Real Questions.
Straight Answers.

Yes. Florida law requires any contractor performing work planned to become a finished part of a structure — when the total cost exceeds $500 — to be licensed by the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). This includes general contractors, roofers, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians. Working without a license is a first-degree misdemeanor with penalties of up to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Visit myfloridalicense.com and search by license number or contractor name. This shows you the license status, expiration date, any disciplinary actions, and the exact scope of work the license covers. Always verify before signing any contract. Tilart Inc. License: CGC1540636.

Certified contractors are licensed statewide and can work anywhere in Florida. Their license is issued by the state DBPR. Registered contractors are licensed only in specific counties or cities. Tilart Inc. holds a state-certified license (CGC1540636), meaning we can legally work on any project anywhere in Florida.

Hiring an unlicensed contractor exposes you to serious risks: work that cannot pass inspection, voided homeowner's insurance, liens on your property from unpaid subcontractors, no recourse through the state licensing board, and potential fines. In Florida, knowingly hiring an unlicensed contractor can also result in penalties for the property owner.

A lien waiver is a legal document in which a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier confirms they have been paid and waives their right to file a mechanic's lien against your property. Without lien waivers, even if you paid your general contractor in full, subcontractors who were not paid by the GC can still place a lien on your property. Always request lien waivers at each payment milestone.

Most construction work in Florida requires a permit — including structural work, roofing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, pools, additions, and renovations. Work without a permit can result in fines, stop-work orders, required demolition of unpermitted work, and problems when selling your property. Tilart Inc. pulls all required permits and manages the entire inspection process on behalf of our clients.

At minimum, a licensed Florida contractor should carry: General Liability Insurance (protects against property damage and bodily injury) and Workers' Compensation Insurance (protects workers injured on the job — required by Florida law for contractors with employees). Always ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before work begins and verify the coverage is current.

We build and renovate all types of commercial properties: office buildings, medical offices, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, churches, warehouses, retail spaces, shopping centers, restaurants, industrial facilities, and mixed-use developments. We also handle large institutional projects like transit stations and public facilities.

For commercial projects, the owner or developer typically shares architectural drawings and project specifications. General contractors review the documents, estimate all labor, materials, subcontractor costs, and overhead, then submit a formal bid. Tilart provides detailed, itemized bids so you can see exactly what you're paying for. We recommend getting at least 3 bids to compare — not just on price, but on scope completeness and contractor experience.

A tenant improvement (TI) buildout is the construction work done to customize a commercial space for a specific tenant — offices, medical suites, retail stores, restaurants, etc. This typically includes partitions, flooring, ceiling, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and finishes. Tilart handles TI buildouts of all sizes and has deep experience with medical office, retail, and professional office configurations.

Commercial construction costs in Florida vary widely by project type and finish level. General ranges as of 2025: Basic warehouse or shell: $80–$150/sq ft. Standard office buildout: $80–$180/sq ft. Medical office: $150–$300/sq ft. Retail: $100–$250/sq ft. High-end institutional (nursing homes, hospitals): $250–$500+/sq ft. These are estimates — contact us for a project-specific assessment.

Yes. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires all commercial facilities open to the public to meet accessibility standards. This includes accessible entrances, restrooms, parking, signage, and pathways. Tilart ensures full ADA compliance on all commercial and government projects, coordinating with architects and building inspectors throughout the process.

Yes. Phased construction — working around an active business — requires careful planning and scheduling. We've done this for county buildings, medical offices, and retail locations. We coordinate work hours, dust barriers, temporary signage, and phased access to minimize disruption to your operations and customers.

Custom home construction in Florida typically ranges from $150 to $400+ per square foot, depending on location, finishes, and complexity. A 2,500 sq ft home might cost $375,000 to $700,000+ to build, not including land. South Florida (Miami, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale) tends to be at the higher end due to higher labor and material costs. We provide detailed cost breakdowns before any contract is signed.

Kitchen remodel costs in Florida vary based on scope and finish level. Minor refresh (paint, hardware, appliances): $5,000–$15,000. Mid-range remodel (new cabinets, counters, fixtures): $25,000–$60,000. High-end gut renovation with custom cabinetry and premium appliances: $60,000–$120,000+. Tilart handles kitchen remodels at every level — from a simple update to a complete layout change.

Bathroom remodel costs depend heavily on size and finish level. A basic guest bath update runs $5,000–$12,000. A standard full bathroom remodel is typically $12,000–$30,000. A master bathroom with custom tile, frameless glass, and freestanding tub can run $30,000–$70,000+. Every Tilart bathroom project is finished to a standard where nothing is left looking "close enough."

Roof replacement in Florida typically costs $8,000–$25,000 for an average-sized home, depending on roof size, material (asphalt shingle, metal, tile), and complexity. Florida's hurricane requirements affect both material specs and installation standards. Note: Florida law now requires contractors to include specific insurance-related language in all roofing contracts for residential properties.

A standard inground pool in Florida costs $45,000–$85,000 for a basic gunite pool with deck. Adding features like a spa, waterfalls, sun shelf, or premium deck materials can push costs to $100,000+. Pool construction requires permits and must meet Florida Building Code requirements. Tilart handles pool construction as part of a full residential project.

Yes, most remodeling work in Florida requires a permit — including structural changes, electrical work, plumbing changes, HVAC modifications, roofing, additions, and window replacements. Cosmetic work like painting, flooring, and cabinet replacement typically does not require a permit. Tilart handles all permit applications and inspections so you don't have to.

Timeline depends on project scope. Bathroom remodel: 2–5 weeks. Kitchen remodel: 4–8 weeks. Full home renovation: 3–6 months. Custom home ground-up: 10–18 months. Permit processing times in Florida vary by county and can add 2–8 weeks before construction begins. Tilart submits permits as early as possible and sequences work to minimize total project time.

