Hiring a contractor is one of the largest checks most homeowners ever write, and it is handed over on trust. A license is the main tool Florida gives you to verify that trust before money changes hands — but only if you actually check it. A license number printed on a quote, a truck or a website proves nothing on its own. Numbers can be borrowed, expired, or belong to someone else entirely. These five checks take about half an hour.

Step 1: Get the license number — in writing

Start by asking for the contractor's full legal business name and license number, on the written quote, not just spoken over the phone. A legitimate contractor gives this without hesitation; it is public information, and in Florida licensed contractors are expected to display their license number on advertising and contracts. Note the exact name and number — you will need both for the lookup, and a mismatch is itself a warning sign. If the contractor cannot or will not provide a number, or says a license is unnecessary for the job, pause. Some small jobs genuinely fall outside licensing requirements, but a contractor who should be licensed and is not is a risk you do not need to take.

Step 2: Verify it with the state

Florida contractor licenses are regulated by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), which runs a free online license lookup. Search by the license number or the business name, and check four things: that the license exists, that its status shows as current and active, that the name on the license matches the person or business you are hiring, and that the license type covers the work you need — a roofing license does not authorize electrical work, and a general contractor's license is a different credential from a specialty trade license. The lookup may also show complaints and disciplinary history: a single old complaint may mean little, but a pattern means a lot. Florida also distinguishes certified contractors, licensed statewide by the DBPR, from registered contractors, licensed locally by a county or city — both can be legitimate, but a registered contractor's license is only valid in the jurisdictions that issued it, so confirm the coverage includes your area.

Step 3: Confirm insurance

A license is not insurance, and you need both. Ask for proof of general liability insurance and, if the contractor has employees, workers' compensation coverage. The reason is blunt: if an uninsured worker is injured on your property, or an uninsured contractor damages your home, the financial fallout can land on you. Ask for a certificate sent directly from the insurer or agent, and confirm the policy is current. This check takes one phone call or email, and legitimate contractors expect it — it is a routine request in the trade, not an insult.

Step 4: Check who pulls the permit

For permitted work — roofing, electrical, plumbing, structural changes and most major renovations — the contractor should pull the permit in their own name, and it should be posted on site before work starts. This is one of the most revealing checks of all: a contractor who asks you, the homeowner, to pull the permit in your name is often trying to dodge responsibility, because the permit holder is the one accountable to the building department. If a contractor tells you no permit is needed, verify that with your local building department yourself — a quick call settles it, and it is far cheaper than discovering unpermitted work when you sell the house. Our guide How Much Does Roof Repair Cost in Florida? explains where permits fit into roofing quotes specifically.

Step 5: Read the contract before you sign

A proper contract protects both sides, and its absence is a red flag in itself. Before signing, confirm it lists the full scope of work in detail — materials, brands and quantities, not just a trade name and a price — the total price, the payment schedule, the start and estimated completion dates, and the warranty on both materials and labor. Be wary of a payment schedule that demands most or all of the money upfront: progress payments tied to completed stages are the norm, and a large deposit before any work begins is a classic warning sign. Any change to the scope should be added as a written change order with its own price, not agreed verbally on site. Read it at your own pace — pressure to sign immediately is never a good sign.

Red flags that should stop you

  • No license number on the quote, the website or the vehicle, or a number that does not verify in the state lookup.
  • Cash-only payment, or a large discount offered only for cash.
  • Pressure to sign today, or a price that is only valid if you commit on the spot.
  • Door-to-door solicitation after a storm, especially from out-of-area crews — storm-chasing roofers are a recurring Florida problem, and the license check matters most exactly when someone arrives uninvited.
  • Asking you to pull the permit, or claiming no permit is needed for work that plainly requires one.
  • No written contract, no business address, or a phone number that goes unanswered when you call back.

If you already hired someone unlicensed

If these checks come too late and you discover mid-job that your contractor is unlicensed, stop and document: keep the contract, all payments, photos of the work so far, and every message. You can report unlicensed activity to the DBPR, and your local building department can advise whether the work done so far meets code or needs correction by a licensed contractor. Do not let it drift — unlicensed work can complicate insurance claims and a future sale, and early review by a licensed professional keeps corrections cheaper.

The bottom line

License number in writing, verified with the state, insurance confirmed, permit in the contractor's name, and a detailed written contract — five checks, about half an hour, and they filter out most problem contractors. The cheapest quote from an unverified contractor is rarely the cheapest job. To find pros listed on this directory, roofers in Miami, FL or call (844) 211-0179.

Related guide: How Much Does a Plumber Cost in 2026?