How to Choose a Commercial Roofing Contractor in Florida
Published March 2