Before you hire a hardscape company
Before you sign, ask each company what goes under the pavers. Ask about the base and prep.
- In Florida, a driveway or walkway installation doesn't need a state DBPR license, but building a structure or doing plumbing work does. Check with your city or county about local licensing.1
- For an outdoor kitchen or fire feature, ask who's handling the gas work.
- If a Florida contractor takes more than 10% up front, they must apply for permits within 30 days and start within 90 days after permits issue, unless you agree in writing to a longer period.2
- For dwellings of up to four units, direct owner-contractor contracts over $2,500 must include the lien-law notice.3
- For a Florida in-home sale, you can cancel until midnight of the third business day after signing.4
- Your Florida HOA can't stop you from hiring a contractor only because they aren't on its preferred-vendor list.5 If it denies a request, it must name the specific rule it relied on.6
Plan for local hardscape permits and weather
In Indian River County and Vero Beach, a driveway in the right-of-way needs Public Works approval, slabs within 12 inches of the house need termite treatment, and jobs over $2,500 need a recorded notice of commencement before the first inspection.78 In unincorporated St. Lucie County, a property on a county road needs a county driveway permit for the connection, and enlarging the parking area on the lot needs a Building Department permit.9 Fort Pierce issues its own driveway, sidewalk and drainage permit.10 Plan around the weather, too. Vero Beach's wet season starts on a median May 26 and its dry season on a median Oct. 19.11 Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30.12 Ask each company which permits your work needs.