Government construction contracts in Florida are awarded through competitive bidding. Public agencies issue an Invitation to Bid (ITB) or Request for Proposal (RFP) describing the project scope. Contractors review the documents, prepare a formal bid, and submit it by the deadline. The agency typically awards to the lowest qualified bidder for ITBs, or evaluates best value for RFPs. Tilart has direct experience preparing and submitting government solicitations for county, municipal, and law enforcement agencies.

Florida government bids are published on: DemandStar (demandstar.com), MyFloridaMarketPlace (myfloridamarketplace.com), individual county and city procurement portals, and the Florida Division of Emergency Management for disaster-related contracts. Tilart monitors these sources actively and has experience responding to solicitations at the county, municipal, and state level.

At minimum, government contractors in Florida need a valid state contractor license, general liability insurance, workers' compensation insurance, and a clean license record with no disciplinary actions. Some projects require additional certifications such as OSHA 30, bonding (performance and payment bonds), E-Verify compliance, and minority or small business certifications. Tilart maintains all required credentials for public sector work.

A performance bond is a surety bond that guarantees the contractor will complete the project according to contract terms. If the contractor defaults, the bonding company steps in to complete the work or compensate the owner. Florida requires performance bonds on most public construction contracts over $100,000 (per Florida Statute 255.05). Many government agencies also require payment bonds to protect subcontractors and suppliers.

Tilart has experience with police department facilities, county administration buildings, municipal offices, public works facilities, transit stations, and public infrastructure projects. Our founder's background includes leading government contract solicitations for a large construction firm — giving us deep insight into what public agencies expect from contractors in terms of documentation, compliance, and delivery.

Yes. Federal projects typically require SAM (System for Award Management) registration and may require additional certifications depending on the agency and project type. Tilart is experienced with the compliance and documentation requirements of public-sector work at the county, state, and federal level. Contact us to discuss your specific federal project requirements.

General contractors typically use one of three pricing models: Fixed-price (lump sum) — a single total for the defined scope. Best for well-defined projects. Cost-plus — actual costs plus a contractor fee (percentage or fixed). Best for projects where scope may evolve. Time & materials — hourly labor plus material costs. Best for small projects or undefined scopes. Tilart uses fixed-price bids for most projects, giving you cost certainty from day one.

In Florida, the law limits the initial deposit for home improvement contracts to 10% of the total contract price, or $1,000 — whichever is less — unless the contractor has a surety bond or the materials have been ordered. For commercial projects, a reasonable deposit is typically 10–20% to cover mobilization and material ordering. Be very cautious of contractors requesting 50%+ upfront — this is a red flag.

A solid construction contract should include: detailed scope of work, project timeline with start and completion dates, payment schedule tied to milestones, list of materials and specifications, change order process and pricing, warranty information, contractor's license number and insurance details, and dispute resolution process. Never start work on a handshake — everything must be in writing.

A change order is a written amendment to the original contract that documents a change in scope, cost, or timeline. Any modification to the original agreed scope — whether requested by the owner or necessitated by unforeseen conditions — should be documented as a change order before the work is done. Tilart never performs out-of-scope work without a signed change order, and we provide clear pricing before proceeding.

Yes — we recommend getting at least 3 bids for any significant project. But compare bids carefully: make sure they cover the same scope, materials, and specifications. A bid that's significantly lower than others often means something was left out of scope, cheaper materials were assumed, or the contractor is underpricing to win the job and will make it up in change orders. Tilart's bids are comprehensive and itemized — so you know exactly what's included.

Yes. Florida law requires contractors to warrant their work, and Tilart stands behind everything we build. Warranty coverage varies by project type and scope and is specified in the contract. Beyond legal requirements, our standard is simple: if something we built or installed fails due to workmanship, we fix it. We're not the type of contractor that becomes unreachable after the job is done.

Step 1 — Request a Quote: Submit your project info via our contact form, email, or phone. Step 2 — Site Evaluation: We visit the site and review the full scope of work. Step 3 — Detailed Estimate: We provide a written, itemized bid with clear pricing. Step 4 — Scheduling: We coordinate permits, crews, and materials before day one. Step 5 — Construction: We execute with quality control and regular client updates. Step 6 — Final Delivery: Walkthrough, punch list completion, and project handover.

Permit processing times vary by county and project complexity. Simple residential permits: 1–3 weeks. Complex residential or small commercial: 3–6 weeks. Large commercial or government projects: 6–12 weeks or more. Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties tend to have longer processing times than smaller counties. Tilart submits permit applications as early as possible to minimize delays.

Hidden conditions — like mold, structural damage, outdated wiring, or plumbing issues — are discovered during demolition or early construction phases. When this happens, we stop, document the finding, explain it to you in plain language, and provide options with clear pricing before proceeding. Nothing is done without your approval. We do not present surprises at the end of a job.

You will always know the status of your project. Tilart provides regular updates throughout construction — at minimum at each major milestone. You have direct access to us by phone and email throughout the project. We believe the worst thing a contractor can do is go silent. If something changes — schedule, scope, or conditions — you hear about it from us first.

The final walkthrough is a formal review of all completed work with the client before final payment. We walk through the entire project together, identify any items that need correction (the "punch list"), and schedule their completion. Final payment is due after all punch list items are resolved and you are satisfied with the result. We do not consider a project closed until you do.

Absolutely. We encourage clients to visit at key milestones — after framing, rough-in MEP, drywall, and finishes. Site visits help you verify progress, ask questions, and catch any concerns early. We only ask that you coordinate visits in advance for safety reasons and to ensure the site is properly prepared for your arrival.