The following has been compiled from information published by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Ask for a copy of the license and more than one form of identification. Make sure the license looks like the sample shown. In addition, research the company and the individual contractor through the state of Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board before you sign a contract. The Board falls under the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. If the contractor is not listed at www.myfloridalicense.com, you should not sign a contract with this company.

Beware of a contractor who says he or she is working under the license of other contractor who will pull the permits. Such action is unlawful and does not allow a contractor to bypass proper licensing.

What to watch out for:

Contruction jobs without a permit posted

Business names on vehicles without a license number posted

Contractor vehicles with out-of-state tags

Ongoing jobs at hours during which business is not normallyperformed

Review the Protect Your Construction Investment brochure from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

A state-certified or register contractor's license is required for the following jobs:

Roofing work.

An unlicensed person is only permitted to “dry-in” a structure. Drying-in a structure means the use of tarps, plastic sheeting, or other temporary materials for the sole purpose of preventing further damage to the structure. All permanent repairs must be made by a licensed individual.

Any plumbing work that requires a permit or is over $1,000(total contract)

Any electrical item that becomes fabricated into the structure.

Any additions or major remodeling jobs,

Major A/C replacement or repair jobs.

The DBPR does not license or have jurisdiction over concrete contractors, drywall contractors, cabinetmakers, tile installers or anyone doing minor repairs. Be sure to check with your local building department regarding requirements for these trades.

According to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, be certain your contract includes:

The contractor's name, street address, telephone number and state license number.

A precise description of the work to be completed, including a work completion timeline, draw schedule and list of materials.

Completion date, including cleanup after the work is finished.

Warranty agreements, including length, terms and recourse.

A notice of consumers' rights under the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund for contracts involving general, residential and building contractors..

Read your contract carefully and personally fill in and initial any blank spaces. Consider having an attorney review the contract. If you do not have an attorney, the Florida Bar offers a lawyer referral service.

If you do not intend to do the work yourself and have been asked by someone without a license to pull the permit, you run the risk of financial harm.

Section 489.103(7), Florida Statues requires that when a property owner acts as his or her own contractor, he or she must supervise the work being performed. Any unlicensed person working on your property must be employed by you, which means you are responsible for payroll, taxes and insurance. Before you pull your own permit, read this notice from DBPR.

You should always file a Notice of Commencment before beginning a renovation or construction project.

The local building department that issues building permits will provide this form to you or you can complete one online at www.workvillage.com. The completed form must be filed with the Clerk of the Court in the county where the improved property is located. This Notice of Commencement indicates the intent to begin work, a description of the work to be performed, a legal description of your property, and the parties involved in the work such as property owner, lender, surety, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. Incomplete or inaccurate information can contribute to your paying twice for work performed.

The certifed copy of Notice of Commencement should also be posted at the job site. The building department is prohibited from making its first inspection until the Notice of Commencement has been properly recorded with the Clerk of the Court.

Any party working on your project who does not have a direct relationship with you must file a Notice to Owner to protect his or her lien rights.

Prior to filing a lien, a subcontractor or supplier (the lienor) must prepare a Notice to Owner. The Notice to Owner numst state the lienor's name and address, the description of the property and the nature of the services or material provided. This Notice to Owner must be delivered to you by certified mail within 45 days of the first date on the job or delivery of materials. A lien cannot be enforced if the Notice to Owner was not properly delivered within the time period specificed.

A Notice to Owner is notification to yor that a subcontractor or supplier is working on your property. It does not directly attach to your property.

Request from your contractor via certified mail a list of all subcontractors and suppliers who have a contract with your contractor and are working on your property.

Prior to making any payments to your contractor, you should request lien releases from all subcontractors and suppliers. These releases indicate to you that your contractor has paid the subcontractors and suppliers. Any subcontractors and suppliers not paid by your contract who have delivered a timely and proper Notice to Owner have the right to lien you property if not paid.

If you have obtained funding for your project, your lender should obtain all releases prior to paying your contractor.