What Should You Ask a Roofing Contractor Before Hiring Them in Orlando?
Before signing a roofing contract in Orlando, you should ask every prospective contractor these ten questions: What is your Florida license number? Do you carry workers’ compensation? What manufacturer certifications do you hold? Who will supervise my project on-site? What does your warranty cover? Will you pull all required permits? What is your payment schedule? What happens if you find decking damage? How do you handle weather delays? Can you provide recent local references? These questions separate legitimate, accountable professionals from the unlicensed and underinsured operators that flood Central Florida after every storm season. Here is why each question matters and what the right answers look like, from the licensed roofing professionals at 3MG Roofing & Solar.
1. What Is Your Florida Roofing License Number?
This is the single most important question you can ask. Florida law requires all roofing contractors to hold either a State Certified Roofing Contractor license or a Registered Roofing Contractor license issued through the county [1]. A legitimate contractor will provide their license number immediately and without hesitation. Verify it yourself at myfloridalicense.com before any further discussion — the lookup is free and takes 30 seconds. If a contractor cannot or will not provide a license number, end the conversation. Hiring an unlicensed roofer in Florida exposes you to personal liability for job-site injuries, voids permit protections, and makes it nearly impossible to pursue warranty claims or dispute resolution through the state’s Construction Industry Licensing Board.
2. Do You Carry Workers’ Compensation Insurance?
Florida requires roofing contractors with one or more employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance [2]. If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor does not have coverage, you as the homeowner can be held financially liable for medical expenses and lost wages. Request a current certificate of insurance — not just a verbal confirmation — and verify it directly with the insurance carrier by calling the number on the certificate. A reputable Orlando roofing company will provide this documentation without pushback. Also confirm the contractor carries general liability insurance with adequate limits, typically $1 million or more, to cover accidental property damage during the project.
3. What Manufacturer Certifications Do You Hold?
Manufacturer certifications such as GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Platinum Preferred, or CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster indicate that the contractor has demonstrated installation expertise, maintains ongoing training requirements, and meets the manufacturer’s standards for quality and professionalism [3]. These certifications matter to you because they unlock enhanced warranty coverage — including non-prorated labor coverage and extended system warranties — that is not available through non-certified installers. Only about 2 percent of roofing contractors nationally hold GAF Master Elite certification, so this designation is a meaningful differentiator. Ask which manufacturers the contractor is certified with and what warranty tier that certification provides for your project.
4. Who Will Supervise My Roof Project On-Site?
A dedicated project supervisor or foreman should be present at your home during every day of the installation — not just the labor crew working without oversight. The supervisor ensures quality control at each stage, addresses unexpected issues like hidden decking damage in real time, coordinates with the permit inspector, and serves as your direct point of contact during the work. Ask for the supervisor’s name and phone number before signing the contract. If the contractor cannot tell you who will be supervising your specific project, that is a red flag suggesting the company may be subcontracting the work to an unknown crew.
5. What Does Your Roofing Warranty Cover?
Every roof replacement involves two separate warranties, and you need to understand both before signing. The manufacturer’s material warranty covers defects in the roofing products themselves — shingles, tiles, underlayment — and typically lasts 25 to 50 years depending on the product line [3]. The contractor’s workmanship warranty covers the quality of the installation itself, including issues like improper flashing, poor nail patterns, or inadequate sealing that cause leaks even when the materials are functioning correctly. A reputable contractor provides a workmanship warranty of at least five years, and the best contractors — including 3MG — offer coverage that significantly exceeds that minimum. For a deeper dive into warranty types, see our Orlando roofing warranty guide.
6. Will You Pull All Required Permits for My Roof?
The only acceptable answer is yes. Florida law requires permits for all roof replacements, and the licensed contractor is responsible for pulling them [4]. Any contractor who suggests skipping permits to save time or money is either unlicensed, trying to avoid inspection accountability, or both. Permits ensure your new roof is inspected for code compliance, which protects your insurance coverage, preserves your ability to sell the home, and creates a permanent public record that the work was done properly. If a contractor asks you to pull the permit yourself, that is a major warning sign — it often means the company cannot pull permits because they lack proper licensing.
7. What Is Your Payment Schedule?
A fair payment schedule for an Orlando roof replacement involves a deposit of 10 to 30 percent at contract signing, with the balance due upon completion and satisfactory final inspection. Be cautious of contractors who demand more than 50 percent upfront, require full payment before work begins, or pressure you to pay in cash to avoid documentation. Florida’s Construction Industry Licensing Board handles complaints against contractors who take deposits and fail to perform work, but recovering funds is always harder than preventing the problem. If you are financing through an insurance claim, your contractor should be able to coordinate payment draws with your carrier’s inspection schedule. For financing options, see our Orlando roof replacement cost guide.
8. What Happens If You Find Damaged Roof Decking?
Decking damage — rotted, delaminated, or water-damaged plywood — is common in Florida homes and is not visible until the old roofing material is removed. A quality contractor addresses this proactively by including a per-sheet replacement price in the contract before work begins, so there are no surprise charges mid-project. Ask what the contractor charges per sheet of OSB or plywood replacement and how they communicate discovered damage to you during the installation. At 3MG Roofing & Solar, we provide transparent per-sheet decking pricing in every contract and photograph any damaged decking before replacing it, so you have full documentation for your records and insurance file.
