12 Questions to Ask a Roofing Contractor Before Hiring (Florida Edition)
Maintenance & Repair
Roofing
roofing contractor
October 9,2026
The most important questions to ask a roofer in Florida cover: their state license number, proof of liability and workers’ comp insurance, who pulls the permit, whether the materials carry Miami-Dade NOA or Florida Product Approval, how rotten decking is priced, and what the warranty covers.
A trustworthy roofer answers every one of them in writing. Walk away from any roofer who dodges these questions or offers to cover your insurance deductible.
Questions to ask a roofer before you sign are the same ones we wish every homeowner brought to a first meeting. A new roof is one of the biggest checks you will write for your home. In South Florida, that roof also has to stand up to hurricane season, salt air and summer storms that test every nail and seam.
Most homeowners only hire a roofer once or twice in their lives. So it is normal not to know what a good answer sounds like. Unfortunately, some contractors count on that.
This guide gives you 12 questions to bring to your next estimate. For each one, you will see the answer a good roofer gives, the answer that should worry you, and how we handle it at FoxHaven.
Why listen to us? FoxHaven Roofing Group holds an A+ BBB rating, Owens Corning Top of the House Certified Contractor status, Metal Alliance 5-Star Partner certification, and Florida license CCC1331638, with a 4.9-star average from over 380 Google reviews.
What questions should you ask a roofer before hiring?
Here are the 12 questions at a glance. Save this list or print it for your next estimate.
- What is your Florida roofing license number?
- Can you send me your insurance certificates?
- Who pulls the permit?
- Will you use Miami-Dade NOA or Florida Product Approved materials?
- What happens if you find rotten decking?
- Can I get a written, itemized estimate?
- Who will actually work on my roof?
- What warranties come with my new roof?
- How will you keep me updated during the job?
- How will you protect my property and clean up?
- What is your payment schedule?
- Can I read reviews or talk to recent customers?
Now let’s look at what each answer should sound like.
1. What is your Florida roofing license number?
Florida requires roofing contractors to hold a state license. A certified license starts with “CCC” and lets the contractor work anywhere in the state. A registered license starts with “RC” and only covers s the local areas where that contractor is registered. Our guide to Florida roofing contractor licensing requirements explains the difference in more detail.
A good answer: The roofer gives you the number on the spot. When you look it up on MyFloridaLicense.com, it shows as current and active.
An answer that should worry you: “I work under my buddy’s license” or “I’ll send it over later.”
How we handle it: Our license number is CCC1331638. You are welcome to check if your Florida roofer is licensed before you ever meet us.
2. Can you send me your insurance certificates?
Ask for two certificates. General liability insurance covers damage to your home during the job. Workers’ compensation covers injuries to the crew. Without both, an accident on your roof can quickly become your problem.
A good answer: “Sure. I’ll have our insurance agent send current certificates straight to you.”
An answer that should worry you: An expired certificate, a blurry photo of a card, or “my guys have their own coverage.”
How we handle it: We send current liability and workers’ comp certificates whenever a homeowner asks.
3. Who pulls the permit?
A roof replacement in Florida needs a building permit. The licensed contractor doing the work should pull it. The permit triggers city or county inspections, and those inspections protect you. Larger jobs also need a recorded Notice of Commencement.
A good answer: “We pull the permit, schedule every inspection and give you the final sign-off.”
An answer that should worry you: “Permits just slow things down” or a request that you pull an owner-builder permit. An owner-builder permit makes you legally responsible for the work.
How we handle it: We pull every permit ourselves and keep you updated through each inspection.
4. Will you use Miami-Dade NOA or Florida Product Approved materials?
Every roofing product used in Florida needs state approval. Miami-Dade and Broward counties sit in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, where products must meet even stricter standards. A Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) shows a product passed tough wind and impact testing.
A good answer: The roofer names the exact product and can show you its approval number.
An answer that should worry you: “It’s all basically the same” or a vague product description on the estimate.
How we handle it: We list the exact products on your estimate and share the approval documents on request.
