Hurricane Preparation and Recovery: Hire a Licensed Florida Contractor

Hurricane season begins June 1, but it’s never too early to be prepared. 2017 was an active and destructive hurricane season in Florida, so it’s even more essential than ever to be prepared in this upcoming season. If you still have repairs that need fixing from Hurricane Irma or another storm, you should hire a licensed Florida contractor. When you hire a licensed contractor, you will receive more personal and financial protection as state-licensed professionals are required to comply with building codes and are covered by homeowner’s insurance.

Before you hire a contract, verify if he or she is licensed. Contact the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to ask for the contractor’s licensed number. You can reach the DBPR at 850-487-1395 or at www.myfloridalicense.com.

In Florida, a contractor must have their license number on their business card and any advertising material. In the state of Florida, any type of contractor (plumbing, roofer, HVAC, electrician) need to have a license.

When hiring a contractor, consider the following tips:

• Obtain several cost estimates to ensure you’re getting a fair assessment.
• Check references and reviews.
• Don’t commit to a contract or make a payment on the spot.
• Get everything in writing including a description of the work, total costs, and completion date.

With Florida often being in hurricane’s paths it’s essential Florida contractors are licensed and build to code to ensure your home is safe from future storms. Governor Rick Scott recently announced that the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has released the new edition of its Rating the States report, ranking Florida No. 1 for strengthening residential building-code systems. He stated, “In Florida, we know how important it is to be prepared for hurricanes while doing everything possible to keep families safe. Florida’s building codes have consistently ranked among the strongest in the nation and I’m proud that we have now been ranked first for building code strength by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety.”

As a homeowner, how can you prepare for the 2018 hurricane season? This year, there will be a 2018 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday from June 1-7 which will make the following items exempt from the state sales tax:

• AA, AAA, C, D, 6-volt and 9-volt batteries for $30 or less.
• Nonelectric food storage coolers for $30 or less.
• Portable generators for $750 or less.
• Reusable ice for $10 or less.
• Portable self-powered light sources for $20 or less.
• Portable self-powered radios for $50 or less.
• Waterproof sheeting for $50 or less.
• Ground anchor systems for $50 or less.
• Gas or diesel fuel tanks for $25 or less.

The DBPR will also partner with the Red Cross to host a “Build Your Bucket” event on June 2 from 9 a.m. to noon at the North Florida Fairgrounds in Tallahassee where consumers can visit vendor booths and fill their buckets will free hurricane supplies.

Have any questions about hurricane preparedness or hiring or becoming a licensed contractor? Our team at Licenses, Etc. is always willing and able to help. Call us at 239-777-1028 or email us at support@licensesetc.com. If you have an additional questions about getting your Florida contractor’s license, don’t hesitate to ask, or visit our Florida contractor’s license page.