Four steps, and exactly when each payment is due

The four steps

1. Walkthrough & Estimate. In person or by video, at least an hour with your project manager. An itemized estimate within 2 business days, held for 30 days. Nothing to pay.
2. Sign & Schedule. We prepare the association package at no charge and apply for the permit within 30 days of the deposit, or after board approval for condos.
3. Build. Floors and paths covered, daily cleanup. Plumbing and electrical roughed in and inspected, then cabinets, countertops, tile, fixtures and paint, with a Friday update each week and a video for owners who are away. Each progress payment comes only after its stage is done.
4. Final Walkthrough & Handover. A joint walkthrough, the punch list done, the permit closed, the notarized final affidavit and lien releases handed over. Only then the final payment.

The payment schedule

Florida law (Statute 489.126) says a contractor who takes more than 10% must apply for permits within 30 days and start within 90 days of the permit. We keep the deposit to 10% or less and still hold ourselves to that clock. Winter-signed, summer-start condo jobs state the dates and you sign that part separately.

Every payment request comes with photos of the finished stage, the passed inspection record where one applies, and lien releases from anyone who sent a Notice to Owner.

Sample bathroom schedule, five payments

1. Signing: deposit 10% or less
2. Demo done, rough plumbing and electrical inspections passed
3. Waterproofing passed and walls closed
4. Tile, vanity and glass installed
5. Final: permit closed, punch list done, affidavit and lien releases handed over

Sample kitchen schedule, five payments

1. Signing: deposit 10% or less
2. Rough inspections passed
3. Cabinets installed
4. Countertops, backsplash and fixtures installed
5. Final: permit closed, punch list done, affidavit and lien releases handed over

Special-order materials, to decide: either Green Home pays until installed, or you pay a share when ordered against the supplier's order and invoice, with the materials labeled in your name.

What we never do

• Take more than 10% before work starts.
• Bill a stage before it is done.
• Charge a fee that is not in the contract or a signed change order.
• Charge you for our own estimating mistakes.
• Hold back the permit closeout to push for payment.

Florida lien law in plain English

Unpaid subcontractors or suppliers can claim against your property (Statute 713.015). Notices to Owner usually arrive within 45 days of a supplier starting and are normal (713.06). A notarized final affidavit comes before final payment. A Notice of Commencement is recorded for jobs over $2,500, and the county wants it before the first inspection on contracts over $5,000; it expires if work does not start within 90 days (713.13, 713.135). Using a loan? Talk to the lender first.