Frequently Asked Questions ON the Contractor Program


What is the My Safe Florida Home Program? 

This program was established by the Legislature to help Floridians identify how they can strengthen their homes against hurricanes and to reduce hurricane damage exposure in our state. The program offers free wind inspections by qualified hurricane mitigation inspectors to eligible homeowners and offer matching grants up to $5,000 for specific home improvements identified in the wind inspection reports.  Matching grants are available to eligible homeowners and homeowners who are approved for a grant must use the contractors pre-approved and listed on the My Safe Florida Home Web site to perform inspection-identified retrofit work.

What types of hurricane retrofit improvements will the grant funds pay for?

Matching grant funds are available only for wind-resistance improvements in the following categories if the home was inspected on or after May 1, 2007.

1. Bracing gable-ends in your roof framing.  This is usually done inside the attic, to decrease chances that positive or negative wind pressure will push the gable end wall segment in or out, partially separating it from the wall underneath it, thus allowing water intrusion and possibly leading to collapse of the roof.

2. Upgrading exterior wall opening protections.  For example, installing hurricane-rated window shutters.

3. Upgrading exterior doors.  For example, replacing a standard garage door with a hurricane-rated garage door.

Under law, only homeowners who received a wind inspection before May 1, 2007, will be eligible for a grant under the previous program rules.

Who is “DFS” and why are they involved?

The My Safe Florida Home program falls under the purview of the Florida Department of Financial Services, or DFS.

Why would I want to become a Participating Contractor?

The matching grant program requires Florida homeowners to use a contractor that is listed on the My Safe Florida Home Web site for any hurricane retrofit work noted in the wind inspection, before the work can be considered eligible for reimbursement.  Hurricane retrofit work performed by contractors not listed is not eligible for the matching grant. 

How do I apply to become a Participating Contractor?

An online application is available. Once the application is submitted it will be reviewed for accuracy and certain information verified with your appropriate state or local construction licensing board.  If your application is approved, you will be added to the Web site listing of approved contractors. Consumers approved for a grant under this program will be able to select from the list of approved participating contractors in their area. Call 800-363-5852 for more information.

Note:  Attendance in the Blueprint for Safety course alone does NOT automatically result in becoming a My Safe Florida Home participating contractor.  To become a participating contractor you MUST submit an application.

Is there any type of written agreement to which I must consent to be a Participating Contractor?

Yes. The agreement is called a "Participation Agreement." You can click here to view a copy of the agreement.

Do the improvements have to be completed by a licensed contractor?

All retrofit construction work must be performed by a contractor who is licensed with the appropriate state, county or local authorities for the type of improvements being completed and who is a Participating Contractor with the My Safe Florida Home program. Participating Contractors may not exceed the scope of their license.

What is “DBPR”?

The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation

What is “FCILB”?

Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board

I am a licensed contractor.  Why do I need to become a Participating Contractor and be listed on the Web site?

The state law creating this program requires that homeowners use the licensed contractors listed on the My Safe Florida Home Web site.

What is the qualified business license requirement for a Participating Contractor?

If you are a contractor licensed under Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, and you are operating as a business organization, including a partnership, corporation or other legal entity, you must apply for a qualified business license (also known as a certificate of authority) with the Construction Industry Licensing Board. This requirement is contained in Section 489.119(2), Florida Statutes. The requirement does not include contractors operating as sole proprietorships. Failure to obtain this license means you are violating Florida law. You could be subject to possible disciplinary action including a fine of $500 to $1,000 along with possible suspension or revocation of your license for a repeat violation.

Information, including applications to apply for a qualified business license, can also be found on the Internet at www.MyFlorida.com under Business and Professional Regulation. The qualified business license costs $59.

Can I still do hurricane retrofit work if I am not a Participating Contractor?

Yes, but the homeowner will not be approved to receive a matching reimbursement of up to 50% of the repair cost, to a maximum of $5,000.

Can I as a contractor complete the free wind inspection?

No.  Only approved wind inspectors can complete the wind inspection in order for the inspection report to be valid. 

Can I be an approved inspector and a Participating Contractor?

Yes, as long as you meet the requirements to be a Participating Contractor and an Inspector. However, a Participating Contractor may not contract with a homeowner to perform retrofit construction work under the My Safe Florida Home program if the contractor conducted the free wind inspection.

Can unlicensed contractors become Participating Contractors under this program?

No.

If my competitor is not listed, does that mean he/she is not properly licensed?

No.  It could mean any number of things, including that your competitor did not apply for this program.

What happens if I make a mistake on my application?

You can email us at ContractorInfo@FLDFS.com and ask for a correction to be made.  Any request needs to include your Contractor File number.  All requests will be verified before any information is altered on the Web site.

Is there any special training required?

