Choosing the wrong roofing contractor is one of the most expensive mistakes a Florida homeowner can make. A botched installation doesn't just mean cosmetic issues. It means premature failure, voidedwarranties, insurance problems, code violations, and potential water damage to your home's structure. The good news: vetting a roofer is straightforward if you know what to check.
The 15-Point Vetting Checklist
1. Active Florida Roofing License
Non-negotiable. Every roofing contractor in Florida must hold a state license. Verify atMyFloridaLicense.com:
- CCC number: Certified Roofing Contractor. Can work anywhere in Florida.
- CC number: Registered Roofing Contractor. Can work only in registered counties.
- Check that the license is ACTIVE (not expired, suspended, or revoked)
- Check for any disciplinary history or complaints
- The license should be in the company's or owner's name, not a subcontractor's
2. Workers Compensation Insurance
If a roofing crew member is injured on your property and the contractor doesn't carry workers comp, YOU can be held liable. Florida requires workers comp for any contractor with one or more employees. Request a Certificate of Insurance (COI) and call the insurance company to verify it's current.
3. General Liability Insurance
Covers damage to your property during the project. If a crew member drops a tool through your skylight or a dumpster damages your driveway, GL insurance pays for it. Minimum $1 million coverage is standard. Again, verify with the insurer directly, not just the certificate.
4. Physical Local Address
The contractor should have a physical location in Pinellas County or the greater Tampa Bay area. Not a PO Box. Not a mail forwarding service. A real office, warehouse, or showroom. Google Maps it. If the address is a vacant lot or a residential home with no signage, proceed with caution.
5. Verifiable Track Record
Look for:
- Google Business Profile with 50+ reviews and a 4.0+ average
- BBB accreditation (check bbb.org for complaints and resolution history)
- At least 3 years of operating history in the area
- Portfolio of completed local projects
6. Manufacturer Certification
GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed all have tiered contractor certification programs. Higher tiers unlock better warranties for you. Verify certification on the manufacturer's website, not just the contractor's claim.
| Manufacturer | Basic Tier | Top Tier | Top Tier % |
|---|---|---|---|
| GAF | Certified | Master Elite | Top 2% |
| Owens Corning | Preferred | Platinum Preferred | Top 1% |
| CertainTeed | ShingleMaster | SELECT ShingleMaster | Limited |
7. Permit Responsibility
The contractor should pull the building permit, not you. This is standard practice. If a contractor suggests skipping the permit "to save money," walk away. Unpermitted roof work creates insurance problems, code violations, and resale nightmares.
8. Written Contract with Full Scope
Your contract should specify:
- Exact materials (manufacturer, product line, color)
- Scope of work (tear-off layers, deck repair allowance, underlayment type, flashing)
- Timeline (start date, estimated completion)
- Payment schedule (compliant with FL deposit law: max 10% or $1,000 upfront)
- Warranty terms (workmanship and manufacturer)
- Cleanup responsibilities
- Permit responsibility (contractor pulls and pays)
- Change order process
9. Legal Payment Schedule
Florida law: maximum deposit of $1,000 or 10% (whichever is less) on contracts over $1,000. A legitimate schedule: 10% at signing, 40% at material delivery, 40% at completion, 10% after final inspection. Any contractor demanding 30-50% upfront is violating state law.
10. No Pressure Tactics
"This price is only good today." "I have one spot left this week." "If you don't act now, the damage will get worse." All manipulation. A legitimate contractor gives you time to review the proposal, get competing quotes, and make an informed decision. Urgency-driven selling is ascam red flag.
11-15: Additional Checks
- 11. Recent references: Ask for 3 recent projects in Pinellas County. Call the homeowners. Drive by if convenient.
- 12. Crew is employees, not subcontracted: Who shows up matters. Ask if the crew is W-2 employees or subcontracted. Subcontracted crews have less accountability.
- 13. Willing to meet your insurance adjuster: For storm damage claims, your contractor should be willing (eager, even) to meet the insurance adjuster on your roof.
- 14. Clear communication: Do they return calls and emails promptly? Are they willing to explain their process? A contractor who's hard to reach before the sale will be impossible to reach after.
- 15. Warranty registration: Ask if they handle manufacturer warranty registration upon completion. If they don't, the enhanced warranty you paid for may never be activated.
How Many Quotes Should You Get?
Three is the standard recommendation. More than three creates decision fatigue without meaningful additional data. When comparing quotes:
- Compare scope, not just total price
- Ensure all quotes specify the same material level
- Check if underlayment type matches (peel-and-stick vs synthetic is a $600-800 difference)
- Verify all quotes include permit costs
- Ask about warranty levels (a quote with System Plus warranty vs standard may explain a price difference)
Schedule a Free, No-Pressure Inspection
We provide free roof inspections with written reports, detailed estimates, and zero sales pressure. We're licensed, insured, manufacturer-certified, and locally operated in Pinellas County. Serving St. Petersburg,Clearwater, Largo, and all surrounding communities.