Is it normal for a contractor to revise a permit without telling the homeowner?

Photocopying a notarized signature onto a permit revision is blatant **fraud** and is absolutely not legal in Florida. A notary seal is specific to the document being signed at that exact moment. If they manipulated those forms to remove openings from the official scope, they did it to close out the permit without having to show the inspector the windows they haven't finished. This is a huge red flag that they either ordered the wrong sizes or don't want to pay for the necessary structural mullions. Don't even consider the off-permit installation. In South Florida, impact windows are strictly regulated, and you need that final signed-off inspection for your wind mitigation credits on your homeowners insurance. If you let them finish off-book, you're essentially inheriting a code violation. When you go to sell the house or renew your insurance policy, you’ll be the one paying thousands to fix their mess.

The "not up to code" line is a classic stall tactic. If the inspector mentioned mullbars, it means the windows they have on-site aren't configured correctly for the opening's wind load requirements. They likely realized they'd have to reorder expensive units and decided to ghost you instead of eating the cost. Since you paid in full allready, they have zero financial incentive to make it right.

Your next step is to head down to the building department in person and ask for the Building Official. Show them the altered permit documents and explain that the signature was forged for the revision. Then, file a formal complaint with the **DBPR** (Department of Business and Professional Regulation). They can go after the contractor's license, which is often the only leverage you have left besides a lawsuit. You should also check if your county has a local Construction Industry Licensing Board where you can file a grievance.

Paying $29k cash upfront means you've got zero leverage now. It's a nightmare, but you shold look into the Florida Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund. If they're licensed, you might be able to get some of that money back since they've basically abandoned the job. Also, don't forget that if the permit expires, the city might make you bring the whole house up to the newest code, not just the windows. It’s a total mess, but don't let 'em do anything off-book or you’re screwed on insurance.

Wait, have you ruled out a clerical mess-up before jumping to full-blown fraud? I've seen offices in SoFlo use digital signature templates that look like bad photocopies when they're just lazy with the PDF. Also, on those mullbars—are you sure the manufacturer's NOA actually allows the fix the inspector suggested? Sometimes an inspector says 'just add a bar' but if it's not in the specific product approval, the contractor can't legally install it that way. They might be ghosting because they’re stuck between a city requirement and a manufacturer limitation they can't solve.

They likely pulled those six openings because the DP (Design Pressure) ratings on the units they actually bought don't meet the SoFlo HVHZ requirements for those specific wall heights. Check the stickers for a 'DP50' or 'DP70'—if you’re near the coast and they bought 50s for a 70 zone, they’re useless. I’ve seen guys try to swap out a CGI Sentinel for a cheaper non-impact knockoff and hide the paperwork. Verify the glass etched logo; it should say 'Laminated' or 'Impact' with a legit manufacturer code. If that glass isn't 7/16" or thicker, it's likely why they're hiding.

That is absolutely wild about the signature! I just joined this forum beacuse I'm finally ready to swap my old front door for something impact-rated and now I'm totally terrified. $29k is such a huge chunk of change! Speaking of cool doors, I've been looking at those massive pivot doors that rotate on a single point. Are those even legal in South Florida with the wind codes? They look so sleek but I’m wondering if they’re a permit disaster waiting to happen compared to a standard swing door!