Updated November 4, 2026
Step 1: Confirm the license
Roof repairs and installations in Florida require a state license, according to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), and out-of-state contractors need a Florida license too. Go to MyFloridaLicense.com and search by company name, individual name, or license number. Check that:
- The license is active and in good standing.
- The license type fits roofing work.
- The business name on your contract matches the licensed entity or its qualifier.
- There are no recent disciplinary actions you would not be comfortable with.
Pinellas County also says to verify locally registered contractors with the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board (PCCLB), through its contractor search. The county will not process permits for contractors whose license is not active.
Step 2: Ask for proof of insurance
The Florida Department of Financial Services says contractors must carry general liability, property damage liability, and workers' compensation unless exempt. Ask for current certificates, and consider asking your agent or the issuing company to confirm they are active. If a worker is hurt on your property and the contractor has no coverage, you can end up in a very bad spot.
Step 3: Collect itemized written estimates
Get at least two or three estimates for the same scope. Each should list the materials with brand and product approval, the tear-off plan, the deck repair approach, the underlayment, flashing, ventilation, permit responsibility, cleanup, and the warranty. If one quote is much lower or higher, ask why. Do not rely on a verbal price.
Prices vary a lot, so use quotes, not averages. A big price gap often means a different scope, not a better deal.
Also ask how long the company has worked in Pinellas County, whether the same crew will do your job, and whether subcontractors will be used. If subcontractors are used, ask whether they are licensed and insured as well. Check online reviews, but treat them as one input rather than proof either way.
Step 4: Read the contract carefully
- Does it name the contractor and the license number?
- Does it include the notice required by Florida Statute 489.147 that the contractor may not offer deductible waivers or other prohibited inducements? If it is missing, you may void the contract within 10 days of signing.
- Does it include language advising you to verify your insurance coverage?
- Are start and completion dates, payment schedule, and change-order process written down?
- Who pulls the permit, and who pays for inspections?
- What is the workmanship warranty, in writing, and who stands behind it?
If the contract is signed during a governor-declared state of emergency in the declared area, a special cancellation right applies, described in the statute.
Step 5: Watch deposits and payments
Florida Statute 489.126 says that if a contractor takes an initial payment over 10 percent of the contract price for residential work, the contractor must apply for permits within 30 days and start work within 90 days after permits are issued, unless there is just cause or you agreed otherwise in writing. If the contractor does not comply, the statute calls for a written demand by certified mail. See the statute.
Tie payments to progress, such as materials delivered or inspections passed, and never pay the full amount before the work is complete and the final inspection passes.
Step 6: Know the red flags and where to report
- Pressure to sign today, or a price that is only good right now.
- No license number, or one that does not match the name on the contract.
- Offers to cover your deductible, or gifts for a roof inspection.
- A request to sign over your insurance claim.
- Reluctance to put things in writing or to pull a permit.
DBPR describes working without a license as unlicensed activity, and the state treats it more severely during a declared state of emergency. You can report suspected unlicensed activity through DBPR, and the Department of Financial Services takes fraud reports at FraudFreeFlorida.com. For a free review of a storm-related contract, use the state's Check My Contract program.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I look up a Florida roofer's license?
At MyFloridaLicense.com, the DBPR site. Search by business name, person, or license number and check that the license is active. For locally registered contractors, use the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board search.
What insurance should a roofer have?
The Florida Department of Financial Services says contractors must carry general liability, property damage liability, and workers' compensation unless exempt. Ask for current certificates.
How much deposit is too much?
Florida Statute 489.126 sets rules when an initial payment exceeds 10 percent of the contract price: permits must be applied for within 30 days and work started within 90 days after permit issuance, unless an exception applies. Tie payments to progress.
What if my contract is missing the deductible notice?
Under Florida Statute 489.147, if a roof contract lacks the required notice, you may void it within 10 days after signing.