General Contracting contractors in
Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
A public directory of general contracting contractor businesses serving greater Fort Lauderdale. Market data, licensing requirements, and cost benchmarks — updated continuously from public sources.
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Licensing Requirements
Licensing Requirements
Florida requires a state-issued license to operate as a General Contractor. Two primary license types: Certified General Contractor (CGC) — valid statewide, and Registered General Contractor — valid only in the jurisdiction where registered. To obtain a CGC license through the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB): applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a minimum of 4 years of proven construction experience (with at least 1 year in a supervisory role), pass the Florida State Contractor's Examination (Business and Finance exam plus the Contract Administration and Project Management exam, administered by Pearson VUE), submit a credit report, provide proof of general liability and workers' comp insurance, and pay applicable fees (currently around $309 for initial application). License renewal is required every two years on odd years; 14 hours of continuing education required per cycle, including 1 hour each on workplace safety, workers' comp, business practices, and wind mitigation. The CILB under the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) oversees all licensing.
Permit Requirements
In Fort Lauderdale, general contractors must pull permits for virtually all structural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work. The City of Fort Lauderdale Building Services Division handles permitting. Permits are required for new construction, additions, remodels affecting structural elements, roofing, window and door replacements, and any work exceeding $2,500 in value. Fort Lauderdale uses the ePlan system for electronic plan submission. Broward County also enforces the Florida Building Code (8th Edition as of 2024). Impact fees, zoning reviews, and flood zone compliance (much of Fort Lauderdale sits in FEMA flood zones) add layers. Contractors must be licensed and listed on the permit application. Unpermitted work in Fort Lauderdale carries fines and can trigger stop-work orders.
Inspection Schedule
Inspections are coordinated through Fort Lauderdale Building Services. Typical inspection sequence for a major renovation or new construction: (1) Foundation/footing inspection before concrete pour, (2) Rough framing inspection after framing is complete but before drywall, (3) Rough MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) inspections at rough-in stage, (4) Insulation inspection prior to drywall close-up, (5) Final inspections for each trade (electrical, plumbing, mechanical), (6) Final building inspection for Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion. Inspections must be scheduled 24 to 48 hours in advance via the city's online portal or phone. Failed inspections require correction and reinspection — reinspection fees apply after the second failure. Flood zone properties may require additional elevation certificate reviews.
Insurance Minimums
Florida statutes (Chapter 489) require licensed general contractors to carry: General Liability Insurance with a minimum of $300,000 per occurrence for residential work and $1,000,000 per occurrence for commercial work. Workers' Compensation Insurance is mandatory for any GC with employees — Florida has strict enforcement with no grace period exemptions for construction trades. Sole proprietors with zero employees may be exempt but must file a Certificate of Election to be Exempt with the state. Most commercial clients and project owners will require $1M to $2M general liability limits and umbrella policies in the $1M to $5M range. Surety bonds are not state-mandated but are frequently required by project owners and municipal contracts.
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Source status: unavailable · 7/18/2026
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Local market snapshot
Source: DoorBase, aggregated public ZIP-level data. Updated 8/17/2026.
How to Get Licensed
Verify Eligibility
Confirm you meet the baseline requirements: at least 18 years old, minimum 4 years of construction experience with at least 1 year in a supervisory or management capacity. Experience must be verifiable through employer letters, contracts, tax records, or affidavits. Review Florida Statute 489.111 for full eligibility criteria.
Register for State Exams
Register for the Florida State Contractor Licensing Exams through Pearson VUE. You must pass two exams: (1) Business and Finance, and (2) Contract Administration and Project Management (also called the Trade Knowledge exam for General Contractors). Study materials are available through providers like Contractor School (Fort Lauderdale area) and the NASCLA. Schedule your exam at a Pearson VUE testing center — there are multiple locations in Broward County.
