Actually the contract law is just as bad as it is in ca. Oh yeah its hot. Which I hate.
In your line of work I would too, but it beats the crap out of the cold. Imagine trying to be a contractor somewhere like Duluth or Buffalo.

Stay away from Florida (not that you aren't welcome), but there are so many scam artists down here its got be hard for an honest contractor to compete against them until he can build up a rep. Even them, too many dumb asses just listen to the sales pitch and look at the numbers, and then get hosed. Look at Austin, its a great town, and its one of the fastest growing cities in the US, should be plenty of work for restoration older homes and customizing new stuff..
FQ