Whether you are having the house painted (tip: check with your Homeowners association for approved colours) or installing a pool and spa (again check with the homeowners association) it is important to do your research on a builder or as they call them here – Contractors.

The Orlando Sentinel has written a great guide, ’7 Steps to a Credible Contractor’ which gives some great guidance – especially to a Brit who isn’t used to things over here – on selecting a contractor for a job! One of the main points to note is that generally contractors have to be licensed by the state as well as in their county. You can check alot of this information on www.myflorida.com – however for the local county records the local county websites sometimes have the same search facility if not a call to the local countys administrative headquarters will often help point you in the right direction.

Here is the link to the Orlando Sentinel’s Article "7 Steps to a Credible Contractor!"