Building Inspections in Florida: What to Expect and How Private Providers Work

Inspections are where the permit pays off for you as a homeowner: an independent inspector checks work you probably can't evaluate yourself, at the moments when problems are still visible.

Common inspection stages

The exact list depends on the project, but Florida remodels typically see some of these:

• Footings or foundation, before concrete is poured (additions, decks, enclosures)
• Underground plumbing, before a slab is patched
• Framing and structural, including hurricane straps and connections, before drywall
• Rough electrical, plumbing and mechanical, before walls are closed
• Roof sheathing and dry-in, before the roof covering goes on
• Windows and doors, checking the installation matches the product approval
• Insulation, where required
• Final, when the work is complete

Your permit card lists the inspections. Keep it posted where inspectors can see it, and don't let anything be covered until it has passed.

Need a contractor for this project?Find a Contractor

Failed inspections

A failed inspection isn't unusual, and it's much better than a hidden defect. The inspector lists what needs to be corrected, the contractor fixes it, and a re-inspection is scheduled. Tie your progress payments to passed inspections where possible; see renovation contract checklist.

Private providers

Florida's private provider law (section 553.791) lets you use a licensed private provider, such as a licensed building code administrator, inspector or engineer, for plan review and inspections instead of the building department's staff:

• The owner, or the contractor with the owner's written authorization, chooses the private provider.
• The building official must be notified in writing when you apply for the permit, or by 2 p.m. two business days before the first scheduled inspection.
• The local government must reduce the permit fee to reflect the services it no longer provides. Reductions vary; the City of Miami, for example, has published reductions of up to one-third of the building department portion for plan review and inspections. HB 803 (2026) set minimum fee reductions, mainly for commercial projects, so ask your building department how fees are reduced for a home project.

Private providers can speed things up on larger projects, especially when building departments are busy after storms. They cost money, so compare their fee with the permit fee reduction and the time saved.

Closing out your permit

When the final inspection passes, the permit should show as finaled or closed in the building department's records. Check the online status, save a copy, and keep it with your Notice of Commencement and lien releases. Open permits regularly come up when you sell, and they can complicate insurance claims.

For timing, see how long renovations take in Florida. For permit basics, read building permits in Florida.