What Is A Licensed Contractor In Florida? – Everything You Need to Know About Hiring A Gutter Contractor

Are you looking for someone to someone to repair your roof in Florida but are determining whether you need to hire a licensed contractor? It can be confusing to understand what it means to be a licensed contractor and whether it’s an essential factor in hiring someone to work on your roof. This article examines what it means to be a licensed contractor in Florida and how important this qualification is in your gutter installation or repair project.

Definition of a licensed contractor in Florida

Legally, you have to be a licensed contractor in order to market yourself as a gutter installation professional in the state of Florida – so what is the definition of a licensed contractor in Florida, and why is it important to hire one?

If a contractor is licensed, it means that they have paid their dues. They have passed rigorous exams and have the necessary experience to prove they are legitimate professionals in their chosen industry. While hiring someone who is not a licensed contractor to complete your gutter installation may be cheaper, it is more likely to cost you in the long run due to their lack of experience and expertise – not to mention the legal cost of knowingly hiring an unlicensed contractor. 

Importance of licensing for contractors

Not only does licensing confirm the contractor’s extensive experience and expertise in the area of gutter installation, but licensing protects both the contractor and the owner in the event of an accident. 

There are risks to any profession when it comes to working at heights – and working on a roof is no exception! Licensed contractors in Florida are required to carry workers’ compensation, public liability insurance, and property damage liability insurance. These policies will ensure that both the contractor and the property owner are covered in case of an accident.

Types of licenses in Florida for contractors

Two types of contractor licenses are available in Florida: certified and registered. These types of licenses primarily affect the location where a contractor can work. With a certified license, a gutter contractor is legally allowed to work anywhere in the state where they acquired a license. However, contractors may only work in certain local jurisdictions when they obtain a registered license.

Benefits of working with a licensed gutter contractor

Why else does contractor licensing matter when it comes to hiring a professional to work on your gutters? The benefits of working with a licensed contractor are the same, whether working with a licensed contractor for gutter installation or gutter repair. 

Let’s take a look at the benefits of working with a licensed contractor:

Licensed contractors have expertise in their field

When hiring a licensed gutter contractor, you can be sure they are the best in their field. A licensed gutter contractor will have significant experience in gutter installation, gutter cleaning, and gutter repair and will be able to ensure that water damage does not occur to the property owner’s home.

Licensed contractors are required to complete continuous education

Licensed contractors in Florida are required to renew their contractors license every two years. A certified general contractor license expires on August 31st of each even year and registered general contractor licenses expire on the same date during odd years. 

In order to renew their contractor license in Florida, a contractor must complete 14 hours of Continuous Education (CE) courses and provide proof of completion. Any courses taken as part of the licensing requirement must be state approved.

Licensed contractors have references and reviews

A licensed contractor will have a written list of references and past customers that you will be able to call for a background check. If they are already an established business, then they may also have online reviews that can easily be accessed.

Licensed contractors care about their community

When you work with a licensed contractor, you can be confident that you are hiring someone who cares about the community where they work. When a company performs gutter installation and maintenance without a license, they cheat their community by putting homeowners at risk. They also risk their employees by not carrying workers compensation insurance. 

How to verify a contractor’s license in Florida

There are ways to verify a contractors license in Florida if you are concerned that they may not be a licensed contractor. A licensed contractor should be willing to provide you with their license number, which should also be plainly visible on their website. 

The following resources can be used to confirm a contractor’s license in Florida:

• Conducting a contractor license search by visiting www.myfloridalicense.com
• Calling 850-487-1395
• Downloading the Department of Business and Professional Regulation mobile app

Smart Florida Gutters are licensed contractors you can trust

If you live in the Tampa Bay area, Smart Florida Gutters is here to serve you. We are bonded and insured contractors who are licensed in the state of Florida. Contact us today to get your 100% free quote on your residential gutter installation and replacement in Florida. We are experienced gutter professionals you can trust!

Frequently asked questions about licensed contractors in Florida

Have more questions about licensed contractors in Florida? We answer some of your most frequently asked questions below.

What happens if I work with an unlicensed contractor in Florida?

Hiring an unlicensed contractor is not only a bad idea but it is also considered illegal by Florida law. While contracting without a license is illegal, knowingly hiring an unlicensed contractor is also illegal. This is why it is important to verify a contractors license before signing off on a project.

How do I find a licensed gutter contractor in Florida?

Licensed gutter contractors can be found via the Better Business Bureau. A gutter contractor should also have their license number stated plainly on their website. If you are unsure about whether or not a contractor is licensed, you can verify this information through Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation.

What should I look for in a gutter contractor’s license?

When confirming a gutter contractor’s license, you should look for the following:

• License number
• Insurance
• Customer reviews
• Previous work/ company history
• Accredited associations (Better Business Bureau, Local Chambers of Commerce, etc)