Vetting Contractors After a Storm: A Guide for Condo and HOA Boards in Florida and New Jersey

By Homeland Public Adjusters
Licensed public adjusters serving Florida & New Jersey

Checklist chart for vetting contractors after a storm: license, insurance, contract and red flags

Short answer: after a hurricane, unlicensed contractors and high-pressure offers arrive with the debris trucks. Before the board signs anything, verify the license on the state database, collect proof of insurance, read the contract, and say no to anyone who offers to waive the deductible, pay for referrals or “handle the insurance.” In Florida, unlicensed contracting during a declared state of emergency is a third-degree felony.

Florida rules boards should know

• Verify any contractor’s license on the DBPR license search (myfloridalicense.com).
• Unlicensed contracting during a declared state of emergency is a third-degree felony (§489.127(2)(c)).
• Contractors may not offer a rebate, gift, cash or a waiver of the insurance deductible for a roof inspection or roof claim, or pay or take referral fees for work paid by insurance, and may not interpret policy provisions or adjust a claim unless licensed as a public adjuster; fines are up to $10,000 per violation (§489.147).
• A roof contract signed within 180 days of a declared emergency may be cancelled within 10 days of signing or by the official start date, whichever comes first.

New Jersey

• Home improvement contractors must register annually with the Division of Consumer Affairs and carry at least $500,000 per occurrence of general liability insurance (N.J.S.A. 56:8-142).
• Check registration on the Division of Consumer Affairs website before signing.

Red flags

• Door-to-door solicitation with “today only” pricing.
• An offer to cover or waive the deductible.
• A request to sign an assignment or direction to pay the insurance proceeds to the contractor.
• Large deposits before materials or permits.
• No license number, or a license that doesn’t match the name on the truck or contract.

Get help from your public adjuster before signing: we coordinate the scope with the claim so the association isn’t paying for work the insurer should cover, or signing away control of the claim.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: Fla. Stat. §489.127; Fla. Stat. §489.147; Fla. Stat. §626.854; DBPR license search; NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.

This guide is general information for association boards and managers, current as of October 2026. It is not legal advice. Your governing documents, your policies and your association’s attorney control.

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