Learn how to Hire Smart!

By Emma Peterson.

Here are some tips to finding a trusted roofing contractor.

Editor’s note: Share this with homeowners to help them understand the process of hiring a roofing professional.

In 2023, the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Association (FRSA) launched their “Hire Smart” campaign. This was a response to the many calls and messages they received over the years from homeowners looking for information about licensed and trusted contractors. A roof is a huge investment and is also key to protecting what matters most to you, everything below the eaves. This campaign’s goal is to make it easier for homeowners to know how to differentiate between fraudulent businesses and licensed professionals so they can rest easy under a secure roof.  

Here are some tips about how you can set yourself up for success and Hire Smart!

First, if you have roof damage there are a few initial steps that you must take. You should contact your insurance company to see what they can cover and what information they need about the damage from you. From there, you should get at least three written estimates from licensed contractors. Getting multiple is important because it’s good to have multiple perspectives looking at the problem. Each of the written estimates should include information about the labor requirements, material needs, any warranty options and the overall repair cost.  

But how do you pick which contractors to try and get estimated from?

You should make sure they are certified. All the contractors who are a part of FRSA’S database of listed, licensed contractors are held to a high standard of business ethics by the association. This means that this is a good place to start your search. While you are looking up possible contractors, take the time to look at the reviews for each business and check to see if there are any complaints. Another thing to check is that each contractor has workers comp and liability insurance.  

Those are what to look for, but there are also some red flags to keep an eye out for. First, do not use an unlicensed or out of state contractor. Further, if a contractor advertises the fastest or cheapest quotes, it usually turns out to be the opposite. Finally, when it comes to paying, do not pay in full before the work is completed and be aware that most checks are made out to the company, be cautious if you’re asked to write one to an individual.

To learn more about how to Hire Smart, check out the rest of the videos in the campaign!