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Frequently Asked Questions

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We offer a wide range of services to meet the needs of our clients. We specialize in new construction, remodeling, and renovation projects for both residential and commercial properties. To know more about our services, please click here.

We have been in the industry for over 30 years, providing top-notch services and exceptional quality work to our clients. With decades of experience, we have the knowledge and expertise to handle any construction project, big or small. 

Yes! We take great pride in our work and are always happy to share examples of our completed projects with potential clients. To see our previous works, please click here. 

Yes, our workers and contractors are licensed and insured in the state of Florida. We believe that safety should always be a top priority and we make sure that all of our workers and contractors are properly licensed and insured to ensure that our projects are completed safely and in compliance with state regulations.

We take great care to ensure that our construction projects are completed to the highest standards of quality. To achieve this, we have several quality control measures in place and we would be happy to discuss this fully on a free consultation call at +1 888 506 4451. 

Please feel free to contact us at +1 888 506 4451 for a free consultation. Our consultation is 100% free and comes with no obligation to commit to our services. 

 

During the consultation, we’ll listen to your needs and preferences and discuss your project in detail. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you create the space of your dreams!

More Questions, Answered

General information about working with a licensed general contractor in South Florida — financing, permits, our process, and storm/insurance basics. For questions about a specific service, see that service’s own page.

Trust & Credentials

1 How can I verify a contractor is actually licensed and insured in Florida?

You can look up any Florida contractor’s license directly through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) at myfloridalicense.com -- search by name or license number to confirm current status, license type, and any disciplinary history. Always verify directly with DBPR rather than relying on a website claim alone.

2 What questions should I ask a contractor before signing a contract?

Ask for their license number (and verify it independently with DBPR), proof of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance, a detailed written scope of work, a payment schedule tied to project milestones (not large upfront deposits), who pulls the permit, an estimated timeline, and how change orders are handled. A contractor who is reluctant to put any of this in writing is a red flag.

3 What makes a good general contractor in Miami?

Look for a current, verifiable Florida license, real liability and workers’ comp insurance, familiarity with South Florida-specific code (HVHZ wind requirements, flood zone rules, county-specific permitting), clear written contracts and payment schedules, and a willingness to show you real past project photos and answer permit/licensing questions directly.

Financing

1 What financing options are available for a renovation?

Common options include a HELOC (home equity line of credit), a home equity loan, a cash-out refinance, a personal loan, or financing arranged directly through your contractor. Each has different rates, terms, and qualification requirements -- a lender or financial advisor can help you compare which fits your project and budget.

2 Can permit, design, or architect fees be rolled into construction loan financing?

Many construction loan products do allow soft costs like permitting, design, and architectural fees to be included in the total financed amount -- this varies by lender and loan product, so confirm with your specific lender what their loan covers before finalizing your budget.

3 Do you offer financing, and how do I apply?

We can point you toward financing partners and help you understand typical options for a project like yours -- reach out through our contact form or call us and we’ll walk you through what’s available for your specific project.

Permits

1 Do I need a permit for my project in Miami-Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach County?

Most structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and roofing work requires a permit in all three counties, even for work inside an existing home. Purely cosmetic work (paint, flooring replacement without subfloor work, cabinet swaps) generally doesn’t -- but the exact line varies by city and project, so it’s worth confirming before starting. We handle permitting as part of our process.

2 How long does it take to get a building permit approved?

It depends heavily on jurisdiction and project complexity -- a straightforward remodel permit might clear review in a few weeks in some cities, while structural changes, additions, or flood-zone requirements can take considerably longer, especially if revisions are requested.

3 What happens if my permit plans get rejected, and how many times can I resubmit?

Rejected plans get a corrections letter listing exactly what needs to change; you revise and resubmit. Most jurisdictions allow multiple review cycles, though each round adds time. Working with a contractor and designer familiar with the specific county’s review process reduces the number of rounds needed.

4 Can I pull my own permit as a homeowner (owner-builder), and what are the risks?

Florida law (Fla. Stat. §489.103(7)) allows an owner to pull their own permit and supervise construction on their own 1-2 family residence, provided they personally sign the application and directly supervise the work -- they cannot delegate that supervision to an unlicensed person. The risk is that you take on full legal and safety responsibility for code compliance, scheduling inspections, and coordinating trades yourself, which a licensed GC normally manages for you.

5 Does my HOA need to approve my renovation in addition to the county permit?

If you’re in an HOA, yes -- typically both. A building permit is a legal requirement confirming the work meets the Florida Building Code and zoning rules; HOA approval is a separate, private, contractual requirement confirming the work meets your community’s design guidelines. Check your HOA’s architectural review process before finalizing plans.

6 What is a Miami-Dade NOA, and do I need one?

A Miami-Dade NOA (Notice of Acceptance) is a product-approval certification confirming a specific building product (roofing material, window, door) has passed High-Velocity Hurricane Zone testing. It’s required for roofing, window, and door products installed in Miami-Dade or Broward County -- installation still has to pass its own inspection separately as part of your permit.

7 When does a project require a structural engineer’s stamp, not just a contractor?

Generally, any work affecting a load-bearing wall, the roof structure, foundation, or overall structural system requires plans sealed by a licensed structural engineer or architect, not just a contractor’s plans. Your local building department’s plan reviewers make the final call based on the specific scope submitted.

