IWSM
    Contractor Vetting Guide 2026

    How to Choose an Impact Window Contractor in Florida: License Verification, Red Flags, and What to Put in Every Contract

    Florida is full of unlicensed "storm chasers" and underinsured contractors. This guide shows you exactly how to verify credentials, spot scams, and protect yourself before you sign anything.

    Get Your Free Estimate(754) 303-7130

    Quick Verification Checklist (Do Before You Sign)

    □Request certificate of insurance (general liability + workers' comp)
    □Confirm permit coordination is included in the written scope — not handed back to you
    □Get written contract with product FPA/NOA numbers specified
    □Check Google reviews and BBB complaints
    □Get at least 2–3 competing quotes for comparison
    □Confirm payment terms: 50% down, 50% on completion
    □Ask for references from similar projects in your area
    □Ask how many impact window projects they've completed in your county
    □Get both warranties in writing — manufacturer product + labor
    □Confirm your single point of contact from measure to final inspection

    Step 1: How Florida Contractor Licensing Works — and How to Verify a License on DBPR

    Florida Building Code requires impact window installation to be permitted and inspected, and the state requires that contracting work be performed under a state-issued contractor license. An occupational license, an LLC registration, or a business card is not a contractor license. Because licensing is public record, any license number you are given in Florida can be checked yourself in under a minute — here's how the DBPR system works:

    DBPR License Verification: Step by Step

    1. 1.Go to myfloridalicense.com and click "Verify a License"
    2. 2.Select "Contractor" from the license type dropdown
    3. 3.Enter the contractor's license number (format: CBC1234567 or CGC1234567) or business name
    4. 4.Verify: Status = "Current, Active" | Expiration date is in the future | License type includes contracting authority
    5. 5.Check for any disciplinary actions, complaints, or license restrictions

    Valid License Types for Impact Window Installation

    • CGC — Certified General Contractor (full authority)
    • CBC — Certified Building Contractor (residential + commercial)
    • CCC — Certified Roofing Contractor (limited; not for windows)
    • RS — Certified Residential Specialty Contractor (residential only)
    • Registered Contractor — Valid in their specific county with local license

    What Is NOT a Valid Contractor License

    • ❌ Occupational license (local business tax receipt only)
    • ❌ LLC or corporation registration
    • ❌ Home Improvement retailer certification
    • ❌ Contractor's license from another state (not valid in FL)
    • ❌ Expired license ("Previously Licensed" status)
    • ❌ License in another name (must match the contracting entity)

    Step 2: Verify Insurance (Before They Touch Your Home)

    A contractor's license tells you they're qualified to do the work. Their insurance tells you you're protected if something goes wrong. Always request a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before work begins — any legitimate contractor will provide this without hesitation.

    Insurance TypeWhat It CoversMinimum You Should SeeRequired?
    General LiabilityDamage to your property during installation (broken tiles, cracked walls, etc.)$300,000Yes
    Workers' CompensationMedical bills and lost wages if a worker is injured on your propertyState statutory limitsYes (if employees)
    Commercial AutoVehicle accidents involving contractor's truck/van on your property$100,000Recommended

    Warning: If a worker without workers' comp falls off a ladder at your home, you could be sued for their medical bills and lost wages. This has happened to many Florida homeowners. Never let an uninsured contractor on your property — even for a quick measure.

    10 Red Flags: Walk Away Immediately

    🚩
    Won't provide proof of insurance

    A certificate of insurance takes minutes to produce and every serious company already has one on file. Hesitation means they're asking you to absorb their risk. Never let anyone work on your home without a current COI for general liability and workers' comp.

    🚩
    Expects you to file the permit yourself

    Florida Building Code requires impact window work to be permitted and inspected. If a company hands that back to you, you carry the paperwork, the liability, and the inspection risk. Permit coordination belongs in the written scope of work.

    🚩
    Wants full payment before any work

    Legitimate contractors ask 50% at signing, 50% at completion. Full payment upfront = risk of disappearance. Florida law limits advance payments; full upfront is a major red flag.

    🚩
    Cash-only business

    Reputable contractors accept checks, credit cards, ACH. Cash-only often means they're trying to avoid a paper trail — which you need for warranty claims and insurance discounts.

    🚩
    "This price is only good today"

    High-pressure same-day sales tactics indicate the contractor can't compete on merit. Take your time and get 2–3 quotes. Material and labor costs don't evaporate in 24 hours.

    🚩
    No physical address or PO Box only

    Legitimate companies have a verifiable business address. Look them up on Google Maps. PO Box only or no address = they may be operating out of a truck and won't be there for warranty issues.

    🚩
    Vague or verbal quote

    Without a written quote specifying product brand, FPA number, and complete scope, you have no protection if they deliver inferior windows. Everything must be in writing.

    🚩
    No reviews or recent reviews only

    Check Google, BBB, and Houzz. A company with 3 reviews from 2 weeks ago is a red flag. A company with 50+ reviews over 3+ years has a track record. Look for detailed reviews mentioning permits and inspections.

    🚩
    Can't provide an FPA or NOA number

    The impact windows must have a valid FPA or NOA certification. If the contractor can't tell you the exact product FPA number, they either don't know what they're selling or it's not certified.

    🚩
    Door-to-door after a storm (storm chaser)

    Storm chasers flood South Florida after major hurricanes offering quick deals, then disappear long before warranty season. Never hire someone who shows up unsolicited after a storm — check their track record in your county, get competing quotes, and take your time even if they pressure you.

