Guides / Roofing
What should I ask before hiring a roofer in Florida?
General guide · Florida · Updated 2026-11-12
Ask for the roofer's Florida license number (and look it up at myfloridalicense.com), proof of insurance, who pulls the permit, how rotten decking is priced, which underlayment and fastening they use to meet Florida's wind code, what warranties you get, and how payments are scheduled. Be cautious with anyone who knocks after a storm, asks you to sign over insurance benefits, or wants most of the money up front.
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The questions
- What is your Florida roofing license number? (Certified roofing contractors' numbers usually start with CCC.)
- Can I see your certificate of insurance for general liability and workers' compensation?
- Will you pull the permit, and will the roof get the required inspections?
- How do you price rotten decking? Per sheet, and how many sheets are included?
- What underlayment, fasteners and flashing will you use, and does it meet the current Florida Building Code?
- Who will be on my roof: your crew or subcontractors?
- What's your workmanship warranty, and will you register the manufacturer's warranty?
- What's the payment schedule?
- Will you provide a wind mitigation inspection form when you're done?
Contract checks
- Material, color and manufacturer line written in.
- Start and finish estimates.
- Florida's required notice about the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund on residential contracts.
- Lien releases from the roofer and suppliers when you pay, so nobody can put a lien on your home for unpaid materials.
How to check the license
Ask for the Florida license number and look it up yourself at myfloridalicense.com (the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation). Check that the name matches who you're hiring, the license type fits the job, and the status is current and active. Certified licenses are good statewide; registered ones only where the contractor holds a local license.
The license record doesn't show insurance, so also ask for certificates of general liability and workers' compensation insurance.
Red flags
- No license number for licensed work, or one that doesn't match the business.
- A large deposit, especially in cash, before any work or permit.
- Offering to skip the permit on work that needs one.
- Pressure to sign today, or door-to-door offers after a storm.
- A vague price with nothing in writing.
Common questions
- Should I let a roofer deal with my insurance company?
- Talk to your insurer yourself first. Be careful signing anything that assigns your policy benefits to a contractor; Florida restricted these assignments in recent law changes, and you should read anything you sign carefully.
- Is a cheaper roofing quote always worse?
- Not always, but compare line by line: material, underlayment, decking allowance, permit and warranty. Missing items are the usual reason a quote is much lower.
- How do I know a roofer finished the job properly?
- The permit should get a final inspection. Ask for the inspection result, the warranty documents and lien releases.
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General information, not legal, insurance or financial advice; rules and prices change, so confirm with the pro, your county and your insurer. aBlueC does not vet providers: check their license and insurance before hiring. Not for emergencies: call 911.