Our Process

1 What’s the difference between design-build and hiring a GC and architect separately?

In a design-build arrangement, one company (like Elbaz) handles both design and construction under a single contract -- one point of contact, faster typical timelines, and design decisions made with real-world construction cost in mind from the start. Hiring an architect and a general contractor separately means two contracts and two relationships to manage, which can offer more design-firm choice but typically takes longer to coordinate and carries more risk of scope/budget mismatches between the design and construction phases.

2 Can I live in my house during a renovation?

Often yes for a single-room project like a kitchen or bathroom, with some disruption to that area and adjacent utilities. Whole-home renovations, major structural work, or projects affecting your only bathroom or kitchen may make staying on-site impractical for at least part of the project. We’ll walk through what to expect for your specific scope during planning.

3 What’s the difference between a renovation, a remodel, and a restoration?

A renovation generally means updating or repairing an existing space without changing its layout or purpose. A remodel means changing the structure, layout, or function of a space (like turning a bathtub into a walk-in shower or opening up a wall). A restoration means returning a space to its original condition, often after damage (storm, fire, water) or for a historic property.

4 What’s the best time of year to build or renovate in Florida?

Many South Florida projects are scheduled to avoid the heart of hurricane season (June through November) for exterior and roofing work specifically, since weather delays and material availability can be affected. Interior work is generally less season-sensitive. We can help plan a timeline around your specific project type.

Insurance & Storm Damage

1 Does homeowners insurance cover hurricane and flood damage?

Most Florida homeowners policies cover wind/hurricane damage, subject to your specific policy terms and any separate hurricane deductible. Standard homeowners policies typically do NOT cover flood damage -- that requires separate flood insurance (often through the NFIP). Review your specific policy or ask your agent to confirm what’s covered.

2 What is a wind mitigation inspection, and how much can it save on insurance?

A wind mitigation inspection documents storm-resistant features of your home (hip roof, impact windows/doors, reinforced roof-to-wall connections, sealed roof deck) on the state-standard OIR-B1-1802 form. Florida law requires insurers to apply a premium discount for verified features -- the amount is set by your carrier and varies, with industry sources commonly citing a 20-45% combined-feature range. Ask your agent for your policy’s specific discount schedule.

3 What is Florida’s 15-year roof rule?

Florida law (Fla. Stat. §627.7011(5)) prevents an insurer from refusing to renew a homeowners policy solely because a roof is under 15 years old. For roofs 15+ years old, an independent inspection certifying 5+ years of remaining useful life can preserve renewal on roof-age grounds.

4 What is Florida’s 25% roof replacement rule?

Florida Building Code generally requires a full re-roof to current code if more than 25% of a roof is repaired within 12 months -- with a 2022 exception (Fla. Stat. §553.844(5)) allowing only the repaired portion to meet current code if the existing roof was built or repaired to the 2007 code or later.

5 What is the "50% Rule" for rebuilding or renovating in a flood zone?

This refers to a federal floodplain-management standard (tied to National Flood Insurance Program participation) generally providing that if the cost of improvements or repairs to a structure in a mapped flood zone reaches or exceeds 50% of the structure’s market value, the entire structure must be brought up to current flood-elevation and construction standards. Exact application varies by local floodplain ordinance -- confirm specifics with your local building department before finalizing scope on a flood-zone property.

6 How do I file a hurricane or storm damage insurance claim?

Contact your insurance carrier as soon as it’s safe to do so, document all damage with photos before any repairs, and keep records of any emergency mitigation work (like tarping). We provide photo documentation and repair estimates you can submit as part of your own claim, though filing and negotiating the claim itself is between you and your insurer.

7 Should I hire a public adjuster or go directly through my contractor after storm damage?

That’s a personal decision between you and a state-licensed public adjuster or attorney. A public adjuster (licensed under Fla. Stat. Ch. 626, Part VI) represents policyholders in the claims process; a licensed contractor like Elbaz performs the repair/replacement work and can provide documentation an insurer or adjuster can review. Elbaz does not provide public-adjusting or claims-advocacy services.

Value & ROI

1 What’s the ROI of a renovation project?

Return on investment varies widely by project type, scope, quality of finish, and local market -- kitchens and bathrooms are generally cited as strong-ROI categories nationally, while very high-end or highly personalized finishes tend to recoup a smaller percentage of cost at resale. A local real estate agent familiar with your specific neighborhood can give the most relevant guidance for your property.

Incentives & Regulatory Programs

1 Is the My Safe Florida Home grant still available?

My Safe Florida Home is a state matching-grant program (up to $10,000) for hurricane-hardening work like impact windows, doors, and garage doors, following a free or subsidized wind mitigation inspection. The current cycle is income-restricted and funding runs on annual legislative appropriation, so availability changes through the year -- check current eligibility and status directly at mysafeflhome.com before planning around it.

2 Is there a tax credit or refund for hurricane-hardening upgrades in 2026?

Florida’s HB 7031E (signed June 2026) created a sales-tax refund -- not a point-of-sale exemption -- for impact-resistant windows and doors purchased between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2029, capped at $500 per residence and limited to homestead-exempt property valued at $700,000 or less. You pay sales tax at purchase, then apply to the Florida Department of Revenue afterward for the refund.

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