The 10 Best Miami, FL General Contractors

You must hire a state registered / certified contractor for all residential work that requires a permit or that you will pay someone to do. All new construction, work involving structural changes and services such as air conditioning or plumbing work, require a licensed contractor. A licensed contractor is also required if there is any building violation on the property that must be fixed.

The Florida Construction Industry License Board maintains high standards for contractor certification. Applicants must prove 4 years of relevant work experience or education, pass a state board examination on relevant skills, law and business, prove financial solvency and pay a fee. As of 2007, applicants must submit their fingerprints for a criminal background check. Contractors must complete 14 hours of continued education every two years to be eligible for renewal. Contractors must maintain an active workers’ compensation policy and provide proof of public liability and property damage insurance in the amounts determined by the Board.

Furthermore, the City of Miami requires contractors to register for inclusion in the City’s Contractor’s Qualification Database. This requires a driver’s license, social security number, business occupational license, and the obligation to keep the City up to date with the company address, email and phone number. The Code of Miami Dade County also requires 16 hours of continued education, more than the 14 required by the State.

The Florida Construction Industry License Board requires contractors to hold an active workers’ compensation policy and public liability and property damage insurance in the amounts determined by the Board. It is highly recommended that you acquire copies of each insurance certificate for your records prior to the start of construction on your property.

The City of Miami requires a building permit for most construction projects. A building permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure. Building without a permit when one is required puts you at risk of citation, higher permit fees, the required removal of the un-permitted work, problems selling your home in the future and the possibility that homeowners insurance won’t cover damage that results from the non-permitted construction. If you are unsure whether or not your project requires a permit, contact the Miami Building Department at 305.416.1100.

The Miami Building Department handles all permit issuing in the City. This process is designed to protect public and environmental safety by ensuring compliance with all relevant building codes and ordinances. The Building Department offers a number of services to assist you through the development process, including a Building Help Desk to answer questions and help customers understand requirements. The Department provides a variety of methods for obtaining a building permit. Some projects are eligible for same-day ‘walk through’ permits and most can be applied for electronically. More details are available on the Miami Building Department’s website.

As a last resort, homeowners who have suffered monetary loss due to the the financial mismanagement or misconduct of a certified contractor may have access to the Florida Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund. Recovery is limited to natural persons and the Board makes the determination of eligibility. Contractors are not required to hold a bond.

The BuildZoom score is based on a number of factors including the contractor's license information, which is gathered from the Florida Construction Industry License Board; building permit data, gathered from the Miami Building Department; and feedback and behavior we have observed in the BuildZoom marketplace and in other, third-party review sites.

We have analyzed every licensed contractor who has worked in Miami, Florida. Using this information, we’re able to save you time, money and lessen your risk by providing you with a simple and straight-forward way to gather and receive multiple bids from vetted general contractors in Miami. Click here to get started by providing us with a few details about your project.