Guide: How to find and know you're hiring a licensed plumber in Palm Coast.

Hiring a Licensed Plumber and How To Verify in Palm Coast, Florida 

(with state licensing + local permitting, step-by-step)

1) Verify the right Florida license (not just a business card)

Florida plumbing contractors are regulated by the Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) under the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). Look for a Certified Plumbing Contractor license (prefix CFC). “Certified” means they can work anywhere in Florida and have passed state exams and eligibility checks.

How to check: Use DBPR’s public lookup to confirm the license is active, matches the individual/company name, and has no disciplinary red flags. (The Flagler HBA also links directly to the DBPR verifier if you need a quick shortcut.) My Florida License,

| Tip: Older “Registered” (RF) licenses are limited to specific local jurisdictions; for simplicity and mobility, prefer CFC. 

2) Confirm insurance & workers’ comp (Florida construction rules are strict)

• In Florida’s construction industry, any employer with one or more employees must carry workers’ compensation coverage. Ask for a current certificate of insurance and (if they use subs) proof that subs are covered or exempt. (FLDFS, FLDFS, Florida Legislature)

• Verify general liability coverage (ask for limits and the insurer’s contact). While specific liability minimums can vary by carrier/contract, you should see active GL plus workers’ comp (or a valid exemption, where allowed). (FLDFS)

3) Make sure they can pull the permit in Palm Coast

For most plumbing alterations (water heater swaps, repipes, sewer work, gas lines, etc.), the City of Palm Coast requires a permit and inspections. Your plumber—not you—should pull the permit through the city’s ePlanReview portal and schedule inspections. You can also search contractors and permit history yourself. (palmcoast.gov, palmcoastgov.com)

Hint: Palm Coast’s checklist notes that licensed plumbing contractors must submit permit applications and that a Notice of Commencement is required for jobs ≥ $2,500 before the first inspection. Your plumber will handle this, but you can ask about it to spot pros. (docs.palmcoastgov.com)

4) Ask these Palm-Coast-smart questions

• “What’s your CFC license number, and whose name is it under?” (Match it in DBPR.) (My Florida License)

• “Will you be using subcontractors?” If yes, require proof of their workers’ comp/exemption per Florida law. (Florida Legislature)

• “Who pulls the Palm Coast permit and schedules inspections?” Correct answer: the licensed contractor via the city portal. (palmcoastgov.com)

• “What inspections are required for this scope?” (e.g., water heater, gas pressure test, sewer, repipe.) City inspections should appear in the permit record. (palmcoast.gov)

• “What’s your warranty on parts and labor?” Get it in writing, tied to a permitted job and final inspection.

5) Scope, pricing, and proposal essentials

Ask for a written proposal that includes:

• Exact scope (fixtures/lines affected, materials/specs, code compliance details).

• Permit & inspection responsibility (should be the plumber). (palmcoast.gov)

• Total price (labor, materials, permit fees, potential contingencies).

• Timeline (start/finish, inspection milestones).

• Warranty terms (labor + manufacturer warranties).

Avoid “verbal only” quotes for anything beyond minor service calls.

6) Red flags in Flagler/Palm Coast

• Won’t provide a CFC number or the DBPR lookup doesn’t match. (My Florida License)

• Asks you to pull an owner-builder permit to bypass licensing.

• Says “no permit needed” for clear code-triggering work (heater change-outs, gas, repipes, sewer). (palmcoast.gov, docs.palmcoastgov.com)

• No workers’ comp for crews (or vague about exemptions). (FLDFS)

7) Where to self-check quickly (bookmark these)

• DBPR License Lookup: confirm active CFC status + discipline. (My Florida License)

• Palm Coast ePlanReview: see permits/inspections and how they file. (palmcoastgov.com)

• Palm Coast Contractor Search: confirm they’re registered with the City. (palmcoastgov.com)

Copy-and-use checklist

• DBPR license verified (Active CFC: name matches proposal). (My Florida License, MyFloridaLicense)

• Current GL + workers’ comp certificates provided (subs covered). (FLDFS, Florida Legislature)

• Contractor will pull Palm Coast permit and schedule inspections. (palmcoastgov.com)

• Written scope, price, schedule, and warranty.

• References or recent Palm Coast permit numbers for similar work. (palmcoast.gov)

• Payment schedule tied to milestones (never 100% up front).

• Final inspection passed + lien releases (for larger jobs).

To find verified plumbers in Palm Coast Go to our Listed Plumbers where we've already done the research for you,