Florida Contractor Deposit Rules (2026): No Cap, but Over 10% Starts a Clock
Florida sets no cap on contractor deposits, but taking more than 10% sets deadlines to apply for permits and start work. Quoted from Fla. Stat. 489.126.
Not legal advice. General information from each state's statutes, checked Oct 20, 2026. Local rules and the facts of your contract can change the answer; for a specific contract, ask a lawyer licensed in your state.
Set the deposit
Every payment tied to a stage
The deposit and payment schedule in the Clamp app: a $1,000 deposit due when the customer signs, then every other payment tied to a stage of the job. $1,000 on this $17,699 bathroom is under every state's cap. Sample data.
What the law says
“Apply for permits necessary to do work within 30 days after the date payment is made”
The maximum deposit, worked
| Contract price | How it works out | Maximum deposit |
|---|---|---|
| $8,000 | More than $800 up front starts the clock | No cap |
| $25,000 | More than $2,500 up front starts the clock | No cap |
| $60,000 | More than $6,000 up front starts the clock | No cap |
Who it covers and the penalty
Covers
Residential repair, restoration, improvement or construction, by anyone receiving the payment, whether or not licensed.
The second deadline
Start the work within 90 days after the date all necessary permits for work, if any, are issued.
The penalty
Graded by the amount received: under $1,000 is a first-degree misdemeanor, $1,000 to under $20,000 a third-degree felony, and $20,000 to under $200,000 a second-degree felony.
Florida deposit questions
Does Florida cap contractor deposits at 10%?
No. A deposit over 10% is allowed; it obliges the contractor to apply for permits within 30 days and start within 90 days after the permits are issued.
Compare other states
How we checked
We read each state's statute or licensing rule on the official legislature or agency site and quote it as written. Where the official site would not load, the row says so and names the copy we read. A state stays "still being checked" until we have read the full rule; we never mark it "no cap" before then. Last checked .
This guide explains what the statutes say. It is not legal advice; for a specific contract, ask a lawyer licensed in your state.