09/22/2026
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🏠 Homeowner Tip: VERIFY BEFORE YOU HIRE.
There has been a large increase in unlicensed construction businesses in Southwest Florida, not just in the aluminum industry, but in HVAC, electrical, roofing, pools, and other sectors as well. This is not only a problem for companies who are running legitimately, following the rules, carrying the proper insurance, and paying the necessary costs of doing business, It's a huge problem for homeowners as well.
And here’s why:
So much of the repair work we do is fixing what an unlicensed company has done. Many of these companies are well known and are even recommended in local networking groups and community posts.
So not only did the homeowner already pay to have the original job completed, they now have to pay even more to have it fixed.
That's just not right.
And don't let appearances fool you.
A wrapped box truck, nice work truck and trailer, fancy logo, professional website, or business cards can make a company look established and legitimate. But anyone can get those things.
A professional appearance doesn't replace proper licensing and insurance.
A few things to know before hiring:
🔹 Verify the license. Check DBPR or your county's licensing resources to make sure the contractor is properly licensed for the work they are performing. Active aluminum specialty license holders may not show up through DBPR, but there are county resources listing active license holders.
🔹 Ask for a Certificate of Liability Insurance. Don't just take someone's word for it when they say they're insured. Ask to see proof.
🔹 Pay attention to their advertising. For our line of work, if you're installing gutters, soffit, fascia, siding, undertruss lanais, entryways, etc., you need the appropriate aluminum specialty license or higher qualifying license for the work being performed. The applicable license number should also be displayed on advertising, websites, business cards, estimates, invoices, and other business materials.
If a company only says "Licensed & Insured" but doesn't provide a license number, ask questions and verify it.
Why am I trying to raise awareness about this? Because I see it every day.
I see companies advertising and getting recommended through networking groups that aren't legally operating within the requirements for the work they're doing.
They can offer lower prices because they don't have the same overhead as a legitimate, properly licensed business.
And it hurts everyone.
Homeowners end up with poor workmanship, corners get cut, and they can end up spending even more money fixing the problem. Legitimate businesses are struggling to compete with companies that aren't following the same rules.
There's a reason you need to be licensed in most construction fields.
If anyone can simply start a business, advertise their services, and perform work without the proper license, then what's the point of having licensing requirements in the first place?
We're not posting this to bash other businesses.
We're posting it because homeowners deserve to know who they're hiring and what they're paying for.
Do your homework. Ask questions. Verify before hire.
Verify here: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/portalsearches/VerifyLicensee
https://www.leegov.com/dcd/rpts/Documents/ContractorLists/Aluminum.pdf =Aluminum%20contractor%20list
