Restoration Hub FL routes calls to contractors in licensed Florida networks, and those networks require a valid Florida license to participate. What this site cannot do is verify individual contractor license status, insurance limits, or work quality in real time on every call. This page explains what the networks require, what we will not claim, and the five checks every homeowner should run before authorising any restoration work.
The four networks this site works with — Service Direct, Mr. Remodel, Lead Smart, and Exclusive Live Calls, are commercial pay-per-call networks operating across multiple home service verticals. Participation in a Florida-focused campaign requires a valid Florida contractor license. That requirement filters out unlicensed operators at the network level. It does not guarantee that a contractor's license is current at the moment of any individual call, that their insurance is active, or that their work meets any particular quality standard.
Network participation requires a contractor license issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. General contractors operate under Florida Statute 489.105. Mold assessors and remediators operate under Florida Statute 468.8411. Both are searchable in the DBPR database at myfloridalicense.com.
Contractors in the networks are active businesses, not individuals operating without a registered entity. This is a baseline requirement for network participation, not a quality guarantee.
Contractors are matched to calls based on their declared Florida service area. A contractor in the Tampa Bay network covers Hillsborough, Pinellas, and adjacent counties. A contractor in the South Florida network covers Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties.
This site does not query the DBPR database on every call to confirm that the routed contractor's license is current at that moment. Licenses can lapse, be suspended, or be revoked between network enrollment and any individual call. The DBPR database at myfloridalicense.com reflects current license status in real time. Homeowners should check it before authorising work.
This site does not verify that any contractor carries general liability insurance, workers' compensation coverage, or any specific policy limits. Florida Statute 440.10 requires workers' compensation coverage for construction contractors with more than one employee, but the site does not confirm compliance for individual contractors. Ask the contractor directly for a certificate of insurance before work begins.
This site does not claim that any contractor in its networks holds IICRC certification. IICRC certification — S500 for water damage, S520 for mold — is a professional credential held by individuals, not companies, and is not a licensing requirement in Florida. Some contractors in the networks hold it, some do not. Asking the contractor directly is the only way to confirm.
This site does not guarantee the quality of any contractor's work. The referral model connects homeowners with contractors. The work, the contract, the warranty, and any dispute resolution are between the homeowner and the contractor.
These apply to any contractor you reach through this site or anywhere else.
The DBPR license search confirms whether the license is active, what type it covers, and whether any disciplinary actions have been filed. A licensed general contractor carries a CGC or CBC prefix. A licensed mold remediator or assessor carries a license under Florida Statute 468.8411. The search is free and takes under a minute: myfloridalicense.com.
Ask for a current certificate of general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. A legitimate contractor provides this without hesitation. If a contractor refuses or delays, that is a material concern. Confirm the policy is current and the coverage limits are appropriate for the scope of work.
Florida law does not require a written contract for all residential restoration work, but having scope, pricing, and timeline in writing protects you in any insurance claim dispute or contractor disagreement. For insurance claims, the written scope is what the adjuster works from. Request it before equipment is placed or materials are removed.
For water damage jobs, IICRC S500 compliance and daily moisture logs are what Florida adjusters use to evaluate the claim. For mold jobs under Florida Statute 468.8411, a licensed assessor must write the protocol and a separate licensed assessor must conduct clearance. Ask the contractor which role they are filling and who is handling the other.
After major storm events including Hurricane Helene in 2024, contractors from out of state enter the Florida market without Florida licenses. Florida Statute 489.105 requires a Florida license for contracting work in Florida. An out-of-state license does not satisfy this requirement regardless of how it is presented. If the license number does not verify at myfloridalicense.com, do not authorise work.
Florida Statute 489.105 governs general contractor licensing in Florida. A Certified General Contractor (CGC) license is valid statewide. A Registered General Contractor (CBC) license is valid in the counties or municipalities where it is registered. Restoration and water damage work falls under the general contractor framework. The DBPR issues and maintains the license database. Complaints against licensed contractors can be filed with the DBPR at myfloridalicense.com.
Mold assessment and mold remediation are separately licensed under Florida Statute 468.8411. A licensed Mold Assessor evaluates the property, identifies mold species, and writes the remediation protocol. A licensed Mold Remediator carries out the physical work according to that protocol. The same company cannot hold both licenses for the same job — the assessor and remediator must be independent of each other. A separate licensed assessor conducts clearance testing after remediation is complete. Verify both the assessor and remediator licenses before any mold work begins. For questions about how these statutes apply to a specific situation, consult a Florida attorney.
Go to myfloridalicense.com and use the Verify a License tool. Enter the contractor's name or license number. The result shows license type, status (active, suspended, or revoked), expiration date, and any disciplinary history. A general contractor's license begins with CGC or CBC. A mold remediator or assessor license is listed under the mold licensing category under Florida Statute 468.8411.
No. Florida Statute 489.105 requires a valid Florida contractor license for contracting work performed in Florida. Out-of-state licenses do not satisfy this requirement. After major storm events, out-of-state contractors enter the Florida market and some represent their license as valid in Florida when it is not. If a contractor cannot provide a Florida license number that verifies at myfloridalicense.com, do not authorise work. For specific legal questions, consult a Florida attorney.
This site does not verify workers' compensation coverage for individual contractors. Florida Statute 440.10 requires workers' compensation coverage for construction contractors with more than one employee, but compliance is the contractor's responsibility and the site does not confirm it per call. Ask the contractor for a current certificate of workers' compensation coverage before work begins. If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor does not have coverage, liability questions can arise — a Florida attorney is the right resource for those specifics.
For licensing complaints, file with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at myfloridalicense.com. For insurance disputes, contact your insurance agent and the contractor's insurer directly. For contract disputes, a Florida attorney can advise on your options under Florida contract law. Restoration Hub FL is a referral service and has no authority over the contractor or the work once the call is connected.
The checks above take under ten minutes. Run them before authorising work, and the call itself is the fastest part of the process.
Call (800) 555-0192This site earns a fee when a homeowner calls through a tracked number. Calls are routed to contractors in third-party networks. Restoration Hub FL is not a contractor and does not employ or guarantee the work of any contractor. Full disclosure · Editorial standards