Does Your Contractor Do the Work or Send Subcontractors? Here’s What to Ask
Key Takeaways
- Most home-improvement contractors use subcontractors — this is legal and common in Florida.
- The contractor’s license (not the crew’s) is what backs your permit and warranty.
- Ask for proof of sub insurance before any work begins — general liability and workers’ comp.
- A Certified General Contractor can pull permits and legally supervise sub crews in-house.
- The right questions upfront protect you from liability and warranty gaps on your project.
The Real Question Homeowners Are Asking
Why This Question Matters Before You Sign
Most homeowners don’t find out a crew was subcontracted until someone knocks on the door they’ve never met.
You hired a contractor. A truck pulls up and the driver’s shirt has a different company name on it. Were you told this would happen? Do those workers carry their own insurance? Who is responsible if something goes wrong?
These are fair questions — and every homeowner in South Florida deserves straight answers before a single window or door is removed from their home. The employee-vs.-subcontractor question isn’t about mistrust; it’s about knowing exactly who is accountable and what protections are in place.
This guide explains how subcontracting works legally in Florida, what protections you have, and the specific questions you should ask any contractor before you sign a contract.
South Florida Context
Why Crew Structure Is Especially Important in Miami-Dade
High-Velocity Hurricane Zone rules and Florida Building Code requirements mean there’s no room for an unlicensed or uninsured crew on your project.
South Florida sits inside the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), a designation that carries some of the strictest construction standards in the country. Under the Florida Building Code, impact window and door installations in Miami-Dade and Broward counties require proper permitting, licensed oversight, and inspections. A permit pulled under a contractor’s license number makes that licensee legally responsible for the work — whether it was performed by their direct employees or a subcontracted crew.
That chain of accountability matters. If an uninsured sub damages your home or improperly installs a product, you could find yourself in a liability dispute with no licensed contractor on the hook. Understanding who is on your job — and how they are covered — is basic due diligence in this market.
How It Actually Works
Employees vs. Subcontractors: The Honest Breakdown
Both models are legal. Neither automatically means better or worse work. What matters is how the contractor manages and vets the people doing the job.
| Factor | Direct Employees | Vetted Subcontractors |
|---|---|---|
| Who pays their wages | The contractor (W-2) | The sub (1099 / contract) |
| Workers’ comp coverage | Employer’s policy | Sub must carry their own |
| General liability | Contractor’s policy | Sub’s policy + contractor’s |
| License responsibility | Contractor’s license | Still contractor’s license |
| Permit pulled by | Contractor | Contractor (same) |
| Warranty backed by | Contractor | Contractor (same) |
The key point: the contractor’s license covers the project regardless of who swings the hammer. Under Florida law, the license holder is the responsible party for the permitted work. That is why vetting the contractor — not just the crew — is your most important step.
What “Vetted” Actually Means
A responsible contractor — whether they use employees or subs — should be able to answer these questions without hesitation:
- Does every subcontractor carry their own general liability insurance?
- Do they carry workers’ compensation, or are they exempt under Florida law? (Sole proprietors in construction can be exempt — ask specifically.)
- Are the subs licensed for the specific trade they are performing?
- Will the contractor provide certificates of insurance for all active subs before work begins?
If a contractor cannot hand you certificates of insurance within 24–48 hours of your request, that is a meaningful gap to note before signing.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Questions to Ask — and What Good Answers Look Like
Use this table as a checklist when you speak with any contractor about an impact window or door project in South Florida.
| Your Question | A Weak Answer | A Strong Answer |
|---|---|---|
| “Will employees or subs do the work?” | “Our guys do everything.” (vague) | Specific answer; explains oversight model |
| “Can I see sub insurance certs?” | “That’s internal info.” | “Yes, we’ll send them before scheduling.” |
| “Who pulls the permit?” | Unclear or “the sub handles it” | “We pull every permit under our license.” |
| “Who backs the labor warranty?” | Points to the sub or manufacturer only | Contractor takes responsibility directly |
| “Are subs licensed for this trade?” | “They’re experienced guys.” | Confirms license type and verification process |
When Using Direct Employees Is the Better Fit
If you want the simplest possible accountability chain and a single insurance policy covering all workers on your property, a contractor who uses only direct employees removes one variable. For straightforward impact window installations, this can make the pre-project documentation process faster. Ask if this is a priority for you and compare what each contractor can provide in writing.
License-Backed Accountability
How Bigfoot Windows & Roofing Approaches This
A licensed contractor, not a lead aggregator — four active Florida licenses, one point of contact.
Certified Residential Contractor CRC1331693
Certified Roofing Contractor CCC1333168
Glass & Glazing Specialty SCC131153098
Miami-Dade · Broward · Palm Beach
Because Bigfoot holds a Certified General Contractor (CGC1531370) license, the company is authorized to coordinate and supervise multi-trade scope — including structural modifications and code-driven work like hurricane strap upgrades — without requiring a separate GC to oversee the project. That means the license holder is accountable for the entire scope of work, not just the window or door portion.
For impact window and door projects in South Florida, Bigfoot pulls permits under its own license numbers and can provide insurance documentation for any crew working on your home before the first day on site. You can verify licenses at any time through the Florida DBPR license lookup.
“If you ask me who is working on your house and why they are qualified, I should be able to answer that question in two minutes — names, license, insurance. If a contractor hesitates on that question, that tells you something.”
