How to Choose a Commercial Roofing Contractor in Florida (Without Getting Burned)

Your building and its contents are important assets. Your property’s roof system protects your employees and keeps your business operational. So when you’re facing a re-roofing or a repair, choosing the right roofing contractor in Florida is vital for your business. There are a few key things you’ll want in a roofing partner. Discover the non-negotiables in a commercial roofing professional partnership. 

3 Non-Negotiables for Commercial Roofing Contractors in Florida

If you’re looking to enter a new partnership with a commercial roofing company, there are three must-haves before you even consider a contractor. These three things determine not only whether they get the job done, but also whether they can do it well and safely in Florida’s extreme climate. 

Experience and Good Local Reputation

Property owners often view roofing services as “commodities.” It can be tempting to think: “There are 50 commercial roofing companies in my area, so I can just choose the cheapest because they all do the same thing.” But not all commercial roofers are created equal.

Roofing companies pop up all the time, but they may not have the portfolio or experience to back up their claims. For example, is the company you’re looking to hire 3 years old or 40 years old? If you want the security of experience, the one with decades of experience is often better than newer options. 

Other questions to ask yourself include:

• Are they from another part of the state or country, or are they headquartered locally? (This is especially important in Florida, where hurricanes and your proximity to the coast can impact your roof significantly.) 
• What’s their online and word-of-mouth presence like? Are they active online and in the community?
• Do they have an upstanding reputation among other business owners and general contractors in the community? Especially in your same industry?
• What projects have they done, and do they have them publicly listed on their website?

The answers to these questions can show how trustworthy the roofing company is. A company already recommended by other commercial property managers is a safer bet than one with few to no third-party reviews or word-of-mouth recommendations. 

Licensed and Insured

Once you’ve checked the experience and time in business boxes off the list during your search, the next factors to consider are licensing and insurance. Florida requires roofers to be licensed. Most contractors will display their license numbers on their fleet vehicles and/or their website. You can also look up their state licensing info on the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) website. A licensed roofing contractor in Florida is a crucial way to protect your business and confirm the contractor’s legitimacy—without a license, the work could be done poorly or even void your own roof’s insurance. 

Besides being licensed, you also want your commercial roofing contractor to be appropriately insured. In other words, even if a contractor is insured, you want to make sure they’re not underinsured. A good rule of thumb is to look for coverage limits in the 7-figure range ($1–2 million).

Efficient Bidding Process

Lastly, experienced commercial roofing contractors will have an effective, efficient bidding process. Because experienced contractors frequently do commercial roofing bids, they make proposals clear, succinct, and competitively priced. They tend not to overbid or underbid. If the contractor checks most of the other boxes like experience, licensing, and insurance, you want to consider contractors that bid in the middle to lower end of the range.

When there’s a significant price difference, it’s important to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples with proposals. In other words, compare the line items between competing proposals to see what you would actually be paying for. One may be substantially lower in price but include far fewer line items and more ambiguity. Price alone shouldn’t be the sole determining factor.

What Are Roofing Contractor Red Flags?

If your roofing contractor has the three things listed above, you’re in a good place to start with a professional roofing contractor. However, watch for these red flags during conversations or the bidding process: 

• An unusually low bid
• Insisting on a re-roof or tear-off before any inspection 
• No manufacturer approval on the materials they use
• Not providing a written quote or estimate
• You feel highly pressured to work with them
• Licensing and insurance information not readily available 
• They don’t provide good communication
• No clear warranty information
• Not providing line items in the proposal
• They contact you or come to your building immediately following a hurricane

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If the roofing contractor doesn’t want to provide answers or can’t, you may want to move forward with another contractor who has proven trustworthiness and is willing to answer your questions. 

Big D Provides Professional Commercial Roofing in Ocala and Surrounding Areas

Working with a reputable, experienced, local commercial roofing company like Big D gives you the knowledge and expertise you need to make the best decisions for your business.

We provide exceptional customer service and follow industry best practices. We use high-quality roofing materials to provide our customers with beautiful roofs that last.

If your commercial property is located in Ocala, FL, The Villages, FL, Gainesville, FL, or the surrounding area, contact us today to get started on your roof installation or repair!