Pass Both Exams
Complete and pass both the Business and Finance exam and the Contract Administration / Project Management exam. A score of 70 percent or higher is required on each. Exam results are valid for a limited period — check current DBPR guidelines on expiration windows. Failed sections can be retaken after a waiting period.
Obtain Required Insurance
Secure General Liability Insurance meeting Florida minimums ($300,000 per occurrence for residential; $1,000,000 for commercial) and Workers' Compensation Insurance if you have or plan to have employees. Get Certificates of Insurance ready from your carrier — these must be submitted with your license application. If operating as a sole proprietor with no employees, complete a Certificate of Election to be Exempt through the Florida Department of Financial Services if applicable.
Submit Application to DBPR / CILB
Submit your Certified General Contractor license application to the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) through the DBPR online licensing portal (MyFloridaLicense.com). Include: completed application form, exam score documentation, proof of experience (employer affidavits or documentation), personal credit report (from a DBPR-approved reporting agency), Certificates of Insurance, and the application fee (approximately $309 as of 2024 — verify current fees on the DBPR website). Applications are reviewed by the CILB at scheduled board meetings.
CILB Board Review and Approval
The Construction Industry Licensing Board reviews your application. Straightforward applications are often approved administratively. Applications with credit issues, criminal history disclosures, or incomplete documentation may be held for a formal board hearing. Processing time varies — typically 4 to 12 weeks. You will receive your license number upon approval.
Register with Local Jurisdiction (Fort Lauderdale)
Once your state CGC license is issued, register with the City of Fort Lauderdale Building Services Division if you plan to pull permits locally. Provide your state license number, proof of insurance, and any locally required registration fees. Set up an account in the city's ePlan electronic permitting system to enable online permit applications and inspections scheduling.
Maintain License — Continuing Education and Renewal
Florida CGC licenses renew every two years on odd-numbered years. You must complete 14 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle, including mandatory hours in workplace safety, workers' compensation, business practices, and wind mitigation. CE courses must be taken through DBPR-approved providers. Failure to renew on time results in a delinquent license status and additional fees. Track your renewal deadline through MyFloridaLicense.com.
About This Market
Fort Lauderdale's general contracting market is one of the most active in Florida — and that's not hype, that's the workload talking. With a coastal location, aging housing stock, constant hurricane exposure, and a steady influx of high-net-worth property owners and developers, demand for qualified GCs stays elevated year-round. The metro area sees heavy volume in residential remodels, luxury renovations, storm hardening projects, and commercial buildouts tied to hospitality and mixed-use development. Broward County's population growth and a tight housing inventory push owners toward renovation over relocation, keeping remodel pipelines full. Labor and material costs here run 10 to 20 percent above Florida inland markets — skilled subcontractors are in high demand, and South Florida's supply chain can be volatile after major storm events. Competition is real: Florida has approximately 4,126 licensed general contracting establishments statewide, and a dense concentration operates in the Fort Lauderdale to Miami corridor. You're not the only crew in town, and clients know it.
To work this market effectively, you need your Florida CGC license locked down before you touch a job — the DBPR and local building departments enforce this hard, and Broward County inspectors don't have patience for unlicensed operators. Get familiar with Fort Lauderdale's ePlan electronic permitting system early, because paper submittals are largely behind you. Flood zone compliance is non-negotiable here — a significant portion of Fort Lauderdale sits in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas, which affects foundation requirements, material specs, and elevation certificates. Hurricane season runs June through November, but your real surge comes right after it ends — October through April is when clients pull the trigger on projects they deferred. Price your bids to account for subcontractor availability in that window, because subs are stretched thin. Carry at minimum $1M in general liability and make sure your workers' comp is current — Florida's Department of Financial Services runs construction site audits and the fines are steep. Build relationships with your inspectors, pull every permit you should, and don't let a client talk you into skipping one. In Fort Lauderdale, unpermitted work creates liability that follows the contractor, not the owner.
