FloridaContractor Insurance

Florida contractors need general liability insurance with minimum coverage varying by license type ($300,000 to $1,000,000), workers compensation insurance for all employees, and surety bonds ranging from $2,500 to $50,000 depending on the contractor classification. Contact Contractors Choice Agency at 844-WORK-247 for competitive Florida contractor insurance quotes and licensing assistance.

Apply online at irs.gov completely free. The IRS never charges for EIN applications. Avoid third-party services that charge fees. Your EIN (also called FEIN, Tax ID, or Federal Tax ID) is available immediately upon approval and is required for business banking, taxes, and licensing.

LLCs cost $125 to form and offer flexible management with pass-through taxation. Corporations cost $78.75, provide more formal structure, and may offer better access to capital and bonding. Both provide liability protection, but corporations have more complex requirements like annual meetings and formal record-keeping.

While not legally required, hurricane coverage is highly recommended. Your general liability and property insurance may have named storm deductibles. Consider flood insurance, equipment protection from wind/water damage, and business interruption coverage for hurricane season.

Florida contractor insurance costs vary significantly based on company size, revenue, trade type, claims history, and coverage limits. Hurricane exposure in coastal areas may increase premiums. Contact Contractors Choice Agency for personalized Florida contractor insurance quotes tailored to your specific business needs at contractorschoiceagency.com/quote.

Most Florida contractor licenses require 14 hours of continuing education every 2 years. This includes updates on Florida Building Code, safety training, and trade-specific requirements. Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and roofing contractors all have specific CE requirements.

Florida contractors must serve Notice to Owner within 45 days of first work, file liens within 90 days of last work, and enforce within 1 year. Private projects allow reasonable payment time, while public projects require payment within 25 days of approval.

Florida contractors must comply with stormwater pollution prevention, wetlands protection, coastal construction permitting, proper waste disposal, air quality monitoring, and underground storage tank regulations through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

No, you must obtain a Florida contractor license through DBPR. However, emergency contractor registration may be available for out-of-state contractors during declared emergencies. You'll still need proper insurance and bonding meeting Florida requirements.

Projects over $200,000 typically require payment and performance bonds equal to 100% of contract value. Maintenance bonds may also be required. Subcontractor bonds are often required, and prequalification includes financial capacity, experience records, and safety evaluations.

After passing the required exams, license processing takes 2-4 weeks if all documentation is complete. This includes insurance certificates, bond documentation, experience verification, and application fees. Exam scheduling can add several weeks to the timeline. Contractors Choice Agency can expedite your insurance certificates and bonding to speed up your Florida licensing process.

Florida follows federal OSHA standards including fall protection, hazard communication, personal protective equipment, trenching safety, and electrical safety. Many contractors also need OSHA 10 or 30-hour training. Hurricane mitigation certification is required for roofing contractors.

State contractor licenses are valid statewide, but many counties and municipalities require additional business tax receipts, building permits, and sometimes contractor registration. Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange, Hillsborough, and Palm Beach have specific local requirements.

Working without required insurance can result in license suspension, fines, personal liability for damages, inability to file liens, exclusion from public projects, and potential criminal charges. Workers compensation violations carry severe penalties including stop-work orders.

Register online at floridarevenue.com for sales tax (if applicable), reemployment tax, and corporate income tax. You'll need your Federal EIN, business formation documents, and information about your business activities. Registration is free and can be done online.

Consider joining Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida (ABC), Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA), Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA), or trade-specific associations. These provide networking, training, advocacy, and business development opportunities.

Florida contractor licenses must be renewed every 2 years. Renewal requires completing continuing education requirements, maintaining insurance and bonding, paying renewal fees, and submitting updated documentation. Late renewals may incur penalties or require license reinstatement.

Document everything, review your policy terms, contact your agent immediately, file a complaint with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation if needed, and consider hiring a public adjuster. Keep detailed records of all communications and damages for potential appeals.

Yes! The Florida SBDC Network offers free business consulting, SCORE provides free mentoring, and Enterprise Florida offers economic development assistance. Many offer specialized programs for construction businesses including financing, marketing, and growth strategies.

Start preparation in May before hurricane season begins. Review insurance policies, update emergency plans, inspect equipment, secure storage, train staff, and inventory supplies. Peak season readiness should be complete by August when hurricane activity typically increases.

Yes, cyber liability insurance is increasingly important. It covers data breaches, ransomware attacks, business interruption from cyber events, and regulatory fines. With client information, financial data, and project files stored digitally, cyber coverage protects against growing threats to contractor businesses.

Start succession planning early with key person life insurance, buy-sell agreements, employee training programs, and financial planning. Consider business valuation, tax implications, license transfers, and insurance continuation. Work with legal and financial professionals to create a comprehensive transition plan.

Professional associations offer networking opportunities, continuing education, industry advocacy, group insurance programs, legal resources, and business development support. They provide access to best practices, safety training, regulatory updates, and peer mentoring from experienced contractors.

Consider project management software, mobile apps for field operations, drone technology for inspections, smart building integration, digital documentation systems, and customer relationship management (CRM) platforms. These tools improve efficiency, communication, and competitive positioning in Florida's tech-forward construction market.

Maintain separate business and personal accounts, track cash flow carefully, build emergency reserves (3-6 months expenses), monitor accounts receivable, understand job costing, maintain good credit, and work with qualified accountants. Proper financial management is crucial for bonding capacity and business growth.