Over the years, many Florida homeowners have found themselves in the unfortunate position of needing emergency roof repair after storm damage.

Although Central Florida homes are a bit more protected than our coastal neighbors, heavy weather can still cause problems that need to be fixed immediately. When roof repair is necessary, hours count. The longer you wait, the more severe the problem becomes.

Even once the rain and wind stop, water damage can continue as moisture spreads through the roof’s interior. If shingles are damaged, there are plenty of places for water to penetrate. It may even get down deep into the structural elements of your roof.

With this in mind, looking for emergency roof repair is one of the most stressful times in the life of any local resident. It’s always wise to have the name and number of a Central Florida roofer you trust on speed dial for a situation like this.

Unfortunately, even the best roofer can only do so many projects at the same time. If you find yourself waiting longer than you would like for roof repair, it might seem like a disaster. But there can actually be a positive result in the long run depending on your needs.

Many homeowners believe that they can save the most money by extending the life of their roof. But just as with a car, successive repairs have a tendency to get more and more expensive. At a certain point, it is no longer viable to continue repairs – you should consider replacement.

Roof replacement may seem like a big job and that can be intimidating. But if you go forward with it at the right time, you may end up saving tens of thousands of dollars in comparison to trying to keep your old roof intact. And having a new roof can give you more options for what to do with your property.

Plus, it can be part of a strategy to keep your homeowner’s insurance costs under control.

Major Insurers Are Getting Much More Strict When It Comes to Florida Roof Repair

Even if you decide not to go with Sheegog Contracting, there are dozens of legitimate Central Florida roofers who will do their best for you. Unfortunately, Florida has always had a problem with roofing scams – where con artists go down the street posing as roofers and prey on vulnerable homeowners.

Because they ask for payment in cash, scammers like this make off with millions of dollars each year.

The scam is most common right in the aftermath of a major storm during the Atlantic hurricane season. They know as well as you do that good local roofers are working around the clock, and they seem to give you a chance to get your Florida roof repair done faster. But that simply isn’t the case.

Once the cash has been handed over, they usually disappear – never to be heard from again.

Insurers have looked at this and other factors and cracked down in recent years. Even though Florida has some of the best building codes in the United States, insurer liability related to roofing continues to go up. Insurers are always out to save money, so they have enacted higher standards for what they will accept.

This has led to a sea change in what Florida homeowners can expect from their policies.

If Your Roof is More Than 10 Years Old, You May Be Better Off with Roof Replacement

The centerpiece of the recent changes has to do with older homes and roofs.

Compared to homes in other regions of the country, homes in the South tend to be younger. In fact, the average age of a home throughout the South is just 31 years. Younger properties are easier to insure, but the catch comes in when the age of the roof is considered.

While many roofing manufacturers will claim their products last for 20 years or more, that is not usually the case here in Florida. Because of the combination of high heat, extreme weather events, and salt air in coastal areas, shingle roofs can have anywhere from 5-10 years cut off their lifespan.

Their service can be extended with regular roof inspections and maintenance, but many homeowners do not take the time to do this. Unfortunately, that means Florida roofs can turn out to be far more fragile than they look. Sometimes, homeowners don’t have the documentation to be sure of a roof’s age.

To hold down the cost of roof repair, many large insurers are starting to take action.

That may include:

1. Dropping Current Homeowner’s Insurance Coverage

Look closely at your homeowner’s insurance policy and you may learn that your insurer has the right to demand information from you to evaluate the insurability of your property. This can happen any time, even when the home has been consistently insured for many, many years.

Plenty of Florida homeowners have been surprised to receive a letter from their insurer asking them to provide details on the roof, including the last time it was fully replaced, the manufacturer, and so on. This goes beyond a wind mitigation inspection, which homeowners can initiate themselves.

It’s not surprising that homeowners can be caught by surprise and not have all the information requested. If you bought your home years ago, it can be hard to remember where to find this documentation or whether the seller provided it at all.

In some cases, homeowners have been required to pay money out of pocket to have their roof inspected and then turn over the inspection report to the insurer. Investing in this extra layer of confirmation does not necessarily mean they will be able to keep their policy, however.

Some insurers have dropped coverage for roofs that are ten years old or older, and this shows every sign of becoming a consistent trend. Note that this pertains mainly to conventional shingle roofs. Residential metal roofs and tile roofs, which are designed to last 50 years or more, are generally exempt.

Losing coverage unexpectedly can be a real headache for homeowners.

There are two big issues that can arise from losing your homeowner’s insurance:

a. Unexpected Costs for Formerly Covered Events

Homeowner’s insurance helps protect your home when the unexpected happens. While most coverage is specifically for the structure itself, some coverage typically applies to your personal belongings. Some events frequently covered by homeowner’s insurance include fire and theft.

If a formerly covered event takes place during a lapse in coverage, you will almost always find yourself on the hook for the full cost. This can be a truly devastating outcome if you lose a lot of property from smoke damage, water damage, or mold, all of which can be difficult and time-consuming to fix.

b. Trouble with Your Mortgage Lender

Even if you have always been careful to pay your mortgage on time, you could end up in trouble with a lender if your homeowner’s insurance is revoked – even if it was in no way your fault. This is especially true if your loan agreement also requires you to hold mortgage insurance.

As a rule of thumb, lenders care most about the next inhabitant of a home. An uninsured property is more likely to sustain costly damage, and in the event ownership reverts to the bank, it would need to remediate those issues before putting the property back on the market.

With that in mind, mortgage lenders take a dim view of lapses in insurance coverage for any reason. While they may be more flexible than they would for matters of non-payment, you could still find yourself paying fines while you look for another source of insurance.

That compounds the problem, since you will probably end up paying more for your homeowner’s insurance if you look for another vendor. They, too, will ask about the roof, and may assess extra expenses because of its age. All in all, this can be a difficult cycle to get out of.

2. Inability to Sell or Buy a Property Where Coverage Has Been Withheld

When homes change hands, insurance coverage changes as well. Homeowner’s insurance must be ready to go on the day of closing. Unfortunately, a failure to get covered can throw a transaction into chaos. It often happens just days before closing was scheduled to proceed.

To protect their interests, lenders must be fully assured that the home is safe to inhabit. The rules are even more strict for certain first-time homebuyer programs, such as those sponsored by the federal government. That means more scrutiny for your roof as a FHA, USDA, or VA loan-holder.

When coverage is going to be withheld, there are usually some signs early on in the process. Virtually all buyers using mortgage loan financing will be required to get a complete home inspection. During this inspection, the entire structure is examined from top to bottom.

There are a few major issues each home inspection focuses on:

• Roofing system
• Electrical wiring
• Septic or sewer

Of all of these, the roof is the one guaranteed to receive the most attention. A septic or sewer check can be as simple as running the water in the home, while the electrical wiring usually cannot be checked in much detail unless a trained technician opens up the walls.

If a home inspection turns up problems with the roof, it should be considered a red flag. Even if a buyer wishes to go forward, the lender may not permit it. Sellers can respond to this scenario in different ways, but the best move is usually to “bite the bullet” and move forward with replacing the roof.

Even if you find a buyer for an “as-is” home with an aging, damaged roof, that person may not be able to get homeowner’s insurance under current Florida insurance rules. You could then end up with a home that you can’t sell, adding months to your timeline.

End Your Roof Woes with a Central Florida Roofer You Can Rely On

As a Florida resident, you have options. You don’t need to be trapped. An experienced Central Florida roofer can help you make sure you have a safe, secure, high quality roof that will protect your home and family. The sooner you get started, the easier it is to avoid unexpected financial entanglements.

There comes a point where continued roof repair will not add appreciably to the service life of a roof or reduce the costs associated with ownership. But when you opt for a roof replacement, your entire home gets a new lease on life. That makes it much easier to do whatever you desire to do with the property.

You might think that Central Florida roof replacement is a lot more complicated than roof repair. While it is true there are a lot more “moving parts,” it remains just as simple for you, the customer. Sheegog Contracting’s proven five-step system means you never have to worry about roof replacement:

1. The Meeting

Here at Sheegog Contracting, we believe you should always have the information you need to make an informed decision before you move forward. That starts with fact-finding from our side, which includes visiting your home to understand your specific needs. Once we have your take and a sense of what the current roof’s situation is, we can put together a tailored plan of action to deliver the results you want.

2. The Scope

The scope of work is the next step that later turns into a complete written plan – and a “no surprises” contract you can sign off on. We fully survey the property, often with more than one expert roofer on site. We perform complete documentation of all the relevant details so the job gets done right the first time. We also partner with you to select the best design and materials for all of your roofing objectives.

3. The Plan

The plan is one of the biggest ways Sheegog Contracting stands apart from the other guys. We develop and clearly document a customized roof replacement plan, then review it with you one detail at a time. Although your final price is not locked in until we can order the materials, we give you plenty of time to consider and will always answer all of your questions. Once you approve, we can begin work right away.

4. The Project

Clear communication is the key to giving you peace of mind throughout the project. We will inform you about anything and everything affecting your roof well in advance. We bring all our own equipment and materials, reducing our use of your water and electricity. Safety is the top priority among our team. We will always treat your property with respect and minimize our impact to your daily routine.

5. The Follow Through

At Sheegog Contracting, we’re not satisfied until you are. When the roof replacement is complete, we will conduct a detailed inspection of all the work, ensuring it meets our high-quality standards. You are invited to supervise or review. We also completely clean up roofing debris using advanced nail detectors and other tools. Once we’re done, it will be like we were never there!

Your Central Florida Roof Replacement Can Be Easier Than You Ever Thought

Wondering about the cost of a roof replacement? “How much does a roof replacement cost in Florida” is one of the most common questions we get. Thanks to our long history in the community, we are able to work with you to provide financing for your roof replacement. You never need to put it off!

Roof repair can work for years, especially if you couple it with annual inspections and preventative roof maintenance. But, in the long run, roof replacement is the best way to make sure you are getting all the value possible from your roof. When that day comes, Sheegog Contracting is here to help you.

With our winning combination of proven expertise, friendly customer service, and unbeatable project management, we are the roofing team your friends and neighbors already trust when they are in need.

Contact us to find out more or get started on a convenient Central Florida roof replacement.