How to Avoid Restoration Scams in Florida

After a major storm, hurricane, or water damage event, homeowners are at their most vulnerable — stressed, time-pressured, and often making rushed decisions. Unfortunately, this creates the perfect environment for predatory contractors and restoration scammers. Here's how to protect yourself.

Red Flag #1: They Knock on Your Door Unsolicited

Legitimate restoration companies don't go door-to-door after storms. "Storm chasers" — contractors who follow major weather events — knock on doors immediately after hurricanes offering dirt-cheap deals. These contracts often include Assignment of Benefits (AOB) clauses that sign your insurance rights over to the contractor, leaving you no control over your own claim. Florida has restricted AOB use for residential property policies (s. 627.7152), but unlicensed operators still use similar tactics.

Red Flag #2: They Ask You to Sign Over Your Insurance Claim

Never sign any document that gives a contractor control of your insurance claim before you fully understand what it says. Ask to have any contract reviewed by an attorney before signing. A legitimate company does not need control of your insurance claim to do its job.

Red Flag #3: No Verifiable License

Florida requires specific licenses for mold remediation (Mold Remediation license), general contracting (CGC or CBC), and other work. Always verify any contractor's license at MyFloridaLicense.com before signing anything. If they can't give you a license number, or if it doesn't verify, walk away.

Red Flag #4: No Written Estimate

Any legitimate restoration contractor provides a written, itemized estimate. If someone gives you a verbal quote on the spot or pressures you to sign immediately, that's a major warning sign. Network pros use Xactimate — the industry-standard estimating software — and provide fully itemized, written estimates before any work begins.

Red Flag #5: Unusually Low Price

If a quote is dramatically lower than others you've received, ask why. Low-ball contractors often cut corners on equipment (using residential fans instead of commercial dehumidifiers), skip post-remediation testing, hire unlicensed workers, or charge for services not performed. Cheap water damage cleanup that leaves moisture in the walls leads to mold — which costs far more to fix later.

Red Flag #6: Pressure to Start Immediately

While it's true that fast response matters after water damage, a contractor pressuring you to sign a contract right now without time to review it is not acting in your interest. Speed of starting work is good. Speed of signing contracts under pressure is a red flag.

How to Vet a Restoration Company

• Verify their license at MyFloridaLicense.com
• Check Google reviews (look for patterns, not just overall star rating)
• Ask for a written, itemized Xactimate estimate
• Confirm they carry general liability and workers' comp insurance
• Ask for their IICRC firm number, if they list one, and check it at iicrc.org
• Ask who specifically will be on-site doing the work

Central Florida Disaster Recovery is a restoration referral service owned by Ryan Solberg; it is not a contractor. Verify any contractor's Florida license at myfloridalicense.com, and ask for proof of insurance. Call or text CFDR at 321-420-7274 to be matched with a restoration company, then run the same checks on that company: how to check any restoration company.