Definitions of Different Types of Contractors 

At Licenses, Etc., we not only like helping people get their contractor license, we like to share contractor information and news with our clients. We wanted to share the different types of contractors.  

We wanted to round up and summarize different contracting occupations defined by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR). 

 Contractor – A contractor defines a person who is qualified and responsible for a project contracted for and “means, except as exempted in this part, the person, who, for compensation, undertakes to, submits a bid to, or does himself or herself or by others construct, repair, alter, remodel, add to, demolish, subtract from, or improve any building or structure, including related improvements to real estate, for others or for resale to others.” 

 Certified Contractor – This is any contractor that has a certificate of competency issued from the DBPR. These contractors can work in the state without being required to fulfill competency requirements of any particular jurisdiction. 

 Registered Contractor – This is any contractor who has registered with the DBPR and must fulfill the competency requirements in the jurisdiction where their registration is listed and issued. They can only contract in such jurisdictions. 

 General Contractor – This is a contractor who can perform unlimited services in terms of what type of work he or she does. 

 Building Contractor – A building contractor’s services are limited to the construction of commercial, single-dwelling, and multiple dwelling buildings. These buildings cannot be more than three stories in height. 

 Residential Contractor – This is a contractor whose services are limited to construction, remodeling, repair and improvement of residential homes (no more than two stories) and “accessory use structures” in connection to these buildings. 

 There are many more types of contractors, but the contractors listed above as the most common.  

If you’re looking to become a contractor yourself, let our team at Licenses, Etc. help you get your Florida contractor’s license fast. Click contractor license page or contact us at 239-777-1028.