Best General-contractor in Orlando, FL — 25 Vetted Contractors

Usually yes, if you're touching plumbing, electrical, structural elements, or adding square footage. Cosmetic work like painting or replacing cabinets typically doesn't need one, but a new bathroom layout or knocking out a wall does. Check with the City of Orlando Permitting Services Division or Orange County Building Safety Division depending on your address — a licensed contractor should pull the permit as part of the job, not leave it to you.

Per Florida DBPR, a Certified General Contractor (CGC) passes a state exam and can legally work anywhere in Florida. A Registered General Contractor (RG) is licensed only to work in the specific local jurisdiction where they're registered — so an RG contractor working in Orlando needs to be registered with either the City of Orlando or Orange County, and that registration doesn't automatically transfer if you move outside the county.

Go to myfloridalicense.com and search DBPR's license lookup by name or license number. It'll show you the license status (active, delinquent, suspended, revoked), the license type, and any disciplinary history. This takes about two minutes and catches more problems than reading reviews.

It can. Most Orlando-area planned communities require architectural review board (ARB) approval for exterior changes, additions, and sometimes even interior structural work, before or alongside county permitting. Some HOAs take a few days to respond, others take several weeks. A contractor who's worked in your specific community before will usually know the ARB's typical turnaround and required documentation, which can save real time.

Rough range is $150-$300 per square foot for a standard addition, depending on foundation type, roofline complexity, and whether you're extending existing HVAC and electrical or adding new systems. A 300-square-foot addition might land anywhere from $45,000 to $90,000+. Get itemized quotes since site prep, permitting, and finish-level choices swing this range significantly.

Yes. After a storm, roofing and reconstruction contractors get booked out fast, and prices for materials like roofing and lumber can spike due to regional demand. If you're planning non-urgent renovation work, scheduling outside peak storm-damage months (typically August through October) often means shorter lead times and more competitive bids.

Florida sees a wave of unlicensed or out-of-state 'storm chaser' contractors after major hurricanes. Always verify the license on myfloridalicense.com before signing anything, avoid paying large deposits upfront, and be cautious of anyone pressuring you to sign immediately for an insurance claim. The Florida Attorney General's office has issued repeated consumer alerts about this pattern following major storms.