Choosing Roofing Contractor In Florida [Free 11-Step Checklist]
May 07, 2025The best way to find a trustworthy roof repair contractor? Look local, demand full transparency, and never rush the decision. A great roofer educates you, respects your home, and delivers exactly what they promise, no shortcuts, no excuses.
Hiring the wrong roofer can feel like tossing money into a storm drain, and here in Florida, we know a thing or two about storms.
We’ve been in construction for over 30 years, and have seen what happens when homeowners rush into a repair with the wrong contractor.
Shoddy work. Ghosted projects. Hidden storm damage that gets missed until it’s too late.
I get it. Your roof is leaking, and you just want it fixed fast. But the fastest choice is almost never the right one. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything we’d tell a close friend or family member.
You’ll get:
- A step-by-step process to protect your investment
- A checklist for finding a legit roofing contractor
- Warning signs to spot scammers
Let’s get into it.
The Complete Checklist: 11 Signs of a Trustworthy Roof Repair Contractor
There’s no shortcut to a job done right, but there is a roadmap to finding the kind of contractor who won’t let you down. After decades in Florida roofing, we’ve learned that the best roofers all share a few traits.
And if you know what to look for, you can spot them from the first phone call.
1. Active License and Insurance
Don’t just ask, see it. Any roofer worth hiring should provide proof of licensure, liability insurance, and workers’ comp.
If they hesitate, that’s your cue to move on.
2. Local Experience (Especially in Storm Zones)
Florida isn’t like the rest of the country. We deal with hurricanes, wind mitigation requirements, and codes that change by county.
You want a roofer who’s done this before, here.
3. In-House Crews, Not Subcontractors
This is huge. Subcontractors come and go. In-house teams are trained, accountable, and invested in the outcome.
That’s what we use at Florida Roofing and Gutters, and it shows.
4. Jobsite Cleanliness and Professionalism
If they treat your yard like a trash pile, they’ll treat your roof the same. The best roofers respect your home from the moment they arrive.
5. Detailed, Line-by-Line Estimates
“Roof install – $12,000” isn’t a quote. It’s a red flag. A real pro breaks down materials, labor, prep work, cleanup, and timeline.
6. Real References You Can Call
Don’t just settle for online reviews. Ask for 2–3 recent homeowners you can actually speak to. If the contractor’s good, they’ll be happy to connect you.
7. Roofing Material Expertise
From asphalt to metal to silicone, they should know the pros, cons, and lifespan of each material, and recommend what fits your home and budget.
8. Attic Inspections Included
If they skip your attic, they’re not diagnosing the full problem. Hidden leaks, ventilation issues, and wood rot start inside. Always ask.
9. Solid Workmanship Warranty
Look for a written warranty on labor, not just materials. Good companies stand behind their crews for years, not months.
10. Permit Handling
Reputable roofers handle permitting. If they tell you to pull the permit, that’s a sign they’re either cutting corners or avoiding accountability.
11. Insurance Claim Experience
The best contractors know how to work with adjusters, document damage, and fight for your coverage. If they shrug at insurance questions, find someone who won’t.
Any roofer who displays the signs mentioned is highly trustworthy. Now, finding these good people to handle your project can be a challenge.
Helpful Resource → Roof Replacement Cost Florida | By Location, Material & Scenario
How to Find Roofers Who Actually Meet These Standards
Now that you know what a trustworthy roofing contractor looks like, the next question is, how do you find one?
Here’s how to track down the pros who live up to the checklist:
1. Start with Local Referrals, Not Just Google Ads
Online search results are a pay-to-play game.
Just because a contractor shows up first doesn’t mean they’re the best. Start by asking friends, neighbors, or even local building supply companies who they trust.
The best roofers usually get the majority of their business through word of mouth, and they’ll have a strong presence in your zip code, not just on search engines.
2. Check Licensing and Credentials Yourself
Don’t take “we’re licensed and insured” at face value.
Use your state’s contractor license board to verify their license number, insurance status, and complaint history. Any hesitation or dodging here is a hard no.
3. Use Zip-Code-Based Review Filters
Sites like Google and Angi let you filter reviews based on your location.
Focus on contractors with a proven track record of jobs in your area, especially if you live in a region with high wind exposure or unique code requirements (hello, Florida).
Look for reviews that mention:
- Clean job sites
- Strong communication
- Projects completed on time and on budget
- Good follow-through on warranties
4. Ask Smart, Specific Questions
When you reach out to a contractor, don’t just ask, “Are you good?” Ask the kinds of questions that make them prove it:
- “Do you use in-house crews or subcontractors?”
