Protect yourself and your property as you seek assistance for repair work performed during natural disasters.

It is important for you to always hire a State of Florida licensed contractor for any repair work. Here are a few things to remember:

Who is an unlicensed contractor?

The person offering to perform work without the required license is an unlicensed contractor.

What is unlicensed activity?

When a person who is not licensed offers to perform work that requires a license that is issued and regulated by the state.

What steps can you take to ensure you do not become a victim of unlicensed activity?

• Know what scope of work requires a licensed contractor
  • Roof repairs, electrical repairs and wiring
• Verify the license is valid
• Review contract and any documents before signing
• Avoid making full payments until contractor has obtained final inspection for work that has been completed
• Report unlicensed contractor activity

Some tools to verify your contractor's license:

• Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation

• Seminole County Contractor Permit Inquiry

When the new Contractor Permit Inquiry page opens, to search by name, select the following from the dropdown arrows:

          Desired Content:  Permit Detail

          Search by: Name

          Name contains:  Del (type in the name, can use the full name or just partial)

          Then select the Submit button

          A table will open listing any contractor that either starts with or contains Del

When the Contractor Permit Inquiry page opens, to search by a specific type of contractor, please select from the dropdown arrows the following:

         Desired Content:  Permit Detail

         Search by: Contractor Class

         Name contains:  CERTIFIED AIR CONDITIONING (for example)

         Then select the Submit button

         A table will open listing any contractor that is registered as a Certified Air Conditioning.

All forms, applications and submittal guidelines/checklists are available online through the Forms and Applications page.

The following are the minimum requirements for all owner/builder permit applications:

• Valid form of Identification (governmental issued photo ID) or a recorded warranty deed to determine ownership
• Completed Permit application (Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Roof) based on scope of work
• Completed Owner Builder Statement
  • (Section 489.103(7), Florida Statute, requires all owners of property acting as their own contractor to complete the following disclosure statement and personally appear to sign for the building permit. This is an affidavit for contractor exemption for an owner/builder applying for a building permit)
• Signed and sealed construction plans (if required) for scope of work
• Additional forms may be required depending on the scope of work, please refer to the Owner/Builder Submittal Guidelines for the specific scope of work to be done.
• If value of work exceeds $2,500, a certified recorded copy of the Notice of Commencement

Permitting fees can be found on the Fee Schedule which outlines the basic costs for each permit type.

Fee Calculators are available online to estimate the costs for the scope of work proposed.

If your electrical meter was damaged or the electrical mast was pulled away from your home in unincorporated Seminole County, utility companies require a safety inspection of the electrical system before the meter is reset. 

A miscellaneous electrical permit must be obtained and an Electrical Safety Affidavit signed and notarized by the contractor must be onsite for the final inspection and approval of re-energizing of the meter.

Please contact us at:

Seminole County Building Division

County Services Building

1101 E. First Street, Sanford, FL 32771-1468

We are open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with our last customer sign in at 4:30 pm daily.

For more information, call 407-665-7050 or email bpcustomerservice@semiolecountyfl.gov

The following lists a few options for licensed contractors to apply for storm damaged structures. 

The ePlan process is available online 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.  Once registered and current in the licensing database, any contractor can submit for a permit through the ePlan program.

 

The EZ Permit process is another option available for contractors to use. Once the contractor has completed their EZ Permit registration process and submitted the required notarized authorization form, the contractor can submit the applications by email for faster processing. 

Note, the EZ Permit process is for the following residential permit types only at this time.

Residential Application types accepted:

• Residential MISC Plumbing
• Residential MISC Mechanical (size for size)
• Residential MISC Electric
• Residential Reroof - (Tile, Metal, and TPO Reroof must go through ePlan)
• Residential Window/Door Replacement (size for size)
  • Any Reroof or Window/Door permit application that requires a plan review, does not qualify for this program, (i.e. Metal, Tile, TPO, etc. for Reroof) 
• Contractor must be up to date in the Seminole County licensing database with their current license and insurance information

To use the EZ Permit Process, the contractor must have an escrow account with sufficient funds or pay by valid credit card. Escrow account deposits can be made via cash or check. For questions please contact: bpcustomerservice@seminolecounty.com

The Seminole County Building Permits Online page allows for public access to browse and research permit activity for properties in unincorporated Seminole County. Current and historical data along with other permitting information is available, including: searching permits by parcel or address, checking the status of submitted application packages, view list of issued permits, schedule inspections and follow the status of scheduled inspection.