5. What happens if you find rotten decking?
Decking is the layer of plywood or boards under your shingles or tiles. Nobody can fully see it until the old roof comes off. In Florida’s humidity, soft or rotten spots are common, especially on older roofs.
A good answer: “Our contract lists a set price per sheet. We’ll photograph any damaged decking and show you before we replace it.”
An answer that should worry you: “We’ll figure it out when we get up there.” That opens the door to surprise charges.
How we handle it: Your estimate shows the per-sheet price up front, and we send photos before replacing any decking.
6. Can I get a written, itemized estimate?
An itemized estimate breaks the job into parts. Think tear-off, underlayment, roofing materials, flashing, decking, permit fees and debris removal. This lets you compare quotes line by line instead of guessing why one is cheaper.
Comparing two lump-sum quotes is a bit like comparing two grocery bills without the receipts. You know the totals, but you have no idea what you paid for.
A good answer: “Yes. Every line is in writing, and I’ll walk you through it.”
An answer that should worry you: A single number scribbled on a business card, or pressure to sign today to “lock in” the price.
How we handle it: Every FoxHaven estimate is written, itemized and free of hidden fees.
7. Who will actually work on my roof?
Many roofing companies sell the job and then hand it to subcontractors. That is not always a problem. Still, you deserve to know who will be on your roof and who is supervising them.
A good answer: The roofer tells you whether the crew is in-house and names the person in charge on site.
An answer that should worry you: “Whoever’s available that week.”
How we handle it: FoxHaven’s owner Andy Keys personally fields homeowner inquiries, with no rotating sales teams and no subcontracted crews.
8. What warranties come with my new roof?
Most roofs come with two warranties. The manufacturer warranty covers the materials. The workmanship warranty covers the installation. Ask how long each lasts, what voids it, and whether it transfers if you sell your home. Our guide to roof warranties in South Florida covers the fine print.
A good answer: Both warranties are explained in writing, with clear terms.
An answer that should worry you: “Don’t worry, we stand behind our work” with nothing on paper. Poor installation can also void a manufacturer warranty.
How we handle it: We put both warranties in writing and explain what each one covers before you sign.
9. How will you keep me updated during the job?
Florida weather changes fast. Rain delays and material shipments can shift your schedule. Good communication keeps those changes from turning into stress.
A good answer: “You’ll have one point of contact, and we’ll update you on any schedule change.”
An answer that should worry you: Calls that go unanswered once the deposit clears.
How we handle it: You can reach our team directly at any stage, and our owner personally fields homeowner questions.
10. How will you protect my property and clean up?
A roof tear-off is messy work. Old shingles, tiles and nails can land in your yard, pool or driveway.
A good answer: The roofer explains how they protect landscaping, where the dumpster goes, and how they sweep for loose nails.
An answer that should worry you: “We’ll clean up whatever we can.”
How we handle it: We protect your property during the job and do a full cleanup, including a nail sweep, before we leave.
11. What is your payment schedule?
A fair payment schedule ties payments to progress. Florida law also protects you here. If a contractor takes more than 10% of the contract price up front, they must apply for permits within 30 days and start work within 90 days after the permits are issued.
A good answer: A reasonable deposit, with the balance due at set milestones or on completion.
An answer that should worry you: Full payment up front, or “cash only.”
How we handle it: Our payment schedule is written into your contract, so you know exactly what is due and when.
12. Can I read reviews or talk to recent customers?
Reviews show you how a roofer treats people after the contract is signed. Look for recent, local reviews. Pay attention to how the company responds when something goes wrong.
A good answer: The roofer points you to reviews on Google and BBB, and can share recent local references.
An answer that should worry you: No reviews, only very old reviews, or a company that cannot point you to a single completed job nearby.
How we handle it: We hold a 4.9-star average from over 380 Google reviews. You can read our customer reviews anytime.
How to choose a roofer for an insurance claim in Florida
An insurance claim adds a second layer of decisions. You need a roofer who can do the work well and document the damage clearly. These steps help you choose the right one.
