Hiring the wrong general contractor in Miami can turn your dream renovation into a nightmare — delays, cost overruns, poor workmanship, and sometimes contractors who disappear with your deposit. With hundreds of contractors operating in South Florida, knowing what to look for is essential. Here are the 7 most important things to check before signing any contract.
1. Verify Their Florida State License
In Florida, general contractors must hold a state-issued Certified General Contractor (CGC) license to legally perform construction work. This is non-negotiable. You can verify any contractor’s license status on the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) website at myfloridalicense.com.
Be wary of contractors who claim to be “registered” rather than “certified” — registered contractors are only licensed to work in specific counties, while certified contractors can work statewide. Also verify that the license is active and has no disciplinary history.
2. Check Their Insurance — Both General Liability and Workers’ Comp
Never hire a contractor who cannot provide proof of current general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor doesn’t have workers’ comp, you could be held liable. Ask for certificates of insurance and verify they’re current — not expired.
3. Ask for Local References and Look at Real Projects
Any reputable general contractor in Miami should be able to provide at least 3–5 references from recent local projects similar to yours. Call those references and ask specific questions: Was the project completed on time? Did the final cost match the estimate? How did they handle problems? Would you hire them again?
Better yet, ask to see a completed project in person if possible. Photos can be manipulated — seeing real work gives you a much better sense of quality.
4. Get at Least 3 Detailed Written Quotes
Never accept a verbal estimate or a one-page quote. A professional contractor will provide a detailed written proposal that breaks down labor, materials, timeline, and payment schedule. Get at least three competing quotes — not just for price comparison, but to understand what each contractor is actually proposing to do.
Be very cautious of quotes significantly lower than others — this often signals a contractor who will cut corners, use inferior materials, or add charges later through change orders.
5. Understand Who Will Actually Do the Work
Some general contractors are essentially project managers who subcontract all actual work to other companies. This isn’t always bad, but it can create accountability issues when problems arise. Ask directly: “Who will be on my jobsite every day? Do you use subcontractors or your own employees?”
IG Construction uses our own in-house team for all projects — no subcontractors. This means one point of contact, consistent quality standards, and full accountability from start to finish.
6. Confirm They Pull the Proper Permits
In Miami-Dade, building permits are required for most structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work. A contractor who offers to “skip the permit” to save money is a major red flag. Unpermitted work can result in stop-work orders, fines, required demolition, and serious complications when selling your property.
Always confirm your contractor will pull all required permits and that inspections will be completed properly. Ask to see the permit before work begins.
7. Review the Contract Carefully Before Signing
A professional construction contract should clearly specify: scope of work, materials to be used, start and completion dates, payment schedule, change order process, warranty terms, and dispute resolution procedures. Never pay more than 10–15% upfront — large upfront deposits are a common scam tactic.
Why Miami Homeowners Choose IG Construction
IG Construction is a fully licensed, insured, and bonded general contractor serving Miami-Dade and Broward County. We’re a family-owned company with over a decade of experience in kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, concrete restoration, flooring, framing, and home extensions.
- Florida CGC licensed and fully insured
- In-house team — no subcontractors
- Transparent pricing with detailed written quotes
- All permits pulled and managed by us
- 5-star reviews on Google
Call (305) 686-8639 for a free consultation, or submit your project online and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.