- Number of licensed general contracting establishments in FL (4,126)U.S. Census Bureau — County Business Patterns, NAICS 236 (Construction of Buildings)
- Cost ranges for general contracting services in Fort LauderdaleMarket-based estimates derived from Broward County contractor bid data and regional construction cost indices — labeled as estimates
- Licensing requirements, exam structure, and renewal obligationsFlorida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) — Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB); Florida Statute Chapter 489
- Insurance minimums for general contractorsFlorida Statute Chapter 489 (Contracting) and Chapter 440 (Workers' Compensation); Florida Department of Financial Services
- Permit requirements in Fort LauderdaleCity of Fort Lauderdale Building Services Division; Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023)
- Flood zone compliance requirementsFEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP); City of Fort Lauderdale Floodplain Management regulations
- Peak season timingRegional contractor market estimate based on South Florida climate patterns and Broward County construction permit volume trends — labeled as estimate
- Average response time for quotesRegional contractor market estimate based on South Florida GC workload patterns — labeled as estimate
- Cost differential vs. inland Florida markets (10-20%)Regional construction cost estimate based on RSMeans Geographical Cost Index data for South Florida — labeled as estimate
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a general contractor charge for a home renovation in Fort Lauderdale?
In Fort Lauderdale, general contractors typically charge 15 to 25 percent of total project cost as their GC fee on top of subcontractor and material costs. For a mid-range kitchen remodel, expect $28,000 to $75,000 total. A full interior renovation of a 2,000 sq ft home runs $85,000 to $220,000 depending on finishes and structural complexity. Coastal location, flood zone requirements, and high subcontractor demand push South Florida costs 10 to 20 percent above state inland averages. These are market-based estimates derived from contractor bid data in the Broward County area.
What license do I need to work as a general contractor in Florida?
You need a state-issued Certified General Contractor (CGC) license issued by the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) under the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). This requires 4 years of proven construction experience, passing two state exams through Pearson VUE (Business and Finance, plus Contract Administration and Project Management), submitting a credit report, proof of insurance, and paying application fees of approximately $309. A Registered General Contractor license is also available but restricts you to work only within the local jurisdiction where you registered. See Florida Statute 489.105 and the DBPR website for current requirements.
Do I need a permit for a remodel in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. Fort Lauderdale requires permits for nearly all remodel work — structural changes, roofing, window and door replacements, additions, and any project valued over $2,500. The City of Fort Lauderdale Building Services Division manages permitting through their ePlan electronic submission system. Flood zone properties require additional compliance review under FEMA guidelines. Skipping permits in Fort Lauderdale can result in stop-work orders, fines, and forced demolition of unpermitted work. Contact Fort Lauderdale Building Services at (954) 828-5000 for project-specific permit requirements.
How competitive is the general contracting market in Fort Lauderdale?
It's competitive. Florida has approximately 4,126 licensed general contracting establishments statewide (U.S. Census Bureau data), with a dense concentration in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. Fort Lauderdale alone has dozens of active GCs competing for residential and commercial work. That said, demand consistently runs high due to population growth, aging housing stock, hurricane repair cycles, and ongoing commercial development. Contractors who are properly licensed, insured, and experienced with South Florida's flood zone and hurricane code requirements tend to win bids over lower-priced competitors who cut corners on compliance.
What insurance does a general contractor need in Fort Lauderdale, FL?
Florida law requires general contractors to carry General Liability Insurance — $300,000 per occurrence minimum for residential, $1,000,000 per occurrence for commercial work — and Workers' Compensation Insurance for all employees (Florida Statute Chapter 489 and Chapter 440). There are no grace exemptions for construction trades regarding workers' comp. The Florida Department of Financial Services conducts active enforcement on job sites in Broward County. Most commercial clients require $1M to $2M in general liability plus umbrella coverage. Sole proprietors with no employees may file a Certificate of Election to be Exempt with the state but should verify eligibility through the DBPR before proceeding without coverage.
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