How to Choose a Roofing Contractor in Tampa Bay (Red Flags to Avoid)

After a big storm, Tampa Bay fills up with roofing crews — some excellent, some you should run from. Here’s how to pick a contractor you can trust.

Green flags (what good roofers have)

• Licensed & insured in Florida — ask for the license number and verify it
• Local and established — not an out-of-state “storm chaser” here for the season
• Itemized written quotes — tear-off, decking, underlayment, material, labor, permit
• Pulls permits and follows Florida code
• Real reviews and references you can check

🚩 Red flags (walk away)

• Pressures you to sign immediately or “today only” pricing
• Asks for a large cash deposit up front
• Promises a “free roof” or to “handle the insurance” so you pay nothing
• No permit, no license number, no physical address
• A bid dramatically lower than the rest (thin material, skipped decking, no permit)

Questions to ask

1. What’s your Florida license number?
2. Is the tear-off and decking repair included?
3. Will you pull the permit?
4. What warranty comes with the material and the labor?
5. Can I see local references?

Work performed by licensed pros

At Tommy The Roofer, your project is handled by our licensed, insured roofing partner — fully permitted and code-compliant, no high-pressure games. Get a free, no-pressure estimate and compare for yourself.