Most subcontractors know who the general contractor is on their project. But sub-subcontractors, lower-tier suppliers, and contractors brought in through intermediaries sometimes need to file an NTO without clear GC information.
Why you need the GC's information
Your Notice to Owner must be served on the general contractor as well as the property owner. Sending to the owner without copying the GC can create a deficiency.
How to find the general contractor
Start with the Notice of Commencement. The GC's name, address, and license number should all be listed. If that does not work, ask the subcontractor who hired you, check the job site for posted permits, or search the Florida DBPR contractor database.
What to do if you are running out of time
File your NTO with the information you do have. A timely NTO with incomplete GC information is significantly better than a perfect NTO filed after the deadline. Florida courts have shown some flexibility with technical deficiencies when the filer made good-faith efforts.
Prevent the problem on future projects
Collect NTO information as part of your project onboarding process. Before your crew sets foot on the site, gather the property owner, GC, and surety details. Then file your NTO on day one.
SimpleNTO is a document preparation service, not a law firm. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
