The 10 Best Tampa, FL General Contractors

If you pay for any construction or home improvement work in Tampa, you must hire a state or locally certified contractor. This includes for work that does not require a permit, such as painting.

There are two relevant types of general contractor in Tampa - state or locally certified.

A state certified contractor holds a license from the Florida Construction Industry License Board. State applicants must pass an examination on relevant skills, law and business, have 4 years of relevant work experience or education, prove financial solvency and submit his/her fingerprints for a criminal background check. Contractors must take 14 hours of continued education every two years in order to renew a license. State licensed contractors in Tampa must register their license with the City’s Construction Services Center. This requires proof of liability insurance, worker’s compensation and a valid driver’s license.

The City of Tampa also recognizes contractors locally certified by Hillsborough County Development Services. County certified contractors must prove financial solvency, demonstrate an appropriate amount of relevant professional or hands on experience, pay fees and pass two examinations on the fundamentals of the trade, business and law. Applicants must submit to a credit report and background check. Locally certified contractors must show proof of a $5,000 bond, liability insurance and worker’s compensation. To register with the Tampa’s Construction Services Center, County certified contractors must show a current Hillsborough County Competency card and a valid driver’s license. Locally certified contractors must re-register with the Center every two years upon renewal of their license.

Both state and locally certified contractors in Tampa are required to hold an workers’ compensation policy and liability insurance. You should request copies of each of these insurance certifications for your records before any work begins on your property.

Most construction and home improvement projects in Tampa require at least one type of permit. All new construction, additions, remodeling and demolition need a building permit. Common projects that require a permit include roofing, siding or stucco work over 500 square feet, building masonry walls, wrought iron fences, the installation of electric shutters, most pools and spas, seawalls and docks, modular units, moving a house, foundation repair, work on paver or concrete driveways, and the replacement of windows and doors if the replacement is a different size. This list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure if your project requires a permit, you should contact the City of Tampa Construction Services Division at 813.274.3100.

The City of Tampa Construction Services Division issues permits and is responsible for enforcing applicable building codes and ordinances. At the start of your project, you and your contractor should determine who will be responsible for acquiring the necessary permits. The Construction Services Division offers a number of services to assist you with the permitting process. This includes preliminary plan review meetings and for some complex projects, the assignment of a Development Services Coordinator to guide you through the process. A variety of methods for obtaining a permit are available, including through a new online permitting system. Some permits for minor remodeling projects are available without plans, often the same day. Most projects will require the submission of construction plans for review. More details are available on the City of Tampa’s Construction Services Division’s website.

Florida licensed contractors do not need to hold a surety bond to work on residential properties. Hillsborough County certified contractors must hold a $5,000 bond. Homeowners who have suffered monetary loss due to the the financial mismanagement or misconduct of a licensed contractor may have access to the Florida Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund as a last resort. Recovery is limited to natural persons. The Board makes the final determination of eligibility.

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 City of Tampa’s Construction Services Division; 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 Tampa, 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 Tampa. Click here to get started by providing us with a few details about your project.