Florida final payment affidavit belongs before the last check

The last payment on a Florida repair job deserves a little patience.

Florida’s lien law calls for the contractor to give the owner a final payment affidavit before the owner’s final payment. The paper lists unpaid lienors, or says everyone has been paid. It can point to workers or suppliers who may still have a claim.

That does not make every project simple. Roof, window, water, mold, rebuild, and storm-repair jobs can involve more than one company. A homeowner may see the main contractor every day. That does not mean the owner knows who supplied materials or did part of the work.

Before writing the last check, ask for the final payment affidavit. Match it against every Notice to Owner, then ask for permit status, inspection results, paid invoices, and lien releases that fit the job. If something does not line up, slow the payment down. Then ask the building office, title company, insurer, or a qualified Florida construction attorney what the paper trail means.

This is not about assuming trouble. It is good housekeeping. A clean ending is easier for the owner, the contractor, and anyone who later needs to understand what happened to the house.