Yes. Prior to being listed as a Participating Contractor, the Contractor must complete, or already have completed, a four-hour review course concerning residential wind-resistance retrofit work to be done under grant funds. Some contractors may have already taken a Continuing Education (CE) course that satisfies this requirement. If you took the Blueprint for Safety course prior to the 2004 hurricane season, we would encourage you to re-take the course to obtain the most up-to-date information on effective building practices to better safeguard structures against hurricanes.

The natural person holding the contractor's license is the one who must take or have taken the FLASH Blueprint for Safety course since 1-1-04. It is not sufficient that one of the contractor's employees or a co-worker of the contractor has taken or will take the course. For a construction business that has a single primary qualifying contractor licensee, that primary qualifying licensee is the one who must take or have taken the course since 1-1-04. For an entity that has multiple primary qualifying agent contractor licensees, it is sufficient for any one of those primary qualifying licensees to take or have taken the course since 1-1-04.

How can I get this training?

Federal Alliance for Safe Home's (FLASH) Blueprint for Safety Retrofit Course for Contractors will be offered around the state over the next few months.  This course is approved by Department of Business and Professional Regulation for four continuing education units. FLASH will report participation to DBPR for continuing education credit. You will be mailed a certificate of participation from FLASH. 

 TRAINING CALENDAR

If you have questions or need additional information please contact FLASH at 877-221-7233 or by email at flash@flash.org 

Are there any courses I can take now that will satisfy this requirement?

If you have completed the following course at any time in the past, you have satisfied the training requirement: 

Blueprint for Safety Retrofit - an Introduction
DBPR/FCILB course number 0005849
Provider:  Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)
Web site:  www.flash.org

What if I had a problem in the past with my contractors license, but it has been resolved?

Your application may take longer to process, and we may seek from you additional information regarding current or prior disciplinary action.  The information you provide will be reviewed and verified with the licensing authorities involved.

If there is a problem with my license, can I correct it through you?

No.  You must contact the authority that issued your license.  If the information provided by the licensing authority does not agree with the information you provide in your participating contractor application you will not be listed as an approved participating contractor. 

What if I don’t know there is a problem with my license and I apply?

When information from an application does not agree with the information received from a licensing authority, the contractor will be notified.  Once that contractor corrects the licensing problem with the appropriate authority, the contractor can contact us to reconsider the original application. 

I don’t have a license now.  Can I get one through you?

No.  You must have a license before applying for this program.  You can contact DBPR at Call.Center@dbpr.state.fl.us, or call them at (850) 487-1395.  You can also contact the local construction licensing authority for your county.

I paid my occupational license for this year. Can I use that?

No.  Your occupational license is a local privilege tax.  It is not a contractor’s license.

How will you know that I am properly licensed in my county?

Every license will be verified.  This may result in a local license taking longer to approve, as not all counties list their licensees on their Web site.  In these cases, we will need to contact the license authority in that county and verify the license before it is listed on the Web site.

Can I advertise my Web site on the My Safe Florida Home Web site?

No, but you can direct potential customers to visit your Web site for more information.

If I am listed on the Web site, am I guaranteed I will get work?

No.  All we will guarantee is that we will list any qualifying contractor or contracting business for an interested consumer to contact.

Is my work limited to the $5,000 grant?

No.  The matching grant program is to help offset the cost to certain property owners who retrofit their properties to make them less vulnerable to hurricane damage.  The actual cost of the repairs is going to be greater than the grant, because it is limited to 50% of the repair cost, up to a maximum reimbursement of $5,000.  It is possible the repairs will exceed the limits of the program.  These costs will be borne solely by the property owner. It is important to note that in the case of window and roof replacements, the grant will fund the expense of upgrading a standard roof or window to a hurricane-resistant model. The grant will not be available to pay for the full replacement cost.

How do I know if the homeowner is approved for the program?

The homeowner will have had a wind inspection performed, and a written report will be provided detailing the work suggested to be performed.  Once the inspection is done, the homeowner will apply for the matching grant.  Once approved, they will have paperwork from the Department of Financial Services verifying approval into the program and the repairs covered.

What if the property needs more work than just that listed on the inspection report?

You will need to discuss that with the homeowner. The program will not subsidize any work other than what is listed on the grant approval form that is sent by the Department to the homeowner. However, your participation in this program does not prevent you from providing other services you are licensed to perform.

What if the property owner does not qualify for the grant?

You can still perform the work, but the property owner will pay 100% of the costs. 

Can I expect to get calls from homeowners who are not eligible for an inspection or grant under this program, but need hurricane retrofit work performed?

It is possible, although we cannot guarantee it.

Where can I get more information about some of the work expected to be performed?

http://www.mysafefloridahome.com/.TakeAction.asp

What if I just want to be an inspector?

Please visit the My Safe Florida Home Web site, and click on the For Wind Inspectors link for more information.