn more about proper insurance coverage, including builders risk insurance coverage that protects buildings, materials, and potentially other structures during construction against perils like fire, vandalism, theft, and weather damage, consult your insurance agent or a legal professional.
[Note: A background check may also be performed, and the above should not be considered a replacement for such. Proper background checks, for instance, typically include a review of records outside of the immediate county.]
Caution is recommended when hearing from the contractor that they are “working with several others in the neighborhood.” You just may want to check that out for yourself.
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