Hiring a Contractor
Are you a licensed and insured contractor in Florida?
Yes, absolutely. Domi Homes is a fully licensed Certified Residential Contractor in the State of Florida (License No. CRC1335161). We also carry comprehensive general liability and workers' compensation insurance. You can verify our license status anytime on the Florida DBPR website. We believe this is the minimum requirement for any professional contractor and are happy to provide our documentation upon request.
What are the risks of hiring an unlicensed contractor?
Hiring an unlicensed contractor in Florida is extremely risky and can lead to severe consequences for you, the homeowner. These risks include:
- Illegal Work & Liability: Unlicensed contractors cannot legally pull building permits. This means any work they do is unpermitted, which can result in fines from your local municipality, orders to tear down the work, and major problems when you try to sell your home.
- No Insurance: An unlicensed individual almost certainly does not carry the proper general liability or workers' compensation insurance, placing all the financial risk on you.
- No Recourse: If they perform shoddy work or abandon your project, you have no recourse through the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund, which is only available for disputes with licensed contractors.
- Poor Quality: They are not accountable to any state board for the quality of their work, often leading to cut corners, unsafe practices, and costly repairs down the line.
Why is it critical for my contractor to be insured?
Insurance protects you from financial disaster. There are two crucial types of insurance your contractor must have:
1. General Liability Insurance: This protects your property. If a contractor accidentally causes a water leak that ruins your floors or damages your property in any way, their general liability insurance covers the cost of repairs. Without it, you would have to sue them or file a claim on your own homeowner's insurance, which could raise your premiums or get your policy dropped.
2. Workers' Compensation Insurance: This protects people. If a worker is injured on your property—for example, by falling off a ladder—workers' compensation covers their medical bills and lost wages. If the contractor does not have this coverage, you, the homeowner, could be held personally liable and sued for those costs. Always ask for a Certificate of Insurance and verify that the policies are active.
What are some warning signs of a bad contractor?
It's important to be cautious during the hiring process. Here are some common red flags to watch out for:
- Asks for a very large upfront deposit (more than 10-20%) or demands to be paid entirely in cash.
- Is hesitant or unable to provide their license number and proof of insurance.
- Uses high-pressure sales tactics to get you to sign a contract immediately.
- Provides a vague or verbal-only estimate without a detailed, written scope of work and itemized costs.
- Suggests you don't need a permit for a project that clearly requires one, like structural changes or additions.
Our Straightforward Process
We've simplified the construction journey into four clear steps to ensure your project runs smoothly and transparently from start to finish.
- 1. Consult & Scope: We listen to your vision and define the project goals.
- 2. Design & Budget: We finalize plans and provide a detailed, line-item budget.
- 3. Permits & Build: We handle all paperwork and manage the construction.
- 4. Handoff & Warranty: We walk you through the results and stand by our work.
Project & Process Questions
How do you handle project budgeting and payments?
We believe in full transparency. After our initial consultation, we provide a detailed, line-item estimate so you can see exactly where your money is going. We use a fixed-price contract, which means the price we agree upon is the price you pay, barring any client-requested changes. Payments are scheduled based on project milestones (e.g., foundation poured, framing complete), not arbitrary dates. With each payment, we can provide lien waivers from subcontractors to protect you from claims against your property.
How long will my project take?
The timeline varies greatly depending on the project's scope, jurisdiction, and complexity. Key factors include the local building department's permit processing time, material lead times (e.g., for custom windows or cabinets), and subcontractor schedules. A typical bathroom remodel might take 3-5 weeks of construction, while a major kitchen renovation could be 6-10 weeks. A full custom home build usually takes between 12 to 18 months from the initial design meeting to move-in day. Once we finalize your project scope, we will provide you with a detailed construction schedule that outlines each phase.
Who handles the building permits?
We handle the entire permitting process for you. This includes preparing and submitting all necessary architectural and engineering documents to the local building department and managing all required inspections (e.g., foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, final) throughout the construction process. Our experience with local municipalities helps ensure the process is as smooth and efficient as possible.
What happens if we want to make a change during construction?
Changes are a normal part of any construction project. We handle them through a clear 'change order' process. We will document the requested change, provide a clear cost and timeline adjustment, and require your written approval before any new work begins. This ensures full transparency and prevents any surprises on your final invoice.
Do you offer a warranty on your work?
Yes. We stand behind our craftsmanship. Domi Homes provides a comprehensive warranty on our work, which covers both labor and materials. In Florida, this typically includes a one-year warranty on workmanship and materials, with longer warranties on specific components like the structure. We will provide you with all warranty details in writing as part of our contract.