When you need help with storm damage in Central Florida, you have no time to wait.

And your project shouldn’t be your roofer’s first rodeo.

Storm damage in Central Florida is a fact of life. Even though we’re more protected from severe weather and flooding than coastal communities, it’s important not to let down our guard. Major storms can and do happen, sometimes even before the official start of the season.

When storm damage occurs, your whole home can be at risk.

For example, many Florida homeowners don’t realize that their homeowner’s insurance requires them to take immediate action on roof damage, preventing it from getting any worse. Fail to lay a waterproof tarp on damaged areas as soon as it’s safe to do so and you could be in for major complications.

More and more Florida property insurers are terminating policies due to the age of the roof. This often happens around the ten-year mark, when the roof is about halfway through its service life. Even if there is no damage and the roof is not in need of replacement, insurers can still drop a policy.

Needless to say, they can be even more aggressive when a roof is known to be damaged.

As recently as a few years ago, summer meant working with homeowners to repair and restore their roofs. It was, and still can be around-the-clock work. But these days, more people are opting to have storm damage completely replaced with a new roof.

That’s a much bigger project, and you need to know who to trust.

Before Roof Replacement, Thoroughly Vet Your Central Florida Roofing Contractor

Don’t let anyone up on your roof until they’ve proven they’re trustworthy.

Floridians know that when someone is going door to door offering to fix a roof for cash, they’re not all they’re cracked up to be. But the wrong choice for your roof can be a lot more subtle than that.

Sometimes, a roofer might be perfectly competent and have the best of intentions, but still not be the best person to do the job you need to be done. To know that, you just need to ask the right questions.

Don’t be pushed into a hasty decision because of the nature of your roof damage or anything that a would-be contractor tells you. Stick to the facts, and compare several options before you decide. A reputable Central Florida roofer knows this is a big decision, especially for first-time homeowners.

So, how can you get the information you need in three questions or less?

Start here:

Question 1: “Can I see proof of your Florida roofing license and insurance?”

In Florida, a certified contractor is licensed at the state level and can work anywhere. On the other hand, a registered contractor is licensed at the local level and can only operate within a specific community. In some cases, local licensure extends throughout an entire Florida county.

In general, the requirements for a certified contractor are steeper, and those who’ve gotten certified tend to have more experience behind them before they do. Either way, however, a legitimate Florida roofer will never balk at questions about licensure.

Yes, you can look up roofing licenses yourself online – but it doesn’t hurt to ask. If the person you’re talking to is evasive in any way, you can move on. And that holds just as true when it comes to roofer insurance. Both workers’ compensation and roofing liability coverage need to be in place.

Check out this overview of licensure requirements to know what to look for.

Question 2: “What’s your roof replacement process?”

This might seem like a vague question, but it tells you a lot.

First of all, a good Florida roofer should have an answer to this question. At Sheegog Contracting, we’ve developed a five-step roofing project plan based on what works best for our customers. Everyone on the team knows it by heart, and it helps us deliver excellent results every single time.

Your roofing contractor should be able to walk you through the roof replacement step by step. During that explanation, you should find out exactly what to expect from their team. That should include clear steps to take if, after starting the project, the roofer believes there will be additional costs.

Project management is a huge part of roofing success. It’s what ensures consistency. When you get a detailed explanation, it means real thought has gone into it. On the other hand, new contractors will often focus on getting through the conversation and getting you to sign on the dotted line.

At this stage of the conversation, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to find out exactly what you get in writing. Your initial free estimate should form the basis of the contract you ultimately sign. A contract, in turn, needs to spell out the steps, timeline, and costs of the entire project.

Question 3: “Can I talk to one of your satisfied customers?”

This is so good for throwing off unqualified contractors, it’s practically a trick question.

But there’s nothing mean about it. After all, you are protecting your home and family.

Part of having relationships in the community is building the trust for repeat business. Even if they don’t routinely collect customer testimonials, a roofer should be able to think of a few people who might be willing to talk to you – and all the better if they’ve had roof replacement work done just like your own.

Sometimes, you’ll find a contractor has testimonials on their website. This is a good sign, especially if they’re video testimonials featuring real people. But even so, it’s hard to verify these are authentic. If you talk to a customer, you can get inside insight into what it’s like to work with your prospective roofer.

It might take a few days or even a week for a roofer to come up with a reference – that’s okay, life happens. But if they’re not willing to entertain the idea, something is wrong.

Sheegog Contracting Is Here to Help After Central Florida Storm Damage

No matter who you choose for roof replacement, we want to help you make an informed decision.

Roofers get booked during storm season and might be busier than they are at any other time of year. But with enough experience, a Central Florida roofer can do the job fast and right. You never have to worry that you have no one to turn to Sheegog Contracting is here to help.

Our proven roofing methodology means there are never any surprises during your roof replacement. Our goal is to make your life easier, with clear consultations, written estimates, and all the time you need to evaluate the facts before you commit.

We also offer financing so you never have to put off work that critical.

Contact us today to find out more or get started. We look forward to meeting you soon.