How to Choose a Licensed Contractor in Lee County, Florida

Why Contractor Licensing Matters in Lee County

Hiring an unlicensed contractor in Lee County is one of the most expensive mistakes a homeowner can make. Unlicensed work can result in fines, failed inspections, insurance claim denials, and having to tear out and redo completed work. Florida takes contractor licensing seriously, and as a homeowner, verifying credentials before signing a contract protects both your investment and your safety.

Types of Contractor Licenses in Florida

Florida issues several types of contractor licenses through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR):

• Certified General Contractor (CGC): Can build or renovate any type of structure statewide.
• Certified Building Contractor (CBC): Can build or renovate commercial buildings up to three stories and residential buildings of any size, statewide.
• Registered Contractor: Licensed at the county level rather than the state level. Valid only in the county where registered.
• Specialty Contractors: Licensed for specific trades like roofing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or pool construction.

For whole-home renovations, additions, and major remodeling projects, you want a CGC or CBC license holder. Specialty contractors handle individual trade work under their own licenses.

How to Verify a Contractor’s License

You can verify any Florida contractor license in minutes:

• Visit myfloridalicense.com and search by name or license number.
• Confirm the license is active and in good standing.
• Check for any disciplinary actions, complaints, or violations.
• Verify the contractor’s insurance status, including general liability and workers’ compensation.

For Lee County specifically, you can also check the Lee County Contractor Licensing office to confirm local registration and any open permits associated with the contractor.

Red Flags to Watch For

Protect yourself by watching for these warning signs:

• No written contract: Florida law requires a written contract for any project over $2,500. Walk away from anyone who wants to work on a handshake.
• Asking for more than 10% upfront: Florida Statute 489.126 limits initial deposits to 10% of the contract price or the cost of materials for the first phase, whichever is less.
• No permit plan: If a contractor tells you permits are not needed for structural, electrical, or plumbing work, they are either uninformed or cutting corners.
• Cannot provide a license number: Every licensed contractor should share their license number readily. It should appear on their contract, business card, and website.
• No physical address: A legitimate contractor has a verifiable business location and can provide references from recent local projects.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring

When interviewing contractors for your project, ask these questions:

• What is your state license number and type?
• Are you insured for general liability and workers’ compensation?
• Will you pull all required permits for this project?
• Can you provide three references from recent Lee County projects?
• What is your estimated timeline, and how do you handle delays?

Review the full list of services a qualified contractor should be able to discuss with you confidently.

Alliance Construction is a licensed building contractor (CBC1268590) serving Lee County and all of Southwest Florida. We are fully insured, pull all required permits, and welcome you to verify our credentials. Call (239) 244-4341 to get a free project estimate.

About the Author

Natan Collodetti

Natan Collodetti is the Owner of Alliance Construction & Renovation, a licensed general contractor (CBC1268590) serving Fort Myers and Southwest Florida. With hands-on experience in kitchen remodeling, bathroom renovations, and whole-home transformations, Natan leads a team dedicated to quality craftsmanship and transparent communication. Alliance Construction operates from their Fort Myers showroom at 11751 Metro Pkwy STE 1. PHP: 2026-02-14 20:47:37 [notice X 0][/home/alliancecon/public_html/staging/wp-content/plugins/elementor/core/experiments/manager.php::132] version_compare(): Passing null to parameter #2 ($version2) of type string is deprecated [array ( 'trace' => ' #0: Elementor\Core\Logger\Manager -> shutdown() ', )]