Local Guide · General and residential contractors · Miami, FL
What should Miami homeowners know before hiring a general contractor?
The City of Miami limits owner-builder permits and requires licensed contractors for major trades. Here is how that works and how Florida law protects you.
Check the contractor's license and class on DBPR. In the City of Miami, owner-builder permits are limited to owner-occupied one- and two-family homes, require a notarized disclosure, an interview and a test, and roofing, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and gas permits go only to licensed contractors.
Key facts for Miami, FL
- The City of Miami limits owner-builder permits to owner-occupied one-family and two-family homes.
- Miami owner-builders must own the property in their own name, not through a business entity.
- Miami requires owner-builders to sign and notarize a disclosure statement, complete an in-person interview and pass a multiple-choice test.
- In Miami, roofing, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and gas permits may only be issued to appropriately licensed contractors.
- Miami will not issue a homeowner permit to cover illegal work; fixing a violation requires a licensed general or specialty contractor.
- Florida's recovery fund covers claims only when the violation was committed by a licensee.
How do owner-builder permits work in Miami?
The City of Miami issues owner-builder permits only for owner-occupied one- and two-family homes owned in your own name. You must sign and notarize a disclosure statement and complete an interview and a multiple-choice test at the Miami Riverside Center.
Roofing, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and gas permits go only to licensed contractors.
What if the home has an existing violation?
Miami won't issue a homeowner permit to cover illegal work. Correcting a violation requires a licensed general or specialty contractor, permits for all the work, and possibly an engineer's, architect's or special inspector's report for concealed work.
How does Florida law protect you?
Check the license and class on DBPR. Make sure your contract includes the construction lien notice (Florida Statutes 713.015), and collect lien releases before paying. The recovery fund only covers violations by licensees (489.141).
How to choose a provider in Miami, FL
- Check the license and class on DBPR.
- Confirm the contract includes the construction lien notice.
- Collect lien releases before each payment.
- Confirm who pulls the permits.
- Never pay the full price up front.
- If acting as owner-builder, know the local trade rules.
Questions people ask
Can I be my own contractor in Miami?
For an owner-occupied one- or two-family home you own in your own name, if you pass the city's interview and test and sign the disclosure.
Can a Miami owner-builder pull an electrical permit?
No. Miami issues roofing, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and gas permits only to licensed contractors.
Can I fix an existing violation myself in Miami?
No. Miami requires a licensed general or specialty contractor to correct violations.
How do I check a Miami contractor?
Search the license and class on DBPR's license search.
What if my contractor is unlicensed?
Florida's recovery fund covers only violations committed by licensees.
Sources
This guide was written by our editorial team from the public sources listed above. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm licensing and terms directly with any provider.
