Choose your contractor.
Check the details that matter.

Does the license match the business on the proposal?

DBPR explains that construction businesses must be qualified by a properly licensed individual. Search both the business and that individual, then compare the result with the name on your proposed contract. A company registration alone does not establish construction authority.

DBPR lists marine seawall and marine bulkhead specialty categories, but a category name is only a starting point. Ask the permitting authority whether the bidder’s actual license covers the complete scope, including any dock, electrical or other associated work. For County registration questions, Contractor Licensing is 904-827-6820. Construction Industry Business Information Construction Industry license categories Contractor Licensing contacts

Make these checks before paying a deposit

Ask the insurer or agent to confirm coverage rather than relying only on a document sent by the salesperson. Florida’s Attorney General specifically recommends checking insurance with its issuer. Keep a copy of what you checked and the date, because status and coverage can change. How to Protect Yourself: Contractors

Who is responsible for the assessment and design?

A contractor’s estimate may not include an independent condition report or an engineered design. Ask who will inspect concealed or underwater components, who will sign the findings and what limitations the report will state.

FBPE explains that Florida engineers are not licensed by discipline. An active PE record therefore does not prove experience with seawalls or coastal foundations. Use the official individual and firm lookup, then ask about relevant work and the specific services included. For a retained wall, request a clear explanation of what the professional could observe and what remained inaccessible. Engineering Directory

Can you verify a comparable completed project?

With the owner’s permission, ask for an address and permit reference for work resembling your proposed job. Look for issued permits, approved changes and inspection records. A photograph of a finished cap cannot establish the condition or design of buried supports.

St. Augustine Beach’s public portal covers permits after April 15, 2019; older or missing material can be requested from its Building Department. County records are available through its e-services and records team. Search results may be incomplete, so a missing record deserves a follow-up rather than an immediate accusation. St. Augustine Beach records access Building Department records

What needs to be clear in the contract?

• The wall limits, components retained and materials proposed.
• The party responsible for design, permits, inspections and revisions.
• Access permissions, neighboring-property protection and restoration.
• Allowances, exclusions and the written change-order process.
• Payment milestones, warranty terms and closeout documents.

Discuss lien releases before the final payment. DBPR warns that unpaid suppliers or subcontractors can have claims against the property even when the main contractor has been paid. Have your adviser help select the appropriate documents and timing.

Resolve differences between sales promises and the signed scope while you still have choices. The quote comparison guide helps compare complete proposals; the permit guide identifies the agencies to confirm. An introduction through a referral service is the beginning of your checks, not a certification of the bidder. Florida’s Construction Lien Law

Three answers worth requesting before you choose

Then ask: “What will I receive at completion?” Request a list of inspections, accepted revisions, material information, warranties and outstanding items. A contractor who can explain the handover gives you something concrete to compare with another proposal.

Keep independently checked records with the quote. Avoid forwarding identity documents or sensitive account details that the bidder does not need to evaluate the project.