Start with a license check on MyFloridaLicense.com. Storm seasons bring out-of-town contractors and unlicensed operators. A quick search takes two minutes.
Ask if they have handled insurance claims before. An experienced roofer can provide the claim paperwork and photos your insurer needs.
Ask for a written, itemized estimate. You can compare it line by line with your adjuster’s estimate. Gaps are easier to spot and discuss.
Red flag: any roofer who offers to waive or cover your deductible. Under Florida Statute 489.147, a contractor who knowingly or willfully waives or rebates a deductible, with intent to injure, defraud or deceive, commits insurance fraud. It is a third-degree felony.
There are two more Florida rules that are worth knowing as a homeowner. Assignment of benefits agreements are no longer allowed on residential policies issued on or after January 1, 2023, so be wary of anyone who asks you to sign over your claim. And if you sign a roofing contract within 180 days of a declared state of emergency, you can cancel it without penalty within 10 days or by the official start date, whichever comes first.
If you are unsure where to start after a storm, talk to our team. We will help you understand your options before you commit to anything.
Which roofers should you avoid?
Most bad roofing experiences start with the same few warning signs. Be cautious with any roofer who:
- Knocks on your door right after a storm and pushes you to sign that day
- Cannot give you a license number or insurance certificates
- Asks for full payment or cash only before work begins
- Offers to cover your deductible or asks you to sign over your insurance claim
- Gives you a vague, one-line estimate
- Has no local address or verifiable reviews
You can learn more about common roofing scams in South Florida and how to spot them early.
Why do South Florida homeowners trust FoxHaven?
FoxHaven was founded to restore trust in the roofing industry. Managing Owner Andy Keys personally fields homeowner inquiries, the company uses no rotating sales teams and no subcontracted crews, and estimates carry zero hidden fees, which is why customers and third-party reviewers consistently describe FoxHaven’s follow-through as documented and reliable.
FoxHaven Roofing Group holds an A+ BBB rating, Owens Corning Top of the House Certified Contractor status, Metal Alliance 5-Star Partner certification, and Florida license CCC1331638, with a 4.9-star average from over 380 Google reviews. BBB accreditation dates to 2021, and BuildZoom ranked the company Top 5 in 2021.
You can learn more about FoxHaven and the people behind our work.
Hiring a roofer does not have to feel like a gamble. Bring these 12 questions to every estimate, and you will know quickly who deserves your trust. When you are ready, we are happy to answer every one of them for you. Talk to Our Team
Frequently asked questions
What are the top questions to ask a roofing contractor?
Start with the essentials. Ask for their Florida license number, insurance certificates, and who pulls the permit. Then ask about approved materials, rotten decking pricing, warranties, the payment schedule and recent reviews. A good roofer answers all of them clearly and in writing.
How do I know if a roofer is legit in Florida?
Look up their license on MyFloridaLicense.com and confirm it is active. Ask for current liability and workers’ comp certificates. Then check for a local address, recent Google reviews and a BBB profile.
Should a roofer pull the permit?
Yes. The licensed contractor doing the work should pull the permit. If a roofer asks you to pull an owner-builder permit, you take on legal responsibility for the job. Treat that request as a red flag.
What is the 25% rule in roofing?
Florida’s 25% rule used to require a full roof replacement to current code if 25% or more of the roof needed repair or replacement. A 2022 law changed that. If your roof was built or replaced under the 2007 Florida Building Code or a later edition, only the repaired section must meet current code. Older roofs may still fall under the original rule.
What should I not say to a roof insurance adjuster?
Stick to facts you know. Do not guess about what caused the damage or how old your roof is if you are not sure. Do not downplay leaks or damage you have seen. Avoid agreeing to a settlement amount on the spot before you have your own itemized estimate to compare.
How do I choose the right roofing contractor after an insurance claim?
Verify the roofer’s license first. Then ask about their claims experience, request a written, itemized estimate to compare with your adjuster’s, and avoid anyone who offers to waive your deductible. The insurance claim section above walks through each step.
