TL;DR: Ask for the Florida contractor license number, a written scope that lists specific product approvals, and confirmation that permits will be pulled in your county before any deposit changes hands. Those three things alone filter out most problematic contractors.
Why the Pre-Contract Conversation Matters
A signed contract in Florida is a binding document. Once you have signed and paid a deposit, unwinding a bad agreement is slow and expensive. The questions below are not meant to be adversarial. A qualified contractor will answer most of them without hesitation, because the documentation already exists.
If a contractor cannot answer a question, that is useful information too.
1. Can You Show Me Your Florida Contractor License?
Florida requires anyone replacing windows or doors on a residential or commercial structure to hold a state-issued license. The relevant license types for impact window and door work are a Certified General Contractor (CGC), Certified Building Contractor (CBC), or a specialty glass and glazing license.
Ask for the license number, then verify it yourself at the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). The lookup is free and takes about 30 seconds. Confirm the license is active, not expired or under disciplinary action.
For context, Window Guys of Florida holds Florida licenses CGC1518491 and SCC131151139. The glass and glazing specialty license has been active since 2005.
2. Who Pulls the Permit, and Which Jurisdiction?
In South Florida, building permits for window and door replacements are required in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Martin, and St. Lucie counties. Some municipalities also have their own permitting layer on top of the county.
A licensed contractor should pull the permit, not the homeowner. If a contractor suggests you pull your own permit as an "owner-builder," understand that doing so waives certain contractor liability protections. It can also complicate your homeowner's insurance claim handling later.
Ask: "Will you pull the permit, and in which city or county jurisdiction?" Get the answer in writing in the contract.
For more on what goes into a properly documented installation, see our guide on 8 tips to ensure a flawless impact window installation.
3. What Florida Product Approval Numbers Apply to My Project?
Every impact window and door installed in Florida must carry a Florida Product Approval (FPA) number issued by the Florida Building Commission. The approval is tied to a specific product line, configuration, and size range.
Ask the contractor to identify the FPA numbers for the specific products they plan to install. You can cross-reference those numbers in the Florida Building Commission product approval database.
Why this matters: a product may be approved for one wind zone but not another. A window rated for 130 mph may not meet Miami-Dade High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) requirements, which demand products bearing Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) in addition to the state approval.
If you are comparing product options, our overview of 5 things to look for in new impact windows covers approval considerations in plain terms.
4. Is the Written Scope Product-Specific?
A contract that says "install impact windows" is not a written scope. A proper scope names the manufacturer, model or series, frame material, glass configuration, and the FPA or NOA number.
If the scope is vague, a contractor can substitute a lower-cost product after you sign. Substitution happens. Protect yourself by requiring the exact product to be listed before you agree to a price.
Also confirm whether the scope includes related work: removal and disposal of existing windows, stucco repair around frames, new sill pans, trim replacement, and screen reinstallation. These items are sometimes excluded and then quoted as extras at installation.
5. Does Your Installation Meet the Engineering Requirements for My Home?
Product approval alone does not guarantee a compliant installation. Each window or door must be anchored according to the product's installation instructions and the engineered drawings that accompany the permit.
Ask whether the project will require a site-specific engineer's letter or signed and sealed drawings. For most standard residential replacements, the product's approval documents include installation templates that a licensed contractor can use directly. But high-rise buildings, unusual openings, or projects in HVHZ sometimes require a licensed engineer of record.
Our resource on 6 things you need to know before you install hurricane impact windows covers the engineering documentation layer in more detail.
Compare impact-window options for your project. Request a free estimate
6. What Does the Warranty Cover, and Who Backs It?
Impact windows and doors typically carry two separate warranties: a manufacturer's warranty on the product and a workmanship warranty from the installing contractor. Ask about both.
For the manufacturer warranty, ask what voids it. Common voids include improper installation, use of unauthorized glazing compounds, or failure to follow maintenance guidelines.
For the workmanship warranty, ask how long it runs and what the process is for a warranty claim. A contractor who plans to be in business and stand behind their work will answer this directly.
7. What Is the Payment Schedule, and How Much Is the Deposit?
Florida law regulates how contractors must handle deposits , review the contract terms carefully and consult Florida Statute §489.126 or an attorney for specifics before signing.
Ask for a payment schedule in writing before you sign. Avoid large lump-sum deposits that are not tied to project milestones. Standard payment schedules for window projects often tie payments to delivery of materials, completion of rough inspections, and final inspection sign-off.
8. Who Does the Actual Installation Work?
Some contractors sell the project, then subcontract the installation to crews they do not directly supervise. Ask whether the installation crew are direct employees of the company or subcontractors.
If subcontractors are used, ask whether they are licensed and whether the contractor's general liability insurance covers their work. Unlicensed subcontractors on your property can create liability exposure for you as the property owner if someone is injured.
This connects to a broader point about doing the work right the first time. Our article on why you shouldn't DIY your impact windows outlines the licensing and liability reasons this work requires a licensed crew.
9. Can You Provide Proof of Insurance?
Ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability coverage and workers' compensation. Request that your name and address appear as the certificate holder so you receive notification if the policy lapses.
General liability covers property damage your home might sustain during installation. Workers' compensation covers the installation crew. Without workers' comp, an injured worker can potentially make a claim against your homeowner's policy.
Do not accept a verbal assurance. The certificate is a standard document that any insured contractor can produce quickly.
10. How Does the Final Inspection Work?
A passed final inspection from the building department closes the permit. This is the official record that the work was completed to code. It matters for your homeowner's insurance, for any future wind mitigation inspection, and when you eventually sell the home.
Ask who is responsible for scheduling the final inspection and what happens if the inspector requires corrections. The contract should clarify that the contractor's responsibility does not end at installation. It ends at a passed final inspection.
For homeowners considering how this affects insurance documentation, our page on hurricane impact windows explains how proper installation records connect to coverage requirements.
Bottom Line
The ten questions above are not about distrust. They are about documentation. A licensed, permit-pulling contractor with specific product approvals, verified insurance, and a written scope has nothing to hide from these questions.
If you are ready to have this conversation with a contractor in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Martin, or St. Lucie counties, request an estimate or contact us and we can walk through the project specifics with you. The answers to every question on this list should be available before any paperwork is signed.
Compare impact-window options for your project.
Request a written estimate that identifies the quoted assembly, opening, design pressure, product approval, exposure, installation scope, and applicable project requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Does a window contractor in Florida need a special license for impact windows?
Yes. Work involving window and door replacement on a structure in Florida must be performed by a licensed contractor. Relevant license types include Certified General Contractor, Certified Building Contractor, or a state glass and glazing specialty license. You can verify any license for free through the Florida DBPR website.
Can I pull my own permit as a homeowner for impact window installation?
Florida law allows homeowners to act as owner-builders and pull their own permits, but doing so waives certain contractor liability protections. It can also complicate insurance claims and future wind mitigation inspections. In most cases, having your licensed contractor pull the permit is the safer approach.
What is a Florida Product Approval number and why does it matter?
A Florida Product Approval (FPA) number is issued by the Florida Building Commission and certifies that a specific window or door product meets the state's structural and wind-resistance requirements. The approval is product-specific and tied to size ranges and configurations. Confirming the FPA number before installation ensures the product is legally compliant for your location and wind zone.
How much deposit can a Florida contractor legally request?
Florida law regulates how contractors must handle deposits on residential contracts. Review the contract terms carefully and consult Florida Statute §489.126 or an attorney for specifics before signing. Payments beyond any deposit should be tied to documented project milestones rather than paid upfront. Always get the payment schedule in writing before signing.
What does a passed final inspection mean for my homeowner's insurance?
A passed final inspection from the local building department creates an official record that the work was completed to code. This documentation matters for homeowner's insurance, future wind mitigation inspections, and property transactions. Without a closed permit, an insurer may treat the installation as unpermitted work, which can affect claim handling and policy terms.
Should I be concerned if a contractor wants to use subcontractors for installation?
Not necessarily, but it warrants clarification. Ask whether subcontractors are licensed and whether the general contractor's liability and workers' compensation insurance covers their work. Unlicensed workers on your property can create liability exposure if someone is injured, so confirming coverage before work begins is a reasonable and standard request.