Hiring a Florida Roofer Without Getting Burned

A roof is one of the biggest single purchases most homeowners make, and Florida's contractor landscape ranges from excellent crews to people working out of a pickup truck with no license. Choosing well isn't complicated, but it does take a few minutes of homework that almost no one does. Here's exactly what to check.

Step one: verify the license

Florida requires roofing contractors to hold a state-issued license (the prefix is typically CCC for certified roofing contractors). The state maintains a free, public database.

• Go to MyFloridaLicense.com.
• Click "Verify a License."
• Search by the company name or by the license number printed on their proposal.
• Confirm the license is active and that the name on the license matches the company you're talking to.

If a contractor can't or won't give you a license number, that conversation should end. Storm Authority's license is CCC1337646, public for verification.

Step two: confirm insurance

A licensed roofer carries two policies:

1. General liability insurance, in case something on your property gets damaged.
2. Workers' compensation insurance, in case a crew member is injured on your roof.

Ask for a certificate of insurance (COI) directly from the carrier, not a photocopy from the contractor. Reputable companies send them within minutes.

Step three: read the written estimate carefully

A real roofing estimate is detailed. Vague proposals are a warning sign because they leave room for change orders later. A complete estimate should include:

• The exact shingle/tile/metal product (manufacturer + line + color)
• The underlayment product
• Drip edge, starter strip, and ridge cap specifics
• Flashing details (new vs. reused, material)
• Pipe boot, vent, and skylight handling
• Decking inspection and replacement allowance (e.g. "any rotten decking replaced at $X per sheet, up to N sheets included")
• Permit fee responsibility
• Cleanup, dump fees, magnetic nail sweep
• Workmanship warranty (years, what's covered, what's not)
• Manufacturer warranty registration

Step four: ask the right questions

Bring these to every bid meeting. Our free interview questions download is a printable version.

• Who pulls the permit, and when? Answer should be the contractor, before any work starts.
• Is your crew W-2 employees or subcontractors? Either is legal, but you should know who's actually on your roof.
• What happens if you find rotten decking? You want a per-sheet allowance, not a blank check.
• What's your communication cadence? Daily updates during the install is the modern standard.
• What's your workmanship warranty? 5 to 10 years is typical. 1 year is too short.
• Can I see three references in my area from the last 12 months? Recent, local, verifiable.

Step five: take your time

The fastest path to regret is signing the first proposal you get under pressure. Get three quotes, compare them side by side, and call the references. A reputable Florida roofer expects you to do this and won't push you.

If anything we've covered here gets pushback during a bid meeting, walk away. There are good crews in Tampa Bay (we're one of them, but not the only one) who will treat your due diligence as a sign of a serious customer, not an inconvenience.

Get a free quote from Storm Authority