Contracts are the backbone of business relationships — but when one side fails to follow through, things can unravel quickly. Whether it’s a missed payment, an unfulfilled delivery, or a vendor who simply disappears, business owners in Florida often ask:“Is this a breach of contract, and what can I do about it?” Here’s what every … Read more
Protecting Contractors, Subcontractors, and Property Owners Across Florida In the construction world, even a well-written contract doesn’t guarantee a smooth project. Payment issues, delays, defective work, and scope changes can all lead to one thing: a contract dispute. And in Florida, where construction law is both technical and tightly regulated, having the right legal representation makes … Read more
When it comes to residential remodeling and new construction in Florida, few issues are more critical — and more contentious — than the payment schedule. A well-structured payment schedule protects both homeowners and contractors, ensuring that the project flows smoothly, disputes are minimized, and work gets completed on time. As a Florida construction attorney, I’ve … Read more
Choosing the right contractor can make or break your construction or renovation project. In Florida, hiring the wrong person can lead to unlicensed work, code violations, payment disputes, or even liens on your property. The best protection? Ask the right questions before you sign the contract — not after the problems begin. Here are the top questions Florida property … Read more
If you’re a licensed contractor in Florida planning to operate through a business entity — or help a company get licensed under your certification — it’s essential to follow the correct legal steps to qualify that business. This guide provides a clear two-step overview for properly qualifying a company in Florida: ✅ Step 1: File … Read more
Protecting Your License, Reputation, and Future as a Florida Contractor Serving as a qualifying agent in Florida means more than allowing someone else to use your license—it means assuming legal responsibility for a construction business’s operations. And with that responsibility comes risk. Too many licensed contractors get involved in qualifier relationships without a solid, attorney-drafted agreement in … Read more
Contractors licensed in Florida must ensure that any business they operate or supervise is properly qualified through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Depending on the license type — general contracting, trade contracting, or electrical contracting — different forms are required to establish legal qualification of a business entity under Florida law. This … Read more
Starting July 1, 2025, Florida landlords will have a powerful new tool to streamline communication with tenants: legally recognized electronic notices via email. Under House Bill 615 (HB 615), signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, landlords and tenants can opt to exchange certain rental notices electronically—but only if both parties consent in writing. This long-awaited change modernizes … Read more
Practical Legal Steps to Recover What You’re Owed Late or unpaid invoices are more than just a nuisance—they’re a threat to your cash flow, your ability to operate, and your bottom line. Whether you’re in construction, professional services, distribution, or another industry, Florida businesses have legal tools to collect unpaid balances—but you have to use them … Read more
Recording a construction lien in Florida is a powerful tool—but it’s only the first step. Many contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers mistakenly believe that simply recording a lien will result in payment. In reality, a lien is a legal claim against the property, but you must still take enforcement steps to actually get paid. At Florida Lien Machine, … Read more
Filing a construction lien in Florida can be one of the most powerful tools available to contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers to recover unpaid balances. But Florida’s Construction Lien Law is highly technical—and small errors can completely invalidate your lien rights. If you don’t follow the rules precisely, you may lose the ability to enforce … Read more
Essential Clauses Every Florida Business Should Use to Get Paid Whether you’re in construction, distribution, manufacturing, or professional services, getting paid on time is critical to your business. But too often, Florida businesses extend credit or perform work without the right contract terms in place—and are left chasing unpaid invoices with little legal leverage. As a Florida … Read more
Disputes between general contractors and subcontractors are among the most common legal issues in Florida’s construction industry. From payment delays to scope disagreements, even the most experienced professionals can find themselves in conflict when expectations aren’t clearly set from the beginning. At Douglas Firm, a trusted Florida construction attorney, we represent both contractors and subcontractors in … Read more
Avoiding Risk and Regulatory Problems When Using Someone Else’s License in Florida If you’re a construction business owner in Florida and you’re not personally licensed, one option is to hire a qualifying agent—a licensed contractor who agrees to let your company operate under their license. It’s a common arrangement in the Florida construction world. But it’s … Read more
A well-drafted construction contract isn’t just paperwork—it’s your first and best defense against nonpayment, delays, and costly legal disputes. In Florida, having a legally enforceable contract is especially critical due to the state’s robust lien laws, DBPR licensing regulations, and frequent disputes between owners, contractors, and subcontractors. At Douglas Firm, we help Florida contractors, subcontractors, … Read more
