What "CBC" stands for
CBC is a Certified Building Contractor license, issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. "Certified" means it's a state license, good anywhere in Florida, as opposed to a "registered" license that only works in one county or city. A building contractor is licensed to build, remodel and repair homes and commercial buildings up to three stories, including structural work, which is the work a handyman or an unlicensed remodeler isn't allowed to touch.
What it takes to get one
A state exam on construction, business and finance law, proven experience in the trade, a financial review and credit check, a background check, and proof of general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. The license has to be renewed, with continuing education, every two years. Our qualifier is Gio, who has worked in construction since 2004.
Why it matters on your job
- Permits. Moving plumbing, adding circuits, taking out a wall or building a fence usually needs a permit, and only a licensed contractor can pull one. Work done without a permit can hold up a sale or an insurance claim later.
- Insurance. We carry $1 million in general liability coverage, and we'll send you a certificate of insurance before the job starts. If a crew is unlicensed, it's often uninsured, and a fall or a water leak becomes your problem.
- Someone to answer to. A licensed contractor is accountable to the state. Complaints go to the DBPR, and Florida keeps a recovery fund for homeowners harmed by licensed contractors. Unlicensed work has none of that.
- It's the law. Contracting without a license is a crime in Florida, and advertising for that work without a license number is a violation. That's why our number is on this website, our cards and our contracts.
What a CBC doesn't cover, and how we handle it
Plumbing, electrical and roofing each need their own state license. We don't pretend otherwise. On our jobs those parts go to licensed plumbers and electricians we work with regularly, under permit, and inspected. We buy the materials and manage the schedule, so you still deal with one company.
How to verify our license
- Go to myfloridalicense.com and choose "Verify a License."
- Search by license number: CBC1270822.
- Check that the status is Current, Active, and that the name matches VanGon Remodeling Group LLC.
Do the same for anyone else you're getting a quote from. If they can't give you a number, or the number doesn't come up, that tells you what you need to know.
Our warranty
Every job comes with a one-year workmanship warranty, in writing. Showers are built to Schluter's and GoBoard's installation specs, so the manufacturer warranties on those waterproofing systems apply on top of ours.
Questions people ask
Is a CBC the same as a general contractor?
Close. Florida has three "Division I" licenses: General (CGC), Building (CBC) and Residential (CRC). A general contractor can also build structures over three stories. For houses and the kind of remodeling we do, a CBC and a CGC can do the same work.
Does a handyman need a license in Florida?
Not for small repairs like patching drywall or painting. But a handyman can't legally do structural work, plumbing, electrical, or anything that needs a permit. A bathroom remodel that moves a drain needs a licensed contractor.
Can I see your insurance before you start?
Yes. Ask and we'll send a certificate of insurance with you named as the certificate holder.
Who pulls the permit, you or me?
We do, under our license. If a contractor asks you to pull the permit as the homeowner, that's a sign they can't.