Florida Roofing Scams: Protect Your Home and Your Wallet

Florida leads the nation in roofing fraud. The combination of frequent storms, high insurance premiums, complex building code requirements, and a transient contractor workforce creates a perfect environment for scams. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) receives thousands of roofing complaints annually, and Pinellas County is one of the most targeted areas.

Knowing these scams doesn't make you paranoid. It makes you informed. Here's every major scheme and how to protect yourself.

Scam #1: The Storm Chaser

How it works:

• Within hours of a hurricane or major storm, contractors from out of state flood the area
• They knock on doors offering "free roof inspections"
• They claim to find damage (sometimes real, sometimes manufactured)
• They offer to handle your entire insurance claim for you
• They collect your insurance payout, do minimal or substandard work, and disappear

Red flags:

• Out-of-state license plates on work trucks
• No local address (using a motel as their "office")
• Pressure to sign a contract immediately ("this price expires today")
• Offering to waive your deductible (this is insurance fraud in Florida)
• Can't provide local references or a physical Florida address

Protection: Never hire a contractor who knocks on your door. Legitimate local contractors are already busy serving existing customers after storms. They don't need to solicit.

Scam #2: The AOB Scheme (Now Illegal on New Policies)

How it worked:

• A contractor asks you to sign an "Assignment of Benefits" (AOB), transferring your insurance claim rights to them
• They then negotiate directly with your insurer, inflating the claim amount
• If the insurer disputes, the contractor sues the insurer (using your name), generating legal fees
• The contractor and their attorney profit regardless of whether you get a quality roof

2022 reform (HB 7065): Florida banned AOB on new insurance policies. However, policies issued before the ban may still be targeted. If anyone asks you to sign over your insurance benefits, decline immediately. You should always remain in control of your own claim.

Scam #3: The Deposit Grab

How it works:

• A contractor quotes a low price and demands a large upfront deposit (30-50% of the job)
• They collect the deposit, start minimal work (or none), then become unreachable
• By the time you realize they're not coming back, they've moved to the next victim

Florida law: For contracts over $1,000, Florida limits initial deposits to10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less. Any contractor demanding more than this is violating Florida statute. A legitimate payment schedule looks like: 10% at signing, 40% when materials are delivered, 40% at completion, 10% after final inspection.

Scam #4: The "Free Roof" Pitch

How it works:

• "Your insurance will pay for a brand new roof. It won't cost you anything!"
• The contractor files an inflated or fraudulent insurance claim on your behalf
• They offer to "waive your deductible" (this IS fraud. both the contractor and homeowner can be prosecuted)
• If the claim is successful, they do the cheapest possible work and pocket the difference
• If the claim is denied or investigated, YOU are the policyholder on record

Reality check: There is no such thing as a free roof. If a contractor tells you otherwise, they're either committing fraud or planning to deliver substandard work.

Scam #5: Material Substitution

How it works:

• The contract specifies premium materials (GAF Timberline HDZ, OC Duration)
• The contractor installs cheaper products (generic shingles, thinner underlayment, plastic pipe boots)
• From the ground, homeowners can't tell the difference
• The warranty claim fails because the installed products don't match the manufacturer's system requirements

Protection: Request that shingle wrapper labels be left on-site for your verification. Check the FL Product Approval number on the installed underlayment against what was specified. Take photos during installation.

Scam #6: The Fake Inspector

How it works:

• Someone claiming to be a "county inspector" or "insurance inspector" knocks on your door
• They claim your roof has been flagged for violations or damage
• They offer to connect you with a contractor who can fix the issues immediately
• The "inspector" gets a referral fee, the contractor gets inflated work

Reality: County building inspectors do NOT go door-to-door. They only visit when a permit has been pulled for a specific project. Insurance inspectors only visit when you've filed a claim or during a scheduled policy renewal inspection. Anyone showing up uninvited claiming to be an inspector is lying.

How to Verify a Legitimate Roofing Contractor

How to Report Roofing Fraud in Florida

• DBPR: File a complaint at myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/complaint. They investigate unlicensed activity and contractor violations.
• State Attorney: For criminal fraud, contact the Pinellas County State Attorney's Office.
• FL CFO: For insurance fraud, report to the Florida Chief Financial Officer's fraud division at 1-800-378-0445.
• BBB: File a complaint at bbb.org for consumer protection record.
• FL AG: The Florida Attorney General's consumer protection division at myfloridalegal.com.

Work With a Contractor You Can Trust

We're a licensed, insured, locally operated Pinellas County roofing contractor with manufacturer certifications and a verifiable track record. Schedule a free roof inspection with no obligation, no pressure, and no scams. Serving St. Petersburg,Clearwater, and all of Pinellas County.