How do I choose a contractor?

First, check to see if your contractor is licensed by calling your local Examining Board for licensing and complaint information, or the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, (954) 917-1330.

Ask if your contractor has any unresolved complaints that have been filed against him/her and if the license has been revoked or suspended.

Following your background check, you should:

• Ask your contractor for references
• Check out work done by your contractor with persons for whom he/she has previously performed work.
• Ask how long your contractor has been in the business.
• Check with the Building Department on the contractor's status to pull permits.

Obtain detailed estimates from all contractors for material specifications, how long the job will take to finish and the total cost.

Be suspicious of a contractor who offers the fastest, cheapest job on a “you must act now” basis. This may be an indication of inferior materials and unlicensed work.

Get the proposal, contract or agreement, in writing.

Be wary if you are asked to obtain the building permit.

A licensed contractor, who is in good standing, will always obtain the Permit.

Contact Us with any questions or comments about our Hurricane Preparedness Information.

Hurricane Central Home Page

What should I do before hurricane season starts?

Do I need to protect my home?

Is your garage door Hurricane rated?

Why do I need to replace my garage door with a Hurricane rated garage door?

How important is the garage door to the safety of my home?

What is the HVHZ - High Velocity Hurricane Zone?

What is impact rating and why is impact rating important?

Can I have safety in style?

What is the difference between post reinforcement and built-in reinforcement? (Active vs. Passive)

What is an after-market hurricane post and what is involved in its installation?

Can a post system be integrated into the door design?

What is involved in a post system that a homeowner may purchase as an aftermarket product?

Can a post system be supplied with the door by the manufacturer?

What is the Homeowner Responsibility in a post system?

Are garage door manufacturers and installers responsible for the supporting structure’s ability to resist loads applied via wind loads on garage doors?

Do I need a permit to replace my door?

How do I choose a contractor?

What if my contractor is unlicensed?

What should a contract include?

How do I open my door if the power is out?

What do I do after the storm to open my garage door?

What is the difference between wind speed and wind pressure?

Why are garage doors rated by PSF (pounds per square foot)?

Why are wind pressures better than wind speeds when specifying doors?

Why can’t the industry just supply a 100 MPH door?

What is the difference between design load and test load?

Why are positive and negative wind load values required?

Why are the negative pressures higher for a double story house, versus a single story house?

What is the difference between fastest mile wind speed and three-second peak gust wind speed?

Does orientation of the door, i.e. front-facing vs. side-facing, affect design wind load?

Does house layout configuration affect garage door wind load?

Does the compass direction the door faces affect wind load design?

What high wind events are covered?

What are hurricanes?

Are Hurricanes assigned magnitudes?

What should be in my Hurricane supply kit?

How can I use a generator safely?

What are some of the testing protocols for a hurricane rated garage door?