Choose a professional using evidence
Keep licensing, references, scope and sponsorship separate when comparing providers.
Prepared by Florida Home Buying Network · October 2, 2026. Sources and editorial process
Check the identity and required credential
Match the business and person you intend to hire to the appropriate public licensing record. Check the credential category and current status, then ask the professional how that credential applies to your project. A directory appearance is not an endorsement or a substitute for verification.
Compare written scopes
Ask each candidate to describe the same work, exclusions, expected schedule, payment terms and insurance evidence. Request references relevant to the work, with permission to contact them. Review the actual contract rather than relying on a badge or star rating.
Keep your choice independent
Ask whether any placement or recommendation is sponsored and who benefits from it. Sponsorship does not establish verification or quality. You may choose your own lender, agent and other service providers; using a resource on this site does not require a referral or a purchase.
Your decision checklist
- Identity matched
- Credential checked
- Scope compared
- Insurance evidence requested
- Commercial relationship understood
Official sources
General educational information. Confirm current requirements and property-specific facts with the responsible office or qualified professional. Publication date does not represent a licensed professional’s review.