How to start a Construction Company in Florida

To start a construction company in Florida, you need to satisfy the state and county requirements before you can pull permits, and legally engage in construction.

Register with Sunbiz

Go on this link to follow how to register a Company with Sunbiz. Under "Filling Services" you will find the links to New Florida LLC and New Florida Profit Corporation.

New Florida LLC

Florida Limited Liability Company according to the minimum requirements for filing the Articles of Organization. Your Articles of Organization may need to include additional items that specifically apply to your situation. The Division of Corporations strongly recommends that legal counsel reviews all documents before submission. The Division of Corporations is an administrative filing agency. We cannot provide any legal, accounting, or tax advice.

New Florida Profit Corporation

Incorporating in Florida Profit Corporation according to the minimum requirements for filing the Articles of Incorporation. Your Articles of Incorporation may need to include additional items that specifically apply to your situation. The Division of Corporations strongly recommends that legal counsel reviews all documents before submission. The Division of Corporations is an administrative filing agency. We cannot provide any legal, accounting, or tax advice.

Obtain an Occupational License

You must go to your local tax collector and ask to get an occupational license. Note: Some counties require you to have your Certificate of Competency before obtaining your occupational license.

Obtain a Certificate of Competency (Contractor’s License)

If you are going to apply for a certified contractor's license, it allows you to work anywhere in Florida. Below are the steps on how to get your contractors license:

1. There are two exams you must pass to become a Certified Contractor in Florida. The first one makes up the trade portion, the second exam is business and finance.
2. We offer classes online (unlimited access to practice questions and lecture videos), and although not mandatory, in-person review classes are offered in Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, and Fort Myers all year round. We also offer books of all Contractor Pre Exams, we have the option of the book package or individuals.

Requirements for obtaining a Contractor’s License:

• Have experience in the trade you must have experience in the trade.
• Age: You must be 18 years old to apply to be a general contractor.
• Exam: Must take and pass the Florida licensecertification examinations (Contract Administration, Project Management, and Business). Please note that the application process cannot be started until the exams are taken and passing scores are obtained.
• Financial and Credit: Applicants will need to provide proof of financial stability and responsibility by submitting personal credit reports. Credit reports must include a FICO derived credit score and indicate that local, state and federal records have been searched.
• Fingerprints: An applicant must have a background check as part of the licensing process.
• Insurance: Applicants are required to attest that they have obtained public liability and property damage insurance in the amounts determined by Board rule. Applicants are also required to obtain worker's compensation insurance or obtain an exemption from worker’s compensation insurance within 30 days of issuance of their license.
• Fill out and Submit the Applications

Workers Comp and General Liability Insurance

You must obtain public liability and property damage insurance in the amounts determined by the rule of the Construction Industry Licensing Board. The following are the minimum amounts required for General Liability insurance. General and Building Contractors - $300,000 public liability; $50,000 property damage All other categories - $100,000 public liability; $25,000 property damage. You must also obtain workers’ compensation insurance or file for an exemption with the Division of Workers’ Compensation.

Register with the Countie's Building Department

The jurisdiction would be to apply in any county or state department you are in to continue your contractor career.