Choosing the wrong roofing contractor can cost you thousands — or worse, leave you with a roof that fails in the next storm. Florida has more roofing contractors per capita than almost any other state, and unfortunately, not all of them are honest or competent.
Here’s how to separate the professionals from the problems.
The Non-Negotiables: What Every Florida Roofer Must Have
1. Active Florida Roofing License
This is not optional. Florida law requires any roofing contractor to hold a valid state license. There are two types:
- CCC License (Certified Roofing Contractor) — can work anywhere in Florida
- RC License (Registered Roofing Contractor) — limited to specific counties
How to verify: Visit myfloridalicense.com and search by company name or license number.
Red flag: If a contractor can’t provide their license number immediately, walk away.
2. Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Florida requires roofing contractors to carry workers’ comp for all employees. If an uninsured worker gets hurt on your roof, you could be liable.
How to verify: Ask for a Certificate of Insurance and call the insurance company to confirm it’s active.
3. General Liability Insurance
Protects you if the contractor damages your property. Minimum $1 million is standard.
4. Written Contract
Florida law (Chapter 489) requires a written contract for any roofing project over $2,500. The contract must include:
- Contractor’s license number
- Total price and payment schedule
- Scope of work and materials
- Project timeline
- Warranty terms
- Permit information
10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring
1. What’s your Florida license number? (Verify it yourself)
2. How long have you been in business locally? (Local history matters more than years in business)
3. Can I see proof of workers’ comp and liability insurance?
4. Will you pull the building permit? (Florida requires permits for most roofing work — if they say “no permit needed” for a re-roof, that’s a red flag)
5. What manufacturer certifications do you hold? (Certifications affect warranty quality)
6. Who will be the project supervisor on my job?
7. What’s your warranty — both workmanship and manufacturer?
8. Can you provide references from jobs in the last 90 days?
9. How do you handle unexpected problems (rotted decking, structural issues)?
10. What’s your payment schedule? (Never pay more than 10-20% upfront)
Red Flags That Should Stop You Immediately
🚩 “We’ll waive your deductible”
This is insurance fraud in Florida. Any contractor who offers to waive your insurance deductible is breaking the law and putting you at legal risk.
🚩 Door-to-door solicitation after a storm
Legitimate contractors don’t need to knock on doors. Storm chasers prey on panicked homeowners after hurricanes and often do substandard work before leaving town.
🚩 Demands full payment upfront
Florida law limits deposits on home improvement contracts. If someone wants full payment before starting work, that’s a massive red flag.
🚩 No written estimate or contract
If they won’t put it in writing, they’re planning to surprise you with the bill.
🚩 Pressure to sign immediately
“This price is only good today” is a sales tactic, not a business practice. Any reputable contractor will honor their estimate for at least 30 days.
🚩 They want to handle your insurance claim
Be very cautious with Assignment of Benefits (AOB) agreements. While not always a scam, AOB transfers your insurance benefits to the contractor, limiting your control over the claim and repairs.
What Good Contractors Do Differently
They educate you. A good contractor explains your options, helps you understand materials and pricing, and doesn’t pressure you into the most expensive option.
They document everything. Photos before, during, and after. Written change orders for any modifications. Clean, detailed invoices.
They pull permits. Every time. No exceptions. The permit protects you — it ensures a building inspector verifies the work meets Florida Building Code.
They communicate proactively. You should never have to chase your contractor for updates. Good contractors tell you when they’ll start, how long it’ll take, and if anything changes.
They’re local. A contractor who lives and works in your community has a reputation to protect. A company from three states away does not.
The Real Cost of Choosing Wrong
We’ve seen homeowners save $2,000 by choosing the cheapest bid only to spend $15,000 fixing the problems two years later. Bad installation leads to:
- Leaks that damage your home’s structure
- Failed inspections that prevent you from selling
- Voided manufacturer warranties
- Insurance claim denials (if unpermitted work fails in a storm)
- Mold and water damage
The cheapest bid is almost never the best value.