Hiring a general contractor in Naples is one of the most important decisions you'll make for your home. A great contractor delivers a beautiful result on time and on budget. A bad one can cost you tens of thousands of dollars, months of delays, and significant stress. Here's how to tell the difference.
Verify Their Florida Contractor's License
Every general contractor working in Florida must hold a valid state contractor's license. You can verify any contractor's license on the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) website at myfloridalicense.com.
Search by name or license number and confirm: the license is active, the license type matches the work being done (general contractor, not just a specialty trade), and there are no disciplinary actions on record.
This takes five minutes and can save you enormous headaches. Never hire an unlicensed contractor for any significant work.
Confirm They Carry Insurance
Before any work begins, ask for certificates of insurance showing:
General Liability Insurance: Covers damage to your property during construction. A minimum of $1M per occurrence is standard for residential work in Naples.
Workers' Compensation Insurance: Covers injuries to workers on your property. If a contractor doesn't carry workers' comp and a worker is injured on your job site, you could be held liable.
Call the insurance company directly to verify the certificates are current — don't just accept a certificate at face value.
Ask for Local References
Any reputable Naples contractor should be able to provide references from recent local projects. Ask for at least three references and actually call them. Ask:
- Was the project completed on time and on budget? - How did the contractor handle unexpected issues? - Was communication clear and consistent throughout? - Would you hire them again?
If possible, ask to see the finished work in person. A contractor who's proud of their work will be happy to arrange this.
Get a Fully Itemized Proposal
A vague estimate with large allowances is a major red flag. The best contractors provide detailed, line-item proposals that break down every cost — materials, labor, permits, and contingency.
This protects you in two ways: you know exactly what you're paying for, and you have a clear baseline for evaluating any change orders that come up during construction.
Be skeptical of any bid that's significantly lower than others. In Naples' market, quality labor and materials have a real cost. A contractor who bids 30% below everyone else is either planning to cut corners or planning to make it up with change orders.
Understand Who Will Actually Be on Your Job Site
Some contractors win bids and then subcontract everything to the lowest bidder. Ask directly: who will be on my job site every day? Will you personally be involved in the project?
Owner-operated companies — where the owner is personally accountable for every project — tend to deliver better results than large companies where you're handed off to a project manager you've never met.
At Hammer & Hand Co., Michael Murphy is personally involved in every project. You'll have his direct number and direct access throughout your project.
Ready to Start?
Looking for a Naples general contractor you can trust? Hammer & Hand Co. offers free consultations and fully itemized proposals. Contact us today.
