After storm: Tips for hiring contractors

a contractor has been in the business, check out work done and the contractor’s license number. Licensed contractors must have general liability, property damage and workers’ compensation insurance in effect at all times.

Request a Certificate of Competency card and a driver’s license; the names should be the same. Licensed contractors are required to include their Certificate of Competency license numbers in all advertising and vehicles used for work.

Check if your contractor has unresolved complaints and if his license has ever been revoked or suspended.

Go to sunbiz.org to research firms or agents registered with the state. Check the Better Business Bureau’s website for any complaints filed against the company: bbb.org.

Get all proposals, contracts agreements in writing.

If you hire a contractor and the work costs more than $2,500, you may be liable if your contractor fails to pay his suppliers or contractors. To prevent this, get what is called a “release lien” from the contractor before making a lump sum or final payment for any work. or

A large down payment is sought before work starts; make only partial payments until work is done.

Many money requests are made in early phases of construction.

You’re asked to pay cash or make a check payable to an individual or “cash” instead of a company name.

Building permits: A licensed contractor in good standing will always obtain a permit for work performed. If you obtain the permit, you will be held responsible for complying with the Florida Building Code and for workers injured on the job. Beware if you are told the job does not require a building permit. Almost all projects, with few exceptions, require one.

The contractor is only willing to work on weekends and evenings, a sign the person may be an employee moonlighting without a license.

Beware if the contractor isn’t willing to put all terms in writing and offers a verbal contract or if someone other than the contractor obtains the building permit.

File a complaint with your local police department.

To verify a contractor’s state license, go to the website of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s licensing division: myfloridalicense.com, then click on Verify a License in the top row, second from the left.

To complain about a contractor, go to the same website and click on File a Complaint bar on the left side.