- “Can I get a copy of your workmanship warranty?”
- “Do you include attic inspections?”
- “Will you be pulling the permit for this job?”
The right contractor will answer these clearly and confidently, with documentation to back it up.
5. Request a Line-by-Line Quote, Then Compare Carefully
You should receive a professional estimate that details labor, materials (including brand and grade), timeline, cleanup, and warranties.
If a bid feels too vague or too cheap, that’s a sign of hidden costs or corner-cutting.
Compare at least two or three quotes, not just for price, but for completeness.
A lower price doesn’t mean a better deal if it leaves out key elements like ventilation or flashing.
6. Ask for Real References, and Call Them
Good contractors love it when you ask for references because they know their work speaks for itself. Ask for 2–3 recent customers with similar repairs or roof types.
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Call them, ask about their experience, and, if you can, drive by to see the work in person.
7. Look for Signs of Ongoing Support
Finally, choose someone who won’t disappear once the check clears.
Ask how warranty support works, how to reach them for follow-ups, and whether they conduct post-project walkthroughs. A roofer who plans to be around tomorrow is a roofer you can trust today.
Finding a contractor who truly meets all 11 points on the checklist is difficult. But when you follow this process, you’ll end up with a roof that lasts, and a contractor you can call back.
Now also look for signs where you should raise eyebrows in suspicion and likely avoid getting involved with these roofers!
Red Flags: Telltale Signs You’re About to Get Scammed
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Spotting the warning signs, before you sign anything, is more important than ever. Because once your deposit is gone or your roof is halfway torn off, there’s no easy way back.
Here are the biggest red flags that you’re dealing with a contractor who shouldn’t be anywhere near your home:
1. “One-Day Only” Discounts
High-pressure sales tactics are designed to bypass your better judgment.
If someone says the deal expires today or tries to rush your decision, they’re putting their bottom line ahead of your best interest. Quality contractors don’t use urgency to close a deal; they use facts, clarity, and trust.
2. Full Payment Upfront
A small deposit is industry standard. Asking for 100% of the money before the job starts? That’s one of the oldest scams in the book.
No reputable roofer will ever ask for full payment before materials arrive and work begins.
3. No Written Contract (or Vague, Generic Terms)
A handshake or a basic invoice is not a contract.
Every detail, scope of work, materials (with brand and grade), labor terms, start/end dates, cleanup, and warranties should be in writing.
And if they won’t explain the fine print? That’s a deliberate tactic to leave room for bait-and-switch surprises.
4. Asking You to Pull the Permit
Permits exist to protect you. If the contractor asks you to pull it yourself, they’re either not licensed to do the job or they’re dodging inspections.
Professionals handle the paperwork because they know the code, and they plan to follow it.
5. No Workmanship Warranty
A manufacturer’s warranty only covers the product, not the way it’s installed.
If your contractor doesn’t offer a written workmanship warranty, they’re not planning to be around when things go wrong.
And in Florida’s weather, a roof installed poorly will show signs of failure faster than you think.
These red flags aren’t just red tape, they’re protective barriers between your home and a financial disaster.
Helpful Resource → Florida Roofing Scams: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know
Don’t Rush; Find Someone That Delivers What They Promise!
When your roof starts leaking or a storm has just passed, it’s tempting to make a decision fast.
But rushing into a roofing job is where most homeowners go wrong.
The truth is, a smart roofing decision takes a little time, two to three weeks, ideally.
That window gives you the breathing room to ask questions, compare options, and avoid mistakes that cost thousands later. To make the most of that time, here’s what you should always do before hiring:
- Get at least two full inspections, and make sure they include attic access.
- Request line-by-line estimates that clearly detail labor, materials, and cleanup.
- Verify the contractor’s license and insurance with your state’s database.
- Ask for local references and follow up with people who’ve had similar work done.
- Make sure permits and warranties are clearly explained, and in writing.
A trustworthy contractor won’t rush you.
They’ll walk you through every step, answer your questions without hesitation, and never hide behind vague terms.
At Florida Roofing and Gutters, that’s our promise. Every job starts with a 12-point inspection, is handled by our factory-certified in-house crew, and ends with a roof that’s built to protect, not just pass.
This decision doesn’t need to be fast, it needs to be right.
Take your time, do your homework, and choose a contractor who earns your trust, not just your signature.
Reach out to talk to us about your project.