In Florida, a contractor’s license isn’t just a piece of paper—it’s the foundation of your business. A single misstep can lead to complaints, investigations, and even license suspension or revocation by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Fortunately, most common issues can be avoided with proactive compliance. At Douglas Firm, we help Florida … Read more
Understanding License Qualification and the Importance of Doing It Right In Florida, many construction companies operate under a license that doesn’t belong to the owner—but rather to a qualifying agent. This arrangement allows the business to legally perform work that requires licensure, even if the owner or officers themselves aren’t personally licensed. But this setup involves … Read more
Protecting your contractor’s license is protecting your business and future. In Florida, even a single DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) complaint can result in investigations, fines, license suspension, or worse. Many of these complaints arise from avoidable mistakes. Knowing the most common pitfalls can help you stay ahead of the game and safeguard … Read more
Tenant maintenance and repair requests are an inevitable part of managing rental properties in Florida.However, how a landlord responds to these requests — especially when they involve serious repairs — can determine whether the situation resolves smoothly or escalates into habitability claims, withheld rent, or lawsuits. At Douglas Firm, we help Florida landlords manage these situations proactively and legally.Here’s … Read more
When a contract goes sideways, a vendor refuses to pay, or a business deal turns into a legal dispute, many business owners are left wondering:What does litigation actually look like — and how long will it take? Understanding the business litigation process in Florida can help you make informed decisions, manage expectations, and protect your company’s time, … Read more
A Strategic First Step to Recover Unpaid Invoices Before you file a lawsuit, go to collections, or give up on ever getting paid, there’s one move that often works: a strong, attorney-drafted demand letter. For Florida business owners—especially those in construction, professional services, or supply industries—a demand letter is often the most effective way to collect … Read more
When You Must Comply—and When You Don’t If you’re involved in a construction defect dispute in Florida—whether you’re a property owner, contractor, subcontractor, or design professional—Florida Statutes Chapter 558 may apply. This law requires certain parties to send a pre-suit notice of construction defects and give the contractor or responsible party an opportunity to inspect and repair before … Read more
What Florida Contractors and Business Owners Need to Protect Their Interests In Florida’s construction industry, it’s common for a licensed contractor to qualify a company they don’t own. But too often, these arrangements are based on trust, a few emails, or a handshake—without a written agreement. That’s risky for both sides. A Qualifier Agreement isn’t just a … Read more
Understanding the Legal Duties of Qualifying Agents Under Florida Law If you’re a licensed contractor in Florida, you’ve likely been approached by someone asking: “Will you qualify my company so we can operate under your license?” On the surface, it may seem like a simple business arrangement. But the moment you agree to become a qualifier—or … Read more
Evictions in Florida aren’t always as simple as serving a notice and filing paperwork. In many cases, tenants actively participate in the process and raise legal defenses that can delay or even prevent a landlord from obtaining possession of the property. Whether you’re evicting for non-payment of rent, lease violations, or a holdover tenancy, it’s … Read more
What Contractors, Property Owners, and Developers Need to Know Construction liens are powerful tools—but also legal minefields. If you’re a contractor, subcontractor, supplier, developer, or property owner in Florida, chances are you’ll deal with a construction lien dispute at some point. Whether you’re trying to enforce your right to payment or remove a lien that doesn’t belong, … Read more
If you’re a developer in Florida, disputes with contractors aren’t just inconvenient — they can delay projects, increase costs, and threaten your bottom line. From missed deadlines to payment conflicts or construction defects, it’s critical to manage contractor issues proactively and legally to keep your project moving. This guide outlines key legal tips for Florida developers to … Read more
Why Legal Demand Letters Are More Effective—and How We Can Help If you’ve been ignored, underpaid, or wronged by a person or business, you may be considering a demand letter. It’s a smart move—but here’s the truth: a demand letter from a Florida attorney carries far more weight than one you write yourself. Whether you’re trying to … Read more
Not every broken promise is fraud — and not every breach of contract is just a business mistake. In Florida, the line between a breach of contract and business fraud can determine whether you can recover punitive damages, rescind a deal, or hold someone personally liable. If your company has been misled, shortchanged, or outright lied to, it’s important … Read more
A Step-by-Step Legal and Practical Guide for Florida Property Owners Hiring a contractor should move your project forward—not leave you with substandard work, unfinished spaces, or thousands of dollars in damage. Unfortunately, many Florida property owners—both residential and commercial—find themselves asking the same question:“What do I do now that the contractor abandoned the job or … Read more