When it comes to home repairs and renovations, hiring a licensed contractor isn't just a nice-to-have—it's essential protection for you, your home, and your investment.

What Does It Mean to Be Licensed?

A contractor's license is issued by the state after the contractor has:

  • Passed competency examinations
  • Demonstrated financial responsibility
  • Met experience requirements
  • Obtained required insurance

In Florida, different types of work require different licenses. For example, electrical work requires an electrical contractor license, while general renovations may require a general contractor or building contractor license.

The Risks of Hiring Unlicensed Contractors

Financial Risk

If an unlicensed contractor damages your property or does substandard work, you have limited legal recourse. You may end up paying twice—once for the bad work, and again to have it fixed properly.

Safety Risk

Unlicensed contractors may not understand building codes or safety requirements. Improper electrical, plumbing, or structural work can create hazards for your family.

Insurance Risk

Your homeowner's insurance may not cover damage caused by unlicensed work. Worse, if someone is injured on your property during the work, you could be held liable.

Permit Problems

Work that requires permits must be done by licensed contractors. Unpermitted work can cause problems when you try to sell your home or file insurance claims.

Warning: In Florida, it's illegal for unlicensed individuals to contract for work over $1,000 (including labor and materials) on most projects. Both the unlicensed contractor AND the homeowner can face penalties.

How Real Time Repairs Protects You

Every contractor on Real Time Repairs goes through our verification process:

  • License verification: We confirm active, valid licenses with the state
  • Insurance verification: We verify general liability and workers' comp coverage
  • Ongoing monitoring: We regularly re-verify credentials
  • Review system: See what other homeowners say about their work

Look for the verification badges on contractor profiles to know you're working with a legitimate professional.

How to Verify a License Yourself

Even with our verification, it's always smart to double-check. In Florida, you can verify any contractor's license at MyFloridaLicense.com.

When checking, look for:

  • License status (Active vs. Inactive)
  • License type (matches the work you need)
  • Any disciplinary actions
  • Insurance on file

Bottom Line

Hiring a licensed contractor is one of the best ways to protect yourself during any home improvement project. Don't let a lower price from an unlicensed worker tempt you—the risks simply aren't worth it.