9. How Do You Handle Weather Delays in Orlando?
Orlando’s afternoon thunderstorms, particularly from May through September, can interrupt roofing projects and extend timelines. A professional contractor has a clear protocol for weather management: starting work at dawn to maximize dry hours, securing all exposed roof areas with synthetic underlayment before afternoon storms arrive, and communicating schedule adjustments to you promptly. Ask specifically what happens if rain is forecast — does the crew tarp and secure the roof at the end of each day regardless of the forecast? A contractor who leaves your roof exposed overnight is not someone you want on the job. The right answer is that your home is fully weatherproofed at the end of every work day, no exceptions.
10. Can You Provide Recent Local References in Orlando?
Ask for three to five references from projects completed within the past six months in the Orlando area — not just a general portfolio or out-of-state testimonials. Call the references and ask specific questions: Did the crew show up on time? Was the site cleaned up daily? Did the final price match the estimate? Were any issues resolved promptly? A contractor who cannot produce recent local references may lack the experience, track record, or customer satisfaction history to handle your project reliably. Also check Google reviews and the contractor’s BBB profile for patterns of complaints related to communication, cleanup, or warranty responsiveness.
What Red Flags Should Disqualify an Orlando Roofer Immediately?
Certain behaviors should end your consideration of a contractor on the spot. These include door-to-door solicitation immediately after a storm (a common tactic used by storm-chasing companies that leave town after collecting payment), inability to provide a license number, requesting full payment upfront, pressuring you to sign the same day with a “limited time” discount, offering to waive your insurance deductible (which is insurance fraud under Florida law [5]), and refusing to provide a written contract with detailed scope of work. If any of these apply, walk away and continue interviewing other contractors. For help identifying trustworthy licensed roofers in Orlando, contact 3MG for a free consultation.
| Green Flag | Red Flag |
|---|---|
| Provides license number immediately | Cannot produce a license number |
| Carries workers’ comp + general liability | No workers’ comp or expired insurance |
| Pulls all required permits | Suggests skipping permits to save money |
| Written contract with detailed scope | Verbal agreements only |
| 10–30% deposit, balance at completion | Demands full payment upfront |
| Manufacturer certified (GAF, OC, etc.) | No certifications or training documentation |
| Named project supervisor on-site | Unknown subcontracted crew |
| Per-sheet decking price in contract | Vague “we’ll figure it out” on hidden damage |
| Recent local references available | No references or only out-of-state jobs |
| Clear weather-delay protocol | No plan for securing roof overnight |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I get everything in writing before my roof replacement?
Yes — every agreement, change order, material specification, warranty term, and payment schedule should be documented in a written contract. Verbal promises are effectively unenforceable in Florida construction disputes. A detailed written contract protects both you and the contractor by establishing clear expectations, defining the scope of work, and providing a legal framework for resolving any disagreements that arise during or after the project.
Is it okay to negotiate price with an Orlando roofer?
You can ask about options for different material tiers, inquire about off-season scheduling discounts, or compare scope across multiple bids. However, be cautious about aggressively negotiating price — the lowest quote in roofing often reflects cut corners, thinner underlayment, fewer fasteners, or subcontracted labor with no quality oversight. Focus on comparing value and scope rather than driving the price to the absolute minimum. A difference of $500 on a $15,000 project is not worth sacrificing installation quality.
How many quotes should I get for a roof replacement in Orlando?
Three quotes is the standard recommendation for any major home improvement project, and roof replacement is no exception. Getting three bids allows you to compare scope, materials, warranty terms, and pricing across different contractors. If one quote is significantly lower than the others, ask why — it may reflect a smaller scope, inferior materials, or missing items like permit fees and decking replacement. The goal is not to find the cheapest contractor but to identify the best value from a licensed, insured professional.
What should a roofing contract include in Florida?
A complete roofing contract in Florida should include the contractor’s license number and insurance information, a detailed scope of work specifying all materials by manufacturer and product line, the total project price with itemized line items, payment schedule with clear milestones, start and estimated completion dates, workmanship warranty terms, a per-sheet price for decking replacement, a provision for permit costs, and a clear cancellation clause. Florida law provides a three-day right of rescission for contracts signed at your home [6].
Can I check a roofer’s complaint history in Florida?
Yes. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) maintains public records of all complaints and disciplinary actions against licensed contractors [1]. Search by contractor name or license number at myfloridalicense.com. You should also check Google reviews, BBB complaints, and the Orange County Clerk of Courts for any civil lawsuits involving the contractor.
What is the difference between a certified and a registered roofing contractor in Florida?
A State Certified Roofing Contractor holds a license issued by the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board and can work anywhere in the state. A Registered Roofing Contractor holds a license issued by a specific county and can only work within that county’s jurisdiction [1]. Both are legitimate, but a state-certified license offers broader coverage and is generally considered more rigorous to obtain. Verify whichever type your contractor holds before signing.
References
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. “Construction Industry Licensing — Roofing Contractors.” myfloridalicense.com
- Florida Statutes, Chapter 440. “Workers’ Compensation Law.” flsenate.gov
- GAF Roofing. “Master Elite Contractor Certification and Warranty Programs.” gaf.com
- Orange County, FL — Building Safety Division. “Roofing Permit Requirements.” orangecountyfl.net
- Florida Statutes §817.234. “False and Fraudulent Insurance Claims.” flsenate.gov
- Florida Statutes §501.031. “Home Solicitation Sale — Right of Cancellation.” flsenate.gov
Written by the licensed roofing professionals at 3MG Roofing & Solar — Orlando, FL. Updated February 2026.
