Best General-contractor in Orlando, FL — 23 Vetted Contractors

Yes, for most structural work. Florida law requires a licensed CGC or RGC contractor for any project involving structural changes, and both City of Orlando and Orange County will reject permit applications without one listed as qualifying party. Verify the license at myfloridalicense.com before signing anything — DBPR maintains the state's official registry.

Timelines depend on jurisdiction. City of Orlando's Permitting Services Division has typically processed standard residential permits in 2-4 weeks, while Orange County Building Safety Division can run longer during high-volume periods, especially after major storms. Ask your contractor which office covers your address and how many active permits they currently have pending there.

A Certified General Contractor (CGC) license is issued by the state and allows the holder to work anywhere in Florida. A Registered General Contractor (RGC) license is tied to a specific local jurisdiction's competency exam and only allows work in that county or city. For most Orlando-area homeowners this distinction matters less day-to-day, but it's worth confirming which one your contractor holds if you're near a county line.

Almost certainly yes. Most master-planned Orlando communities built after 2000 have architectural review committees that require approval for anything visible from the street — additions, roof changes, exterior paint, and sometimes even fencing. A contractor experienced in these communities will know to submit HOA paperwork alongside the county or city permit application, which can save weeks of back-and-forth.

Any exterior work — windows, doors, garage doors, roofing — has to meet Florida Building Code wind-load and impact-resistance standards for the region, which typically adds 10-20% versus non-rated products depending on the item. It's a real cost, but skipping it can affect insurability; several Florida insurers now require wind mitigation inspections and rated products for coverage renewal.

It can. If your property sits in a FEMA-designated flood zone, renovations that cost more than 50% of the home's assessed value can trigger substantial-improvement rules requiring elevation or flood venting under current floodplain ordinances. Check your FEMA flood zone designation before budgeting, and ask your contractor directly whether they've handled substantial-improvement permitting before.

Document damage with photos before any repairs start, and be cautious of contractors who show up door-to-door immediately after a storm — Florida's Attorney General has issued repeated post-storm warnings about unlicensed 'storm chaser' crews. Confirm licensing through DBPR, get repair estimates in writing, and coordinate timing with your insurance adjuster before major structural work begins.

Usually, yes, per square foot. Homes built before the 1980s in areas like College Park or Delaney Park often need electrical panel upgrades, plumbing replacement (especially homes with original galvanized pipe), and termite or wood-rot remediation uncovered mid-project — costs that new-construction remodels in Lake Nona or Horizon West typically don't carry.