Can a General Contractor Do a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
Can a General Contractor Do a Wind Mitigation Inspection?
Quick Answer
Yes – a Florida general contractor licensed under section 489.111, Florida Statutes, may perform a wind mitigation inspection and sign the Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form. Under Florida Statutes section 627.711, the authorized signer must personally inspect the structures and certify or attest to that inspection, subject to a limited employee exception. A section 489.111 licensee may authorize a direct employee – not an independent contractor – with the requisite skill, knowledge, and experience to conduct the inspection. An insurer must accept a properly signed form from an authorized inspector, but may require independent verification at its own expense before acceptance, subject to the Citizens exception described below. Before you pay for an inspection during your purchase, ask the contractor who will inspect the property and who will sign the form. Call me at 941.400.8735 or reach out directly to Michael Renick – I’ll share my approach with you.
Can your Florida general contractor perform and sign a wind mitigation inspection?
Yes, a general contractor licensed under section 489.111 is an authorized mitigation inspector under Florida Statutes section 627.711 and may sign the uniform form. The signer must personally inspect the structures and certify or attest to personal inspection, except that a section 489.111 licensee may authorize a direct employee – not an independent contractor – with the requisite skill, knowledge, and experience to conduct the inspection.
Your hiring decision should address both the contractor’s license and the inspection arrangement. Ask the contractor to identify the license they hold, the person coming to your property, and the person signing the form.
Mike Renick and Eric Teoh have been 5 star Realtors for many, many years. Both individuals have been cooperative and pleasant to any of my requests. While I am away from my Longboat residence Eric has willingly checked on the conditions and status of our unit. I would highly recommend both for real estate needs.
– Peter Cutler, Google Review
Under section 627.711(9), an insurer may independently verify the form’s accuracy at its own expense before accepting it. Citizens may not require that verification when the authorized inspector’s form was reviewed and verified through a Citizens-approved quality-assurance program before submission and no material structural changes have occurred during the form’s term. A qualified signer therefore does not eliminate every insurer verification step.
What the employee exception allows
The exception is specific: the person conducting the inspection for a section 489.111 licensee must be a direct employee, must not be an independent contractor, and must possess the requisite skill, knowledge, and experience.
If someone other than the signing contractor will visit your property, ask the contractor whether that person meets each condition. Do not assume that anyone sent by the contractor falls within the exception.
Which wind mitigation form to request
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation identifies OIR-B1-1802 as the form an authorized inspector completes during a wind mitigation inspection. As of October 3, 2026, its resource page lists the version effective April 1, 2026 as the current form.
Ask your inspector to confirm that they will use that version.
My home buying experience with Mike and Eric continues to exceed my expectations, even long after the sale. Not only did they deal with me honestly and efficiently for the sale itself, their service didn’t stop there. They continue to keep an eye on my condo when I’m not there and have even referred rental clients to me, which has worked out very well! This is well beyond the norm in the real estate industry. Good, old fashioned service. I will be calling them again for my next purchase, for sure!
– ppugielli, Zillow Review
Let’s continue this conversation.
Call me at 941.400.8735 or schedule a 15-minute call. I’ll tell you what I would look for.
Call 941.400.8735 or Schedule a Call
Questions Clients Actually Ask
Can an independent contractor inspect under the employee exception?
No – the exception in Florida Statutes section 627.711 expressly excludes independent contractors. It permits a section 489.111 licensee to authorize a direct employee who has the requisite skill, knowledge, and experience to conduct the inspection.
Must your insurer accept a general contractor’s wind mitigation form?
The acceptance requirement applies to a properly signed form from an authorized inspector, including a qualifying section 489.111 general contractor. Section 627.711(9) nevertheless permits independent verification at the insurer’s expense before acceptance, with the Citizens quality-assurance and no-material-structural-change exception explained above.
What To Do Right Now
Before paying, ask your contractor to confirm their section 489.111 license, who will conduct the inspection, and – if they are using the employee exception – whether that person meets every condition above.
Get my weekly Market Update — I track what is actually happening in Florida: pricing, inventory, insurance problems, and deals falling apart. Subscribe here
Michael Renick · Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
License #BK3241900 · Verify on Florida DBPR
Mangrove Realty Associates Inc / Team Renick · Serving Sarasota & Manatee Counties since 2011
About the Author
I’m Michael Renick — a Florida West Coast broker with over 15 years guiding families through some of the biggest decisions of their lives. I’ve built my practice on hard work, honesty, and total transparency. No shortcuts, no spin — just straight answers, deep market knowledge, and the dedication my clients deserve from start to close.
Equal Housing Opportunity. This article is general information only, not legal, tax, insurance, or financial advice. Market conditions, insurance requirements, and costs vary by property and transaction; confirm your specific situation with the appropriate licensed professional. Michael Renick, Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker, License #BK3241900, licensed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Mangrove Realty Associates Inc — each office is independently owned and operated.
To search for local properties: search.teamrenick.com
To read more insights: gulfcoastdecoded.com
