OWNER BUILDER DISCLOSURE STATEMENT PER FL STATUTE 489.103
1. I understand that state law requires construction to be done by a licensed contractor and have applied for an
owner-builder permit under an exemption from the law. The exemption specifies that I, as owner of the
property listed, may act as my own contractor with certain restrictions even though I do not have a license.
2. I understand that building permits are not required to be signed by a property owner unless he or she is
responsible for the construction and is not hiring a licensed contractor to assume responsibility.
3. I understand that, as an owner-builder, I am the responsible party of record on a permit. I understand that I
may protect myself from potential financial risk by hiring a licensed contractor and having the permit filed in his
or her name instead of my own. I also understand that a contractor is required by law to be licensed in Florida
and to list his or her license numbers on permits and contracts.
4. I understand that I may build or improve a one-family or two family residence or a farm outbuilding. I may also
build or improve a commercial building if the costs do not exceed $75,000. The building or residence must be for
my own use or occupancy. It may not be built or substantially improved for sale or lease. If a building or
residence that I have built or substantially improved myself is sold or leased within 1 year after the construction
is complete, the law will presume that I built or substantially improved it for sale or lease, which violates the
exemption.
5. I understand that, as owner-builder, I must provide direct, onsite supervision of the construction.
6. I understand that I may not hire an unlicensed person to act as my contractor or to supervise persons working
on my building or residence. It is my responsibility to ensure that the persons whom I employ have the licenses
required by law and by county or municipal ordinance.
7. I understand that it is a frequent practice of unlicensed persons to have a property owner obtain an owner-
builder permit that erroneously implies that the property owner is providing his or her own labor and materials.
I, as an owner-builder, may be held liable and subjected to serious financial risk for any injuries sustained by an
unlicensed person or his or her employees while working on my property. My homeowner’s insurance may not
provide coverage for those injuries to workers on my property.
8. I understand that I may not delegate the responsibility for supervising work to a licensed contractor who is not
licensed to perform the work being done. Any person working on my building who is not licensed must work
under my direct supervision and must be employed by me, which means that I must comply with laws requiring
the withholding of federal income tax and social security contributions under the Federal Insurance
Contributions Act (FICA) and must provide workers’ compensation for the employee. I understand that my
failure to follow these laws may subject me to serious financial risk.
9. I agree that, as the party legally and finically responsible for this proposed construction activity, I will abide by all
applicable laws and requirements that govern owner-builders as well as employers. I also understand that the
construction must comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, building codes and zoning regulations.
10. I understand that I may obtain more information regarding my obligations as an employer from the Internal
Revenue Service, the United States Small Business Administration, the Florida Department of Financial Services,
and the Florida Department of Revenue. I also understand that I may contact the Florida Construction Industry
Licensing Board at 850-487-1395 or www.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/
for more information
about licensed contractors.