President, Bigfoot Windows & Roofing
Product & Crew Standards
What to Expect on a Properly Managed Impact Window Project
For impact window and door installations in Miami-Dade and the broader HVHZ, Bigfoot works with aluminum-framed impact windows from manufacturers including Mr. Glass and ES Windows. Aluminum frames are the preferred choice for South Florida’s combination of heat, humidity, salt air, and hurricane-season wind loads. Thermally broken aluminum frames add an energy-efficiency layer without sacrificing the structural performance aluminum delivers in the HVHZ environment.
Regardless of who installs the product — direct crew or a vetted sub — the permit is pulled under the contractor’s license, the product must carry a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) or Florida Product Approval, and the installation must pass final inspection. Those are non-negotiable requirements of the Florida Building Code that apply equally whether the crew wears the contractor’s logo or their own.
The Process
How a Transparent Contractor Handles Crew Documentation
- Pre-contract disclosure: The contractor tells you — in writing — whether they use employees, subcontractors, or both for your specific scope.
- Insurance certificates: Before scheduling, you receive certificates of insurance for general liability and workers’ comp (or a documented exemption) for every crew that will enter your property.
- Permit pulled by the licensee: The contractor pulls the permit under their own license number. You can confirm this on Miami-Dade’s permit portal or the relevant county system.
- Inspection by the AHJ: The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) inspects the completed installation. This is a code requirement, not optional.
- Warranty in writing: The labor warranty names the contractor — not just the sub or manufacturer — as the responsible party.
If you are financing the project, understanding who carries liability also matters for your lender’s documentation requirements. You can explore project financing options once you have your contractor documentation in order.
Have questions about who will be on your South Florida impact window project?
Who We’re Not the Right Fit For
Being honest about this saves everyone time:
- Budget-only shoppers who need the lowest bid on record. If the only criterion is lowest price and documentation and vetting are secondary, there are lower-priced options in this market. We are not going to be the cheapest quote.
- Projects requiring trades we do not hold licenses for. Bigfoot holds licenses for general contracting, residential contracting, roofing, and glass & glazing. We do not hold electrical, plumbing, or HVAC licenses. Scopes that are primarily those trades should go to a contractor licensed in those specific disciplines.
- Homeowners who need immediate same-week installation. Properly permitted impact window installations in Miami-Dade require permit processing time. If you need an emergency temporary fix before a storm this week, a permitted installation timeline may not match your need.
- Projects outside our South Florida service area. We serve Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Projects further north or out of state are outside our operational footprint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will actually be doing the work at my house — employees or subs?
This varies by contractor and you should ask directly before signing. Both models are legal in Florida. What matters most is that the contractor’s license covers the permitted work, that insurance certificates are provided for every crew on-site, and that the contractor — not just the crew — backs the labor warranty in writing. Ask for documentation, not just a verbal assurance.
How do I know the subcontractors are vetted and insured?
Request certificates of insurance — general liability and workers’ compensation — for every subcontractor before any work begins. A responsible contractor should be able to provide these within 24–48 hours. If they cannot or will not, that is a red flag. In Florida, sole proprietors in construction may be exempt from workers’ comp — ask specifically whether an exemption applies and get that answer in writing.
Am I protected if a subcontractor damages my property?
Generally yes, provided the contractor has adequate general liability insurance and the sub is properly documented. The contractor’s license makes them the responsible party for the permitted work. However, if a sub is working on your property without the contractor’s knowledge or proper documentation, gaps can arise. Always get the contractor’s insurance certificate and confirm it covers damage to your property before work starts.
Does using subcontractors affect the warranty on my impact windows?
The manufacturer’s product warranty covers the product regardless of who installed it, provided the installation followed the product approval requirements (e.g., Miami-Dade NOA or Florida Product Approval). The labor warranty is what can vary. Make sure the labor warranty names your contractor — not just the sub — as the responsible party. A contractor who uses subs can still provide a strong labor warranty; it just needs to be explicit in your contract.
What questions should I ask a contractor about their crews?
Ask: (1) Are your crews employees or subcontractors? (2) Can I see insurance certificates for every crew on-site before work begins? (3) Who pulls the permit — you or the sub? (4) Who backs the labor warranty — you or the sub? (5) Are the subs licensed for the specific trade they are performing? A contractor who answers all five clearly and in writing is one who understands their accountability to you.
Can I verify a contractor’s license myself?
Yes. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) maintains a public license lookup at myfloridalicense.com. You can search by license number or by contractor name. For Bigfoot Windows and Roofing, the relevant license numbers are CGC1531370, CRC1331693, CCC1333168, and SCC131153098. Always verify independently rather than relying solely on a contractor’s self-report.
Does it matter if a subcontractor is a sole proprietor?
It can matter for workers’ comp. Under Florida law, certain sole proprietors in construction may elect to be exempt from carrying workers’ compensation insurance. This means if that worker is injured on your property, your contractor’s policy — or yours — could be implicated. Ask your contractor specifically whether any subs are workers’ comp exempt and confirm the contractor’s own policy provides coverage in that scenario.
Sources & References
- Florida Building Code — Building (7th Ed.), Chapter 14: Exterior Walls / Openings. Florida Building Commission.
- Miami-Dade County Product Control — Notice of Acceptance (NOA) program. miamidade.gov/building
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) — Contractor License Lookup. myfloridalicense.com
- Florida Statutes §440 — Workers’ Compensation Law, including sole-proprietor exemption provisions.
- Florida Statutes §489 — Contractor Licensing; scope of Certified General Contractor and Certified Residential Contractor licenses.
Ready to get specific answers about your South Florida impact window project?
Request a free estimate online or call us directly — no pressure, no vague answers.