How to Hire an HVAC Contractor in Florida (Without Getting Burned)

Three quotes for a new system can range from $6,000 to $18,000. Here's how to filter out the bad actors and find a contractor who'll still answer the phone in year five.

By Star Air ConditioningJanuary 20, 20267 min read

After 22 years in Central Florida, here's the checklist we'd run on ourselves before signing a contract.

The non-negotiables

01State license — verify at MyFloridaLicense.com (CAC license, not handyman)
02General liability + workers comp insurance — ask for the certificate
03Manual J load calculation — not 'same size as the old one'
04Written scope: tonnage, SEER2, model #, warranty, permit fee
05Pulls the permit in their name (not yours)
06Itemized warranty: parts (10 yr), labor (1–10 yr), workmanship

Red flags

—Door-to-door or storm-chaser sales
—Pressure to sign 'today only' pricing
—Cash-only or no written contract
—Asks YOU to pull the permit
—Bid 30%+ below everyone else

Frequently asked

Quick answers, straight up.

How do I check a Florida HVAC license?

Go to MyFloridaLicense.com → Verify a License. The license should start with CAC (Certified Air Conditioning) and show 'Active.'