In July 2007, the county commission established the county contractor licensing program and contractor review board to manage licensing locally. The purpose of the contractor licensing program is to promote and protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Flagler County through a contractors licensing and regulation system assuring compliance with county and state construction licensing regulations; and to minimize losses to the public due to unlawful conduct of both certified and uncertified contractors.

Warning: Advertising to do building construction work without a contractor’s license in advance is as illegal as is actually doing such work. All illegal contractors will be prosecuted to the fullest extent prescribed in the adopted contractor licensing ordinance and state laws.

• Check your contractor’s licensing credentials by choosing “Search for a Contractor” on this site or calling Flagler County Contractor Licensing at 386-313-4085 or 386-313-4003.
• Ask if your contractor has any complaints that have been filed against him/her and if the license has been revoked or suspended.
• Ask your contractor for references.
• Check out work done by your contractor with persons for whom he/she has previously performed work.
• Ask how long your contractor has been in the business.
• Check with local suppliers on your contractor's reputation.
• Check with the Flagler County Building Department (unincorporated areas) on the contractor's status to pull permits.
• Do they use their own employees? If you do not, are the subcontractor(s) properly licensed and insured?

• Contractor's name, address, telephone number and County Certificate of Licensure or State Contractor's license number should appear on all documents.
• Have several contractors provide you a written estimate of what you want performed.
• Get the proposals, contracts or agreements, in writing.
• Details of quality, types of material and description of the work to be performed. The completion date of the work to be performed and a payment schedule. (How long the job will take to complete with required inspections acknowledged in writing.) Any changes to the contract agreement should also be in writing.
• The contractor should always obtain all necessary building permits.
• If the contractor is paid more than 10% of the contract price at the time of signing, the contractor must apply for all permits within 30 days of receiving the funds. Work must be started within 90 days after all permits are obtained.
• If you don't understand the contract, seek help such as from an attorney.

• Be suspicious of a contractor who offers the fastest, cheapest job on a "you must act now" basis. This may be an indication of inferior materials and unfinished jobs or jobs taking too long to complete.
• Be wary if you are asked to obtain the building permit.
• A licensed contractor, who is in good standing, will always obtain the permit.
• Avoid any contractor who requires large advance payments.
• Arrange to pay the contractor after the work is completed and according to a payment schedule. The payments should reflect approximately, the work that has been done.
• Avoid paying in cash. Payment by check will be a record of your payment.
• Make all payments by check to the company contracted to do the work, not to "cash" or a person's name.
• Do not sign a completion certificate unless all the work is completed according to contract, your satisfaction and an approved, final inspection has been performed by the Building Code Services Division (unincorporated areas) or your jurisdictional building department.
• If your contract exceeds $2,500.00, a Notice of Commencement must be filed by the homeowner or contractor. Your failure to record a Notice of Commencement may result in your paying twice for improvements to your property.

In most circumstances you may act as your own contractor subject to statutory limitations. You will be required to read and sign an Owner/Builder Disclosure Statement.