Educational Resource
BEFORE YOU HIRE
A CONTRACTOR.
We wrote this guide because too many Jacksonville homeowners get burned by bad contractors. Use this whether you hire us or not. Protecting yourself is more important than getting our business.
RED FLAGS.
If you see any of these, walk away.
No written contract
If it's not in writing, it doesn't exist. Verbal promises vanish the moment there's a dispute.
Asks for 50%+ upfront
Industry standard is 10-25% deposit. More than that means they're funding other projects with your money.
No physical address
P.O. boxes and cell phones only = they can disappear. Look for a real office or at minimum a verifiable local address.
Can't provide license number
In Florida, general contractors must be licensed. No license = illegal work that won't pass inspection.
No insurance certificates
If a worker gets hurt on your property without workers' comp, YOU could be liable.
Pressures you to decide today
Legitimate contractors don't use high-pressure sales. Good work speaks for itself.
Way below everyone else's price
If one bid is 40% less, they're cutting corners — cheap materials, unlicensed subs, or they'll hit you with change orders.
No references or recent photos
If they can't show you work from the last 6 months, ask yourself why.
12 QUESTIONS TO ASK.
Before you sign anything, ask these.
Are you licensed in the state of Florida? What's your license number?
Do you carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation?
Can I see certificates of insurance before we start?
Will you provide a written, fixed-price contract?
What's your payment schedule?
Who will be my point of contact during the project?
Do you use your own crews or subcontractors?
How do you handle unexpected issues found during demo?
What's your warranty on workmanship?
Can I speak with 3 recent clients?
Do you pull permits and schedule inspections?
What happens if the project goes over timeline?
YOUR DUE DILIGENCE CHECKLIST.
Verify Florida contractor license
Visit myfloridalicense.com — search by name or license number
Confirm insurance coverage
Request certificates of both general liability AND workers' compensation
Check reviews on multiple platforms
Google, Yelp, BBB, Houzz, Nextdoor — not just their website testimonials
Get 3 written bids
Compare scope, not just price. Cheapest isn't always best.
Read the contract completely
Every word. Payment schedule, change order process, warranty terms, timeline.
Visit a current or recent job
See their work quality in person. Talk to the homeowner if possible.
Understand the payment schedule
Never more than 25% upfront. Final payment AFTER walkthrough.
Confirm permit responsibility
Your contractor should pull all permits. If they suggest skipping permits — run.
HOW TB CONSTRUCTION MEASURES UP.
Florida Licensed General Contractor
$2M General Liability Insurance
Workers' Compensation on every crew
Fixed-price written contracts
25/50/25 payment schedule
One dedicated project manager
Own crews — no subcontractor roulette
1-year workmanship warranty
We pull all permits
50+ completed projects with references
HIRE WITH CONFIDENCE.
Now you know what to look for. Ready to talk to a contractor who checks every box?