 

Start by clicking on the Select Permit tab on the left.

From the Search Method: drop-down box, select one of the following: Application Number, Address, Parcel Number or Name.  Then follow the steps to review the searched permit. 

During post-storm cleanup, unsuspecting consumers can be easy prey for unlicensed contractors whose bids almost inevitably will be much lower than bids from licensed contractors. The strong appeal of saving money can be overwhelming, but buyers must beware. The cheapest contractor available may be the one who will cost the most in the long run.

Most people don’t understand the risks and therefore don’t do the proper background checks on contractors, and they often end up regretting it. Having a license is critical because it protects both parties from anything that might go wrong during the process.

Unlicensed contractors have advantages that enable them to provide the lowest prices. They don’t have to pay licensing fees, don’t have to obtain a bond to protect their work, and often don’t purchase liability or workers compensation insurance. Without these added expenses, the unlicensed contractor can provide their services at a rate lower than the legitimately licensed professional, but it puts the consumer at risk.

If you hire an unlicensed contractor and he falls off a ladder while doing work at your business or house, you’re liable. An unlicensed contractor will also try to cut corners on the work because they don’t have to adhere to building codes, so if a hurricane hits, or even a severe thunderstorm, your house or business may not hold up to Florida weather conditions.

While many of these contractors are just too lazy and cheap to get their licenses, some of them are real criminals who will take your money without doing the work and even steal your property. These are organized criminals who canvas neighborhoods and business areas to lure you in with cheap prices.

While fraud may not know geographical boundaries, the good news is that specific Florida laws have been passed to protect property owners from incompetent or dishonest contractors. The state licensing process tests basic competency and also screens out dishonest contractors. A valid license is the first indication that your contractor might be qualified to do the job. You should consider the following when hiring a contractor:

• Avoid door-to-door solicitors.
• Insist on references, a proper license, bonding and insurance.
• Check out credentials.
• Make sure the contract can be broken if you don’t receive financing.
• Hire a contractor with a real office, not just a post office box address.

The list below is our most common construction activities that DO NOT require a permit:

• Roof Repairs not exceeding 100 sq. ft.
• Work of a strictly cosmetic nature: painting, carpeting, wallpapering, tile or wood flooring.
• Replacement of cabinets, as long as the electrical, plumbing, or mechanical is not relocated and any new item is reconnected in the same location.
• Replacement of interior doors.
• Replacement of a toilet with no change in location.
• Replacement of a sink and/or faucet with no change in location.

Note, the list is illustrative only and is not meant to be exhaustive. Several factors may determine, if in fact, a permit is required, if you have any questions relating to the proposed work, please contact us at 407-665-7050.

The following list are examples of work that DOES require a permit:

• Roof Repairs exceeding 100 sq. ft.
• Electrical Repairs.
• Replacement of a condenser, air handler or both, and/or package unit.
• Replacement of a water heater.
• Replacement/installation of the entire window.
• Replacement/installation of the door and jamb.
• Drywall Replacement (check with the Building Division)
• Installation/replacement of a residential fence.
• Remodeling of a bathroom including tub, sink or toilet location change and/or the replacement of tile or tub surround.
• Replacement of exterior siding.
• Install gas tank and/or gas lines.
• Repair, resurface or replace swimming pool.
• Replace or install screen enclosure.
• Build a barn, metal building, shed, or detached garage.
• Construct a carport or sunroom.

The FEMA 50% Rule is still in effect and will be enforced during review.  

Additional information may be found in Section 105.1, Florida Building Code: Florida Building Code, Chapter 1