Just because a roofer near you has installation experience doesn’t mean they are the best option for installing or repairing your home’s roof.
Home maintenance is usually not a fun expense for any homeowner, especially when it comes to repairing or installing a new roof. The costs are typically jaw dropping and it can feel like you will not be able to afford the repairs or new roof your home needs. It can be very tempting to avoid signing a hefty contract with a roofing company and go with one of the best roofers your friends or family know. Their costs appear to be lower, they’ve done good work for those in your social circle in the past, and you can’t find anything bad about them online. However, take a second to think about this:
Do they hold a valid roofing license?
Are they insured?
Why can you not find anything about them online?
Do they have a crew?
How much experience do they have?
If you aren’t sure about any of these questions, these should all be red flags. In the state of Florida, every roofing is required to hold a valid roofing license and specific insurance in order to conduct business in the state. Those who meet the strict qualifications are more than happy to advertise their services and take reviews (both positive and negative) online.
Those who are not properly licensed, yet claim to be the best roofer in the area, are usually not online because they are not legally allowed to repair or install a roof on your home. Those who should not be working on your roof may not pull the required permits to make the repairs on your roof, which can make it nearly impossible to sell in the future.
This is barely scratching the surface of why roofing licenses are more important than you think. Continue reading if you want to learn more about this vital requirement put forth by the state in order to protect you and your home in the future.
Specific Requirements for Roofing Company Licenses In Florida
Each state has specific requirements for the best roofers to obtain their licenses. All of the below requirements must be met before the state of Florida will issue a roofing license:
- Must be 18 years old or older
- Must have four (4) years of experience
- Must pass roofing trade exam with a 70 percent or higher
- Must pass business and finance exam with a 70 percent or higher
- Must pass background check with fingerprints
- Must prove financial stability and responsibility
- Must carry general liability and property damage insurance along with worker’s compensation insurance
Many of the requirements are straight forward. However, Florida does have a few different ways an individual can prove their four years of experience. They are as following:
Construction-related degree from an accredited four-year college/university (this counts as three years of experience) along with one year of related hands-on experience
Three years of accredited college credits combined with one year of experience working as a foreman
Two years of accredited college credits combined with one year of experience working as a foreman and one year of experience as a worker
One year of accredited college credits combined with one year of experience working as a foreman and two years of experience as a worker
Four years of experience, in which one year was a foreman
Those who served our country have different methods for proving their experience options:
Three years serving the military combined with one year of experience as a foreman
Two years serving the military combined with one year of experience working as a foreman and one year of experience as a worker
One year serving the military combined with one year of experience working as a foreman and two years of experience as a worker
The reason the state of Florida requires the best roofers to prove their financial stability and responsibility is due to the fact roofing projects cost quite a bit for everyone involved. Between the supplies, materials, and labor, roofing companies must prove they can allocate the necessary funds to complete projects for their clients.
In order to prove their financial stability, anyone seeking a roofing license must submit their personal credit reports. If their credit score is less than 660, a bond or irrevocable letter of credit must be submitted. Those who wish to have 50 percent of credit requirement covered are eligible to sign up for a 14-hour financial responsibility course.
Why Do Some Roofers Not Obtain Licenses?
Aside from the numerous amount of time that must be dedicated to earning proven experience and studying two pass seven or more hours of testing, some roofers simply cannot meet all of the requirements.
Even if they have decades of experience, many unlicensed roofers do not have the financial stability required to obtain a license. Whether it be from bad decisions or an insufficient flow of cash, these roofers cannot prove that they should be trusted with such large financial projects.
Some of the best roofers in the area struggle with passing the exams because they are incredibly difficult. However, without increased difficulty levels, unqualified individuals would receive licenses like candy.Unfortunately, some roofers have a criminal history. In order to protect the citizens of the state, Florida requires a clean background. Those with a rough past simply cannot obtain a license, even if they can complete immaculate work.
What Happens If I Don’t Hire A Roofing Company with a Valid License
When you avoid hiring a roofing company with a valid roofing license, you are putting the entire project at risk. Your roof may not be completed on time (or ever) because the roofer does not have the funding to purchase the necessary materials. This may not seem like an issue now, but the last thing you want to do is work with a bankrupted roofer who can only complete half of your roof. You will have an incredibly difficult time finding any roofing contractor who will pick up where your bankrupted roofer left off because the work they did was not legal. You will be out money for the unfinished roof and whatever your new (and hopefully licensed) roofing contractor charges to complete the project. However, don’t be surprised if they have to rip everything out and start from square one.
Furthermore, The unlicensed roofer you pay under the table may not pull the appropriate permits for the city, so you may not be able to sell your house. You do not know if the roofer you hired has a dangerous criminal record, so you may be subject to theft or worse. If the individual(s) working on your roof gets injured, and they do not have worker’s compensation insurance, you may be liable for their hospital bills. They may not even know what they are doing, so your roof may start to leak after the first storm.
It doesn’t matter how many years of experience the roofer has because it is not worth the risk. Anyone getting on your roof needs to have a valid license in order to protect you, your home, and your assets from serious damages.
Contact us today to obtain your no obligation free estimate from the best roofers in the area. We are licensed and insured, so you can have peace of mind when we begin your roofing repair or installation. Also, be sure to follow our blog for more tips on avoiding costly pitfalls when choosing your roofing contractor!
– Ryan Listerman, Project Manager
