Who Should Install Hurricane Shutters to Ensure Code Compliance?

Last Updated: March 2026
In Florida, hurricane shutters should be installed by a licensed contractor to ensure the installation meets Florida Building Code requirements, passes inspection, and qualifies for wind mitigation insurance credits. While some simpler panel systems can technically be self-installed, the permit, inspection, and insurance documentation process makes professional installation the strongly recommended path for any hurricane protection product.

Under Florida Statute §489.113, anyone engaged in the business of contracting must hold either a state-certified or county-registered contractor license. As of July 2025, the state’s Construction Industry Licensing Board has established a certified specialty contractor category specifically for window and door installation, including hurricane and windstorm protection (§489.113(6)(b)(10)). Contracting without a license on projects over $5,000 is classified as a third-degree felony in Florida, one of the harshest penalties in the nation.

Below you will find answers to additional frequently asked questions from our readers about hurricane shutter installation.

Can a Handyman Install Hurricane Shutters, or Should I Hire a Licensed Contractor?

For permanent shutter systems (Accordion Shutters, Roll Down Shutters, Bahama Shutters, Colonial Shutters, or permanently mounted Hurricane Screens), a licensed contractor is required. These installations involve structural change to your home’s exterior walls, require building permits, and must pass a post-installation inspection by a local building official.

A handyman or homeowner may be able to deploy removable storm panels before a storm using pre-installed tracks and hardware. However, the initial installation of the track system, anchoring hardware, and any structural modifications must be done by a licensed contractor with proper permits.

Here is the practical breakdown:

Task	Licensed Contractor Required?	Permit Required?
Initial installation of any shutter system (hardware, tracks, anchoring)	Yes	Yes
Installing Accordion Shutters, Roll Down Shutters, Bahama Shutters, or Colonial Shutters	Yes	Yes
Installing permanently mounted Hurricane or Lifestyle Screens	Yes	Yes
Deploying removable Storm Panels on pre-installed tracks before a storm	No (homeowner can do this)	No
Deploying Strap and Buckle Hurricane Screens, Slide Hurricane Screens, Easy Hurricane Screen on pre-installed hardware	No (homeowner can do this)	No
Replacing or repairing an existing shutter system	Recommended (may require permit)	Check with local building department

The distinction matters because improperly installed hurricane protection can fail during a storm and become dangerous flying debris. It can also void the manufacturer’s warranty, fail a building inspection, and disqualify you from insurance wind mitigation credits.

What Type of Professional Is Best for Installing Hurricane Shutters?

Florida recognizes several license types that qualify a contractor to install hurricane shutters. According to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), the following license types can perform hurricane protection installation work:

• Certified General Contractor (CGC): Can perform virtually any construction work, including hurricane shutter installation. Valid statewide.
• Certified Building Contractor (CBC): Can perform residential and commercial building work, including shutter installation. Valid statewide.
• Certified Residential Contractor (CRC): Can perform residential construction work, including shutter installation on homes. Valid statewide.
• Certified Specialty Contractor (window/door/hurricane protection): As of 2025, the CILB has established this specialty category specifically covering hurricane and windstorm protection installation.
• County-Registered Contractors: Valid only in the specific county where registered. Confirm with your local building department that the registration covers shutter installation.

For the best results, look for an experienced contractor who specializes in hurricane protection products specifically. A contractor who primarily builds kitchens may hold the correct license but lack the specific experience with shutter track systems, wind-load calculations, and product approval documentation that a hurricane protection specialist handles daily.

Do Insurance Companies or Building Codes Require Certified Installers?

Yes, on both counts.

Building code requirements: The Florida Building Code requires that hurricane protection products be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s approved installation instructions and the product’s Florida Building Product Approval documentation. Both the product and the specific installation method must be approved. A certified product installed using unapproved methods, incorrect hardware, or improper anchor spacing is not code-compliant, even if the product itself is certified.

Insurance requirements: To qualify for wind mitigation credits on your insurance, the installation must be documented on the OIR-B1-1802 Uniform Mitigation Verification form. The inspector verifies not just that the product is installed but that it is installed correctly and carries proper certification. Unpermitted installations, missing product approval documentation, or installations that do not match the approved specifications will not qualify for credits.

Warranty implications: Most hurricane protection manufacturers require professional installation by a licensed contractor to maintain the product warranty. If you install the product yourself or hire an unlicensed installer and the product fails, the manufacturer can deny your warranty claim.

How Does Installer Expertise Affect Hurricane Shutter Performance?

The difference between a properly installed and improperly installed shutter system can be the difference between your home surviving a hurricane and catastrophic structural failure.

Here are the most common installation issues that compromise performance:

• Incorrect anchor spacing: Product approvals specify exact fastener types, sizes, and spacing. Using the wrong anchors or spacing them too far apart reduces the system’s ability to resist wind pressure and can cause the shutter to pull away from the wall.
• Improper wall attachment: Shutters must be anchored into structural framing or masonry, not just into stucco or drywall. An experienced installer knows how to locate studs, verify wall construction, and choose the correct anchoring method for each wall type. 
• Track alignment issues: For Accordion Shutters, Roll Down Shutters, and Slide Hurricane Screens, misaligned tracks can prevent shutters from deploying smoothly or sealing completely. A gap in the track system creates a point of failure where wind can catch the shutter and tear it away.
• Electrical work on motorized systems: Motorized Roll Down Shutters and screens require electrical connections. In Florida, electrical work must be performed by a licensed electrician or a contractor with the appropriate scope of license.
• Missing weather sealing: Penetrations through exterior walls (for tracks, brackets, and fasteners) must be properly sealed to prevent water intrusion. An experienced installer applies appropriate sealant and flashing to maintain the building envelope’s water resistance.

How to Verify a Contractor’s License Before Hiring

Before hiring any contractor for hurricane shutter installation, take these verification steps:

Step 1: Ask for the license number. A legitimate licensed contractor will provide their license number without hesitation. State-certified licenses start with “C” followed by a two-letter trade code (CGC, CBC, CRC).

Step 2: Verify on the official DBPR database. Use the Florida DBPR License Search to confirm the license is active, the type covers hurricane protection work, and there is no disciplinary history.

Step 3: Confirm insurance. Ask for proof of general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. Florida requires contractors to maintain these coverages to protect both the contractor’s employees and your property during the installation.

Step 4: Check references and reviews. Look for contractors with specific experience in hurricane protection products, not just general construction.

Step 5: Confirm permit handling. A reputable installer will pull the building permit on your behalf, coordinate the installation to meet code specifications, and schedule the required post-installation inspection. If a contractor suggests skipping the permit, that is a disqualifying red flag.

This verification process is especially important after hurricanes, when unlicensed “storm chasers” flood into Florida offering fast, cheap installation. The DBPR investigates thousands of unlicensed contracting cases annually, and the consequences for homeowners who hire unlicensed contractors can include voided warranties, failed inspections, and denied insurance claims.

Related Questions About Hurricane Shutter Installation

• Do You Need a Permit to Install Hurricane Shutters in Florida? – Permit requirements, fees, and the inspection process.
• Should I Put Shutters on My House for Hurricanes? – The case for protection based on your risk zone.
• Do Hurricane Shutters Lower Insurance? – How proper installation documentation affects your insurance credits.
• Are Hurricane Shutters Worth the Cost? – Full cost-benefit analysis across all protection types.