If you’re starting a construction project in Florida, you may need to file a Notice of Commencement before work begins. This document identifies the property, owner, contractor, lender (if applicable), and the work being performed. Once you record it with the county, it helps establish important rights and responsibilities under Florida’s Construction Lien Law. You can also learn more about Florida construction liens and how they may affect property owners and contractors.
Many homeowners and contractors search for what is a Notice of Commencement or how to notarize a Notice of Commencement before applying for a building permit. Fortunately, the process is straightforward when you know what information is required.
Need your Notice of Commencement prepared or notarized? PennySmart Group can prepare your document and notarize it at our office, at your location, or online through Florida Remote Online Notarization (RON).
When is a Notice of Commencement required?
Florida law generally requires a Notice of Commencement when the direct construction contract exceeds $5,000. However, if you’re repairing or replacing an existing heating or air-conditioning system, the threshold generally increases to $15,000.
For example, you may need a Notice of Commencement for:
- New construction
- Roof replacement
- Swimming pools
- Room additions
- Major renovations
- Electrical, plumbing, or structural improvements
- Qualifying HVAC replacement projects
Because every project is different, always check with your local building department before work begins.
How do you complete a Notice of Commencement?
Before you sign the form, gather the required information. Most forms ask for:
- The property address and legal description
- A description of the work
- The owner’s name and address
- The contractor’s information
- Lender or surety information, if applicable
- The expiration date
After completing the form, the owner or another authorized person signs it before a notary public. Then, you record the notarized document with the Clerk of Court in the county where the property is located.
How to notarize a Notice of Commencement
Fortunately, notarizing a Notice of Commencement is simple. The signer must personally appear before the notary, present valid identification, and sign or acknowledge the document.
You can complete the notarization in one of three convenient ways:
- Visit the PennySmart Group office by appointment.
- Schedule a mobile notary to meet you at your home, office, or job site.
- Complete the notarization remotely through Florida Remote Online Notarization (RON) using your computer or smartphone.
PennySmart Group can also prepare your Notice of Commencement using the information you provide before notarizing the document.
After the document has been notarized, record it with the Clerk of Court in the county where the property is located. Depending on your county, you may also need to provide a copy to the building department and post it at the job site before the first inspection.
PennySmart Group can help
Whether you’re a homeowner, contractor, or owner-builder, PennySmart Group makes the process easy. We prepare Notice of Commencement forms using the information you provide and notarize them at our office, at your location through our mobile notary service, or online using Florida Remote Online Notarization (RON).
We proudly serve clients throughout Charlotte, Sarasota, DeSoto, and the surrounding Southwest Florida communities.
To learn more about our services, visit:
- Learn about our Notary Services
PennySmart Group is a non-attorney document preparation service. We do not provide legal advice or determine whether a Notice of Commencement is legally required for your project. If you have legal questions regarding Florida’s Construction Lien Law or your legal rights, you should consult a licensed Florida attorney.