Pre-hire checklist

Before you sign

A practical sequence after you have a shortlist. Progress is saved on this device. Caution patterns are educational — not accusations.

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1. Verify identity & license

Confirm active/current license status on the Trust ReportWhy this matters: Inactive or expired licenses are a hard stop for most homeowners until resolved.Verify a license →
Confirm license class fits the work (e.g. CCC/RR for roofing)Why this matters: A valid license of the wrong class may not authorize the work you need.How we map classes →
Review linked business entity (Sunbiz) when presentWhy this matters: Contracts and payments should typically match the licensed business entity.

2. Review discipline / caution signals

Read any board discipline entries on the Trust ReportWhy this matters: Discipline is evidence, not a score — understand what happened and when.
Note thin data or unmatched entity fieldsWhy this matters: Missing links are not proof of fraud, but they mean you should ask more questions.

3. Request insurance evidence

Request a current general liability certificate of insurance (COI)Why this matters: A COI is a starting point — verify coverage dates and limits for your project.
Understand workers’ comp status or exemption claimsWhy this matters: Exemptions exist in Florida; still clarify who is on site and how injuries are covered.
Verify certificate details with the carrier when possibleWhy this matters: Altered certificates are rare but costly — confirmation reduces risk.

4. Confirm written scope matches your Scope Builder output

Every bid prices the same included / excluded listWhy this matters: Price gaps often come from silent exclusions, not craftsmanship.Open Scope Builder →
Allowances list dollar amounts and what is out of scopeWhy this matters: TBD allowances make low bids look cheaper than they are.

5. Get multiple written bids

Collect 2–4 written estimates on the same scopeWhy this matters: One bid has no baseline; apples-to-apples comparison needs a few proposals.Compare bids →

6. Clarify deposit and payment schedule

Deposit amount, timing, and refundability are written downWhy this matters: Large deposits before permits/materials are a common caution pattern.Analyze a quote →
Progress payments match completed work / inspectionsWhy this matters: Paying far ahead of completed stages increases loss risk if work stalls.

7. Confirm permit responsibility

Who pulls permits and schedules inspections is explicitWhy this matters: Ambiguity here causes delays and compliance gaps.

8. Confirm change-order process

Changes require written approval with price and schedule impactWhy this matters: Verbal extras are a frequent source of disputes.

9. Confirm warranty terms

Workmanship and manufacturer warranties are in writingWhy this matters: Know what is covered, for how long, and who responds to callbacks.

10. Avoid common red-flag patterns

No pressure to sign immediately or “today only” pricing without review timeWhy this matters: Rush tactics reduce your ability to verify license, insurance, and scope.
Contractor will provide a license number and allow verificationWhy this matters: Refusal to share a license number is a serious caution pattern.
There will be a written contract — not cash-only handshake termsWhy this matters: Written terms protect both parties when something changes.
Payments go to the business entity — not personal name only (when applicable)Why this matters: Entity mismatch can complicate recourse and insurance claims.
No “cash discount if we skip the permit” offersWhy this matters: Unpermitted work can affect insurance, resale, and safety.

Red flag guide

Patterns to watch for — not proof of wrongdoing by any named party.

Large deposit before permits or materials
Ask for a schedule of values and what the deposit covers. Large prepaid sums increase loss risk.
Pressure to sign immediately
Legitimate contractors generally allow time to verify license, insurance, and compare written scope.
Refusal to provide a license number
You should be able to verify status independently on official sources or Trust Hub.
No written contract
Handshake deals leave scope, payment, and warranty undefined when problems arise.
Payment to personal name only
Prefer payment to the licensed business entity named on the proposal and COI when possible.
“Cash discount if no permit”
Skipping required permits can create code, insurance, and resale problems. Treat as a strong caution pattern.

Educational research tools only — not legal advice, not a bid validation, and not an endorsement of any contractor. Conceptual planning ranges are not formal appraisals. Always verify license status, insurance, and written contract terms yourself before hiring.

Before you sign

1. Verify identity & license

2. Review discipline / caution signals

3. Request insurance evidence

4. Confirm written scope matches your Scope Builder output

5. Get multiple written bids

6. Clarify deposit and payment schedule

7. Confirm permit responsibility

8. Confirm change-order process

9. Confirm warranty terms

10. Avoid common red-flag patterns

Red flag guide

Questions if anything is still unclear

Scope & materials

Schedule & payments

Permits & inspections

Insurance & business entity

Change orders & warranty

Project-specific risks