Hiring a contractor? Steps to consider after Hurricane Milton

Southwest Florida is in recovery and rebuilding mode after Hurricane Milton.

Before you begin working, it’s important to know which projects require a permit and which don’t so that unpermitted work doesn’t threaten flood insurance discounts.

For Charlotte County, one of the hardest hit areas, contractors do not need a permit to remove debris, drywall, and structural shoring and bracing.

Minor water leaks that don’t involve structural, mechanical, or electrical systems can be repaired with a permit, and previously permitted fences can be reinstalled.

After checking on permits, hiring a contractor is the next step.

It remains crucial that a homeowner does their due diligence when hiring a contractor.

While many seek to return to normalcy following a hurricane, homeowners must follow the appropriate steps to ensure that whoever was hired for contracting work has the client’s best interest in mind.

To begin with, ask the contractor for their license and insurance numbers and verify that they are licensed and insured through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation website.

You can search by the company name, license number, city or county, or license type.

If the company has subcontractors, ask for their license and insurance numbers.

Another tip is to search for the contractor on the Better Business Bureau website.

You can ensure the contractor is accredited and see if people have filed complaints against the business.

Getting quotes from different contractors to compare prices, ask for referrals, and pay the contractor in increments is a good idea.

Also, check the permitting process with your local city or county government to ensure you have all the permits needed before the contractors start working on your home.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has also provided additional tips when hiring a contractor:

• Have an insurance company evaluate damage before arranging repairs to ensure that the work will be covered under a policy;
• Get at least three written, itemized estimates on bids or repairs;
• Watch out for unsolicited offers or contractors claiming to perform repairs at a discount with leftover supplies from another job;
• Research a company and its reputation—look for references online or ask a friend;
• Make sure a contractor is bonded and verified with a bonding agency;
• Read the entire contract, including the fine print, before signing to ensure it includes the required buyer’s right to cancel language. Understand penalties that may be imposed for cancellation;
• Insist on the release of any liens from all subcontractors that could be placed on the property prior to making final payments. Homeowners may unknowingly have liens placed against their properties by suppliers or subcontractors who did not get paid by the contractor. If the contractor fails to pay the homeowner, the liens will remain on the title;
• Never pay the full amount of a repair expense upfront, and research the company thoroughly before providing large deposits and 
• Do not sign a certificate of completion or make the final payment until satisfied with the work performed.