    12 Questions to Ask Before Hiring

    1
    "Who is my single point of contact from quote to final inspection?"
    Why: One name, one phone number. Accountability is what you're actually buying
    2
    "Can you provide a current certificate of insurance (COI) for general liability and workers' comp?"
    Why: Must see before signing — not after
    3
    "Is permit coordination included, and what exactly does it cover?"
    Why: The answer should cover documentation, engineering and municipal submission — in writing, inside the scope
    4
    "What exact brand, model, and FPA/NOA number are the windows you're proposing?"
    Why: Exact product specs in writing protect you
    5
    "Do the windows include Low-E glass?"
    Why: Critical for energy performance in Florida
    6
    "What is your payment schedule?"
    Why: Standard answer: 50% signing, 50% completion
    7
    "What does your installation warranty cover and for how long?"
    Why: Manufacturer warranty and labor warranty are separate
    8
    "How long have you been doing impact window installations in Florida?"
    Why: Local experience with HVHZ code matters
    9
    "Can you provide references from 2–3 similar projects in this county?"
    Why: Call references and ask specifically about permit, inspection, and timeline
    10
    "How will you handle any inspection failures or installation defects?"
    Why: Legitimate contractors fix it at no cost; don't accept vague answers
    11
    "What is your estimated timeline from signing to final inspection?"
    Why: Compare this to realistic industry times: 2–3 weeks material + 1–2 days install + 1 week inspection
    12
    "What happens to my existing windows — who removes them and handles disposal?"
    Why: Debris removal must be in the contract scope; confirm who's responsible

    What Must Be in Your Impact Window Contract

    A handshake deal or a one-page quote is not enough. Here's what a professional impact window contract must include:

    ✓The company's full legal business name and insurance policy numbers
    ✓A single named point of contact responsible for the job from measurement to final inspection
    ✓Homeowner's name, property address, and project description
    ✓Exact product brand, model name, and FPA or NOA number for each window type
    ✓Quantity and size (width × height) of each opening
    ✓Total contract price with itemized breakdown
    ✓Payment schedule (50% at signing, 50% at completion is standard)
    ✓Permit coordination: who prepares the documentation, engineering and municipal submission
    ✓Scope of work: removal of old windows, installation, sealant, cleanup, debris disposal
    ✓Estimated start date and completion date
    ✓What happens if product arrives damaged or is wrong size
    ✓Warranty terms: manufacturer warranty (years and what's covered) + labor warranty (duration)
    ✓Dispute resolution process
    ✓Final inspection and CO/certificate responsibility
    ✓Your right to cancel within 3 days (Florida law on home solicitation contracts)

    Why Florida Homeowners Choose Vieser Construction

    🏛️

    Full Project Coordination

    Vieser Construction coordinates your complete project — full insurance coverage, every permit submitted, and the final inspection closed out.

    📋

    Complete Permit Coordination

    We provide complete permit coordination for your project, including the necessary documentation, engineering and municipal submission across Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. You receive the Certificate of Completion — the document your insurance company needs.

    💼

    Windows Stock Market Pricing

    We sell PGT WinGuard, ESW, and Mr. Glass through Windows Stock Market at 30–60% below retail pricing. Full product spec, FPA/NOA numbers in every written quote.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do I verify a contractor's license in Florida?↓
    Go to the Florida DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) online verification portal at myfloridalicense.com. Enter the contractor's license number, business name, or individual name. You should see their license type (Certified General Contractor, Certified Building Contractor, etc.), license status (must say 'Current, Active'), expiration date, and any disciplinary actions or complaints. This search is free and takes 30 seconds.
    What type of license does an impact window installer need in Florida?↓
    In Florida, impact window installation requires at minimum a Certified Building Contractor (CBC), Certified General Contractor (CGC), or Certified Specialty Contractor in windows/doors. The license must be issued by the Florida DBPR and show 'Current, Active' status. A local business tax receipt or LLC registration does NOT authorize contracting work. Always verify the license number on the DBPR portal.
    What insurance does a Florida impact window contractor need?↓
    A properly insured Florida impact window contractor needs: (1) General Liability insurance — minimum $300,000, which covers property damage during installation; and (2) Workers' Compensation insurance — required for any contractor with employees. If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor has no workers' comp, YOU may be liable. Always request current certificates of insurance (COI) before any work begins.
    Is it legal for a Florida contractor to ask the homeowner to pull the permit?↓
    Florida Building Code requires impact window work to be permitted and inspected, and permits are pulled by a licensed contractor unless the homeowner files as an owner-builder. If a company hands the permit back to you, you are the one carrying the paperwork, the liability and the inspection risk: if the work fails inspection, it is your problem to solve. Permit coordination should be part of the written scope of work, not something you discover you own after signing.
    How much deposit can a Florida contractor legally request?↓
    Florida law limits contractor deposits to 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less — UNLESS the contractor has obtained a performance bond. In practice, most legitimate Florida impact window contractors ask for 50% at contract signing and 50% at completion, which is standard industry practice and above the legal minimum. The key is never paying 100% upfront. If a contractor demands full payment before starting, walk away.
    What should be in an impact window installation contract?↓
    A proper impact window contract should include: exact product brand, model, and FPA/NOA number; quantity and size of each opening; total price with payment schedule (50/50 is standard); scope of work (who removes old windows, who disposes of debris); permit coordination — who prepares the documentation, engineering and municipal submission; timeline with start and expected completion dates; warranty terms for both products and labor; what happens if installed product doesn't match spec; the company's full legal name and insurance information; and a single named point of contact responsible for the job from measurement to final inspection.

    Get a Quote Backed by Full Project Coordination

    Vieser Construction has completed impact window installations across Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. We provide written quotes with exact FPA numbers, we coordinate the complete permitting process, and we back the work with a full labor warranty.

    Request Written Quote(754) 303-7130

    Full project coordination · Full insurance · Written contracts · Permits included

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