Here in Central Florida, a reliable roofing contractor is worth their weight in gold.

Florida is known as one of the states where roofing scams run rampant, especially at the height of the summer hurricane season. You might find a so-called “roofing contractor” going from door to door to solicit business. Of course, these people are in no way qualified to work on your roof.

All too often, homeowners get conned out of thousands of dollars when they agree to transact in cash for roof repair. Without a paper trail, there’s no way to track the money. The scammer disappears and you’re left with the damaged roof – and a harder time finding a price you can afford.

What’s the key? Having a roofing contractor you trust before you actually need them.

Why It’s Crucial to Choose a Central Florida Roofing Contractor Now, Not Later

Most people don’t vet their roofing contractors until they actually need one.

While this makes sense, it can work against you here in Florida.

If you spring a leak during hurricane season, odds are good there are hundreds of other homeowners in the local area who are in the same boat. Reputable roofing contractors see their phones ringing off the hook after a storm, and they need to triage those calls to help the customers with the worst damage.

Even when they work their fastest, you could still end up waiting days.

This is precisely the situation roofing scammers wait for. They prey on people whose roofs have been hit by debris or have multiple obvious leaks. They especially focus on older targets, believing that it’s easier to convince them to part with their money. They truly have no conscience.

This is why it’s crucial to build a good relationship with a Central Florida roofer:

• You can get an annual roof inspection to pinpoint problems before the rain and wind
• You can have roof repairs done that may prevent your roof from leaking from storm damage
• When you need a roofer, you can contact your regular one and cut down on waiting time

Sometimes, people choose to take a risk on roofing scammers because they want to save money. In the long run, though, it only costs them. Having an unqualified person on your roof can invalidate warranties from your roofing manufacturer and may even put your homeowner’s insurance in jeopardy.

By contrast, Sheegog Contracting makes it easy for you to get started right away through our in-house roof financing. You never have to wait for the attention your roof needs. That’s true even if you decide to go for a complete roof replacement. A brand-new shingle roof or residential metal roof is within reach.

What to Look for in Your Central Florida Roofing Contractor

Luckily, there are plenty of honest Florida roofers to choose from.

The truth is, most qualified roofing professionals in Florida have the best of intentions. They want to do sound work, build a lasting relationship with you, and get paid a fair amount for what they offer. So, you’ll need to look closer to separate the “okay” or “good” Florida roofers from the great ones.

Here’s how to spot the difference:

1. The Best Roofers Have Years of Experience

Experience makes a huge difference in roofing. While you can learn the basics of the trade in as little as a year, delivering a solid customer experience takes much more. That includes knowing the work inside and out so you can estimate costs and scheduling.

An inexperienced roofer may offer you a lower price, but that will hardly matter if they end up needing to do more work than planned, buy the wrong materials, or don’t have the personnel on-site to do the job. Look for at least five years of experience to know you’re in trusted hands.

2. The Best Roofers Offer High-Quality Materials

Roofers do their work by purchasing roofing materials, like shingles and metal panels. An experienced roofer can get better prices on these materials by buying from a wholesaler or direct from the roofing brand once they’re known as dependable. That lets them pass the savings on to you.

Look for a roofer who has secured competitive credentials directly from roofing manufacturers. These certifications represent hundreds of hours of continuing education that result in a stronger and more beautiful roof. For instance, Sheegog Contracting is a GAF Certified Master Elite Roofing Contractor.

3. The Best Roofers Are Fully Licensed and Insured

In Florida, roofers must hold a license to practice. If you’re not sure whether a roofer is legitimate, you can look up their name or business on the Department of Business & Professional Regulation online license lookup. These records are required to be kept up to date.

A trustworthy contractor will gladly furnish evidence of their licensure, even if you don’t look it up. They should also be willing to provide proof of insurance. Insurance protects you, the homeowner, from any liability in the event a contractor is injured while working on your property.

4. The Best Roofers Live Where They Work

Sure, there are gigantic roofing contractors out there.

You’ll find some brands that cover the state, the region, or even the entire United States.

But are these companies really the right roofer in Central Florida for you?

It’s just our opinion, but our customer feedback speaks for itself: The bigger a company is, the less its roofers need to be concerned about repeat business. After all, even if you stick with that brand, there’s little likelihood you’ll work with that same roofer again. You may be dealing with sub-subcontractors.

With a smaller local business, every job counts, and every satisfied customer matters.

Seek out great reviews on sites like Google Reviews and Yelp to make sure your roofer cares.

5. The Best Roofers Are Upfront and Honest

Think about other professional services you’ve paid for lately.

You might have brought your car into the shop or used a tax preparer.

Would you trust these folks to have your best interests at heart if they wouldn’t answer your questions?

The first step for any business to really be transparent about how it helps you is to have a website like this one where you can look up information. The second, and just as important, is a willingness to answer questions on the phone or in person.

If you can’t get full answers, move on.

From Roof Repair to Roof Replacement, Sheegog Contracting Is Here for You

At Sheegog Contracting, we know roofing projects can be stressful and confusing for homeowners. Our goal is to make things easier. We offer clear advice and give you the facts so you can make an informed decision. And when you choose our team, you get everything in writing so there are no surprises.

That’s the cornerstone of the Sheegog Contracting five-part roofing method.

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