10/19/2026
In Florida, choosing a licensed and insured aluminum contractor gives the homeowner substantially more protection.
Licensed and insured contractor Unlicensed and uninsured contractor
Has verified training and qualifications for the licensed scope of work Qualifications have not been verified by the state
Can obtain required permits under the contractor’s license May avoid permits or ask the homeowner to obtain an owner-builder permit
Work is subject to building-code requirements and inspections when applicable Noncompliant work may fail inspection and require costly removal or repairs
Carries liability insurance for accidental property damage The homeowner may be left paying for damage
Carries workers’ compensation—or provides valid exemptions where allowed The homeowner may face serious financial exposure if a worker is injured
Can be investigated or disciplined by Florida DBPR DBPR has limited ability to resolve workmanship or payment disputes
Provides greater accountability for warranties and unfinished work May disappear, abandon the project, or refuse to correct problems
Written contracts and legal remedies are generally enforceable Florida law generally makes contracts by contractors lacking a required license unenforceable by that contractor
A major warning sign is someone asking the homeowner to pull an owner-builder permit. That can make the homeowner the responsible party for supervision, code compliance, taxes, insurance, and worker injuries. Florida’s owner-builder disclosure specifically warns homeowners about these financial risks.
Florida also requires construction employers with one or more employees to carry workers’ compensation, subject to limited exemptions for qualifying owners.
Before hiring anyone, ask for:
Their exact Florida license number and verify that it covers the proposed work
A current certificate of general liability insurance
Proof of workers’ compensation coverage or valid exemption
A written estimate identifying materials, scope, permits and warranty
Confirmation that the contractor—not the homeowner—will pull required permits
The cheapest quote can become the most expensive when unpermitted work, property damage, injuries or failed inspections are involved. Florida DBPR specifically warns that homeowners using unlicensed contractors may have limited recourse and may not receive coverage under their homeowner’s policy.
