All tools · Storm Contractor Contract Check FL
How Big a Deposit Can a Florida Contractor Ask For?
Use the free tool — Storm Contractor Contract Check FL
What Florida law says about your deposit
Florida Statute §489.126 sets a rule for contractor deposits: 10% of the contract price, and the work has to start within 90 days. If a contractor at your door asks for more than that, or won't put a start date in writing, that is a red flag under the statute.
Red flags to watch for in the contract
- A deposit larger than 10% of the total price.
- No start date, or a start date more than 90 days out.
- No total price written down.
- Language that assigns your insurance claim to the contractor (an "assignment of benefits," or AOB) — this is banned for insurance policies issued after 2023.
- Language that waives or covers your insurance deductible.
- Cancellation fees that don't mention your 3-day right.
Your 3-day right to cancel
If a contractor sold you the contract door-to-door — at your home, not at their office — Florida law gives you a right to cancel within 3 days. This applies to door-to-door sales.
Check the licence before you pay anything
A valid Florida contract should show a licence number. You have to confirm that number yourself, for free, at myfloridalicense.com (DBPR). Also ask for the permit and insurance certificate, and check references. None of this can be verified for you automatically — you have to look it up.
What this guide can't do
This is not legal advice, and it does not replace a lawyer. It cannot verify a licence, permit, or insurance for you, and it cannot cancel a contract you already signed. If you already signed an assignment of benefits (AOB) or paid a large deposit, call the Florida DFS fraud line at 1-800-378-0445 or DBPR at 850-487-1395. This guide is based on Florida Statutes 489.126, 489.127, 501.025, 627.7152, 713.015 and 817.234 as of 2025–26 — always confirm current rules with a professional or the agency.
What to do next
The free tool reads your own contract text — every clause, the deposit amount, the start date, and any AOB language — and checks it against these Florida rules for you. Paste your contract to see the red flags, the deadlines, and the exact lines to strike before you sign anything.
Storm Contractor Contract Check FL is an informational tool based on Florida Statutes 489.126, 489.127, 501.025, 627.7152, 713.015 and 817.234 as of 2025–26. It is not legal advice, cannot verify licences, permits or insurance, and does not cancel contracts. Verify every licence at myfloridalicense.com and report fraud to the Florida DFS or DBPR. It is not affiliated with any contractor, insurer or agency.