What's the difference between a general contractor and a handyman?

In Florida, a handyman can legally perform minor repairs and individual non-structural tasks under $1,000 with no permit required. The moment a project requires a building permit, involves structural work, or combines multiple trades, you need a state-licensed contractor (CGC, CBC, or CRC). The dividing line is the permit, not the price.

Should I pay a large deposit upfront?

Florida law caps the upfront deposit on residential work at 10% of the contract price before any materials are delivered or work begins (§ 489.126, F.S.). Any contractor asking for 30%, 40%, or 50% upfront before mobilizing is operating outside that rule.

Do I need a separate architect for a remodel?

Florida requires sealed plans from a registered architect or engineer for most structural work, additions over a certain size, and any change to load-bearing walls. Cosmetic remodels (paint, flooring, non-structural cabinetry) typically do not. A reputable general contractor will tell you upfront if sealed plans are required.

How long do permits usually take in Orlando?

Residential permit turnaround in the Orlando area typically runs 2–6 weeks for additions and major remodels, faster for simple permits like water heaters or windows. Your contractor should give you a realistic timeline based on the current backlog at the relevant Orlando or county building department — not a fixed promise.

General Contracting Contractors in Orlando, FL

Finding a qualified general contracting professional in Orlando is an important step for any home renovation, addition, or new construction project. General contractors coordinate all phases of construction, manage subcontractors, and ensure compliance with local building codes and permit requirements specific to the Orlando metro area.

Orlando's humid subtropical climate and occasional hurricane activity make it essential to work with contractors familiar with the Florida Building Code, which includes strict wind resistance and moisture management standards. Experienced local general contractors understand these regional requirements and can help navigate the permitting process with Orange County and municipal authorities.

This directory currently lists 21 general contracting contractors serving the Orlando area. Browse listings below to compare local options.

General Contracting

Deep Roots Construction

Florida CGC License

★ 5.0 (37 reviews)

General Contracting

JM Construction and Remodeling Florida

★ 5.0 (11 reviews)

239 Glowing Peace Ln, Orlando, FL 32824

General Contracting

Statewide Home Remodeling inc General Contractors Group

★ 5.0 (5 reviews)

5401 S Kirkman Rd #246, Orlando, FL 32819

General Contracting

Nextgen - Premium Pavers Contractor

★ 5.0 (17 reviews)

6153 Metrowest Blvd, Orlando, FL 32835

General Contracting

Steele Construction of Central Florida

Florida CBC License

★ 5.0 (27 reviews)

General Contracting

Standard Construction Services

★ 5.0 (47 reviews)

3267 Bancroft Blvd, Orlando, FL 32833

General Contracting

R&S General Construction Services LLC

Florida CGC License

★ 5.0 (42 reviews)

6000 Turkey Lake Rd suite 207, Orlando, FL 32819

General Contracting

Miller Construction Company

★ 5.0 (3 reviews)

150 N Orange Ave Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32801

General Contracting

Poli Construction Inc.

Florida CBC License

★ 5.0 (8 reviews)

7061 Grand National Dr #112, Orlando, FL 32819

General Contracting

MEC General Contractors - Orlando

★ 5.0 (1 review)

5025 S Orange Ave #102, Orlando, FL 32809

General Contracting

S. A. Casey Construction Inc

Florida CGC License

★ 5.0 (14 reviews)

2822 Commerce Park Dr Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32819

General Contracting

Advance Design & Contractors Inc

Florida CBC License

★ 5.0 (63 reviews)

2100 N Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32826

General Contracting

S.O.S. Contractors, L.L.C.

★ 5.0 (25 reviews)

4900 Fiji Cir, Orlando, FL 32808

General Contracting

All Construction Services of Central Florida INC

★ 5.0 (39 reviews)

General Contracting

Wolfpack Construction

Florida CGC License

★ 4.9 (72 reviews)

2302 Mercator Dr, Orlando, FL 32807

General Contracting

Reis Construction USA LLC

★ 4.9 (61 reviews)

7680 Universal Blvd #100, Orlando, FL 32819

General Contracting

Prime Construction

★ 4.9 (73 reviews)

7922 Kingspointe Pkwy ste 110, Orlando, FL 32819

General Contracting

Florida Remodeling Contractors

★ 4.9 (37 reviews)

25 Drennen Rd #6, Orlando, FL 32806

General Contracting

Sovanic, Inc.

Florida CGC License

★ 4.8 (24 reviews)

4700 Millenia Blvd Ste 175, Orlando, FL 32839

General Contracting

Details Construction Group

★ 4.8 (38 reviews)

390 N Orange Ave #2300, Orlando, FL 32801

General Contracting

One Call Construction

★ 4.8 (90 reviews)

3101 Maguire Blvd Suite 252, Orlando, FL 32803

General Contracting

NOK Construction

★ 4.8 (141 reviews)

2750 Taylor Ave a 27, Orlando, FL 32806

General Contracting

Venue Construction Group

Florida CBC License

★ 4.8 (16 reviews)

4767 New Broad St Suite 317, Orlando, FL 32814

General Contracting

Cordova Construction Group LLC

★ 4.7 (14 reviews)

520 E Church St, Orlando, FL 32801

General Contracting

McCree General Contractors & Architects

Florida CGC License

★ 4.7 (28 reviews)

500 Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803

General Contracting

CDS Contractors Inc.

★ 4.6 (41 reviews)

7436 Narcoossee Rd, Orlando, FL 32822

General Contracting

Hembree Construction

★ 4.6 (7 reviews)

4397 36th St, Orlando, FL 32811

General Contracting

Harbco General Contractors

Florida CGC License

★ 4.6 (16 reviews)

3700 34th St Suite 300, Orlando, FL 32805

General Contracting

Hunter Contractors, LLC

Florida CGC License

★ 4.6 (30 reviews)

100 E Pine St #110, Orlando, FL 32801

General Contracting

AFS Orlando General Contractors

★ 4.6 (22 reviews)

3416 Shader Rd #100c, Orlando, FL 32808

General Contracting

Construemax Property Restoration & General Contractor

★ 4.5 (81 reviews)

325 N Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL 32805

General Contracting

Orlando Construction, LLC

★ 4.5 (15 reviews)

5004 Patch Rd, Orlando, FL 32822

General Contracting

H. J. High Construction

★ 4.2 (10 reviews)

1015 W Amelia St, Orlando, FL 32805

General Contracting

Andrew General Contractors, Inc.

Florida CGC License

★ 4.2 (10 reviews)

2301 Mercator Dr, Orlando, FL 32807

General Contracting

Hoar Construction - Orlando Office

★ 4.1 (11 reviews)

111 N Orange Ave #1150, Orlando, FL 32801

General Contracting

Orlando Construction

★ 4.0 (4 reviews)

General Contracting

DPR Construction

★ 3.9 (31 reviews)

315 E Robinson St UNIT 100, Orlando, FL 32801

General Contracting

Turner Construction Company

★ 3.9 (22 reviews)

135 W Central Blvd #950, Orlando, FL 32801

Hiring a general contracting contractor in Orlando, FL

A general contractor in Orlando, FL is the right hire when your project touches structure, multiple trades, or anything requiring a building permit beyond a single sub-trade — home additions, full remodels, garage conversions, ADUs, and major renovations. The directory below lists active general contractors so you can shortlist by location, then verify each one's Florida license before signing.

In Florida the general contractor of record is legally responsible for the permit, the inspections, and the trades they bring onto your job — which is why hiring an unlicensed "handyman" for a permitted project leaves you, the homeowner, holding the liability if something goes wrong.

How to verify a general contracting contractor's license in Florida

Look for license type: CGC — Certified General Contractor

Go to myfloridalicense.com, the official Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) portal, and use "Verify a License." Search by the contractor's business name, the qualifier's individual name, or the license number itself. Confirm the license type is "CGC — Certified General Contractor," the status reads "Current, Active," the expiration date is in the future, and there is no disciplinary or complaint history attached to the record.

CGC is the broadest residential/commercial certification. You may also see CBC (Certified Building Contractor — limited to structures 3 stories or less and 20,000 sq ft or less) or CRC (Certified Residential Contractor — 1- and 2-family dwellings only). All three are valid for most home projects; the difference is scope.

Verify a license at myfloridalicense.com →

Why verifying matters in Florida

Florida law (§ 489.127, F.S.) makes it a third-degree felony to contract without a license on a project valued at $5,000 or more, or any size project during a declared state of emergency. Verifying licensure before you sign a contract is the single most important step you can take to protect your home and your deposit. Central Florida's hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and unlicensed storm-chasing crews routinely move through Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties after a major event. Confirming an active state license — and an in-state business address you can actually drive to — keeps you out of that risk pool. Generals coordinate every other trade on your project, so a missing or expired license here cascades into uninsured subs and uninspected work.

Questions to ask before you hire

Will you pull the permit in your company's license, and can you give me the permit number once it's filed?
Can I see your current Certificate of Insurance — general liability and workers' compensation — listing me as certificate holder?
Who is the project manager I will actually talk to day-to-day, and how often will I get written progress updates?
What is your draw schedule, and is the final draw tied to passing the final inspection and a punch list being closed?
Which subcontractors will you bring onto the job (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing), and are they all separately licensed in Florida?

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between a general contractor and a handyman?: In Florida, a handyman can legally perform minor repairs and individual non-structural tasks under $1,000 with no permit required. The moment a project requires a building permit, involves structural work, or combines multiple trades, you need a state-licensed contractor (CGC, CBC, or CRC). The dividing line is the permit, not the price.
Should I pay a large deposit upfront?: Florida law caps the upfront deposit on residential work at 10% of the contract price before any materials are delivered or work begins (§ 489.126, F.S.). Any contractor asking for 30%, 40%, or 50% upfront before mobilizing is operating outside that rule.
Do I need a separate architect for a remodel?: Florida requires sealed plans from a registered architect or engineer for most structural work, additions over a certain size, and any change to load-bearing walls. Cosmetic remodels (paint, flooring, non-structural cabinetry) typically do not. A reputable general contractor will tell you upfront if sealed plans are required.
How long do permits usually take in Orlando?: Residential permit turnaround in the Orlando area typically runs 2–6 weeks for additions and major remodels, faster for simple permits like water heaters or windows. Your contractor should give you a realistic timeline based on the current backlog at the relevant Orlando or county building department — not a fixed promise.