Starting out

Can you start a construction company in Florida without a license?

You know the work. Maybe you've run crews for someone else for years. Now you want your own company, but you don't hold a Florida contractor license yet. Here is what you can do without one, what you can't, and how to start legally while you work toward your own.

General information about Florida law, not legal advice. Speak to a Florida construction attorney before entering any qualifying arrangement.

The short answer

Yes, if the company has a licensed qualifier. Florida lets a business contract through a licensed contractor who serves as its qualifying agent. Without one, the company is limited to small jobs under $2,500 and work Florida doesn't license at all, like painting and flooring.

What you can do without a contractor license

Small jobs under $2,500 total for labor and materials, as long as they're minor, aren't part of a bigger job, aren't split up to stay under the limit, and you don't advertise as a contractor (Statute 489.103).
Work Florida doesn't license as contracting, such as painting, flooring, cabinets, tile, pressure washing and handyman work. Cities and counties can't require their own license for these either (Statute 489.117).
That stops the moment a job crosses into licensed work, like electrical, plumbing, roofing or structural changes.

The owner-builder exemption doesn't help here. It covers owners working on their own property, not a company working for customers.

The two legal ways in

Bring on a licensed qualifier now. You run the business, and the qualifier supervises the licensed work.
Get your own license. To sit for a certified license you generally need about four years of combined experience and education, including at least one year as a foreman (Statute 489.111).
Many owners do both: start under a qualifier and become their own qualifier later.

What it costs

Three costs, kept apart.

Paid to the qualifier

Their pay

Agreed between you and the qualifier. It depends on how many jobs you run, how organized your company is, and how much supervision you need. We don't publish a range, because the number only means something once both sides know the work.

Paid to the state

Filing fees

The state's own filing fees, paid to the state licensing department directly.

Paid to QualiFind

Only after a yes

Nothing to apply or to be on the platform. You only pay once we've found you a qualifier who has said yes, and if the introduction doesn't happen, you can have it back.

What happens to jobs signed without a qualifier

This is the risk most companies don't hear about until it costs them. If a company signs a job without a qualifier licensed for that kind of work, Florida says the company cannot enforce that contract (Statute 489.128).

It can't take the customer to court to get paid.
It has no lien rights on the property and no claim against a payment bond.
Unlicensed contracting is a first-degree misdemeanor, and a third-degree felony for a repeat offense or during a declared state of emergency, such as after a hurricane (Statute 489.127).

Warning signs

A contractor who offers to "rent" you their license number for a monthly check, with no involvement in your jobs. That is illegal for both of you under Statute 489.127.
Anyone who says yes before asking about your crews, your insurance or the jobs you run.
No written agreement. If the duties aren't written down, neither side is protected.

Get started

Tell us about your company.

Licensed contractors in most trades have already applied to QualiFind as qualifiers. Every qualifier's license is checked against the state's records, and you're matched by trade, area and the way you work.

Start your application

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Can I do jobs under $2,500 without a license?+

Yes, if the job is minor, isn't part of a larger job, isn't split up to get under the limit, and you don't advertise yourself as a contractor.

Do I need a license for painting or flooring?+

No state contractor license, and cities and counties can't require their own for these jobs. Once the work crosses into a licensed trade, it changes.

Can I become my own qualifier?+

Yes, once you're licensed. For a certified license you generally need about four years of experience and education combined, including a year as a foreman.

Do I need to set up my company first?+

Yes. The qualifier qualifies a specific company, so register it with the Florida Division of Corporations first.

How long does it take?+

Plan in weeks, not days. You need to find the right person, both sides need to do real checking, the terms have to be agreed, and the qualifier has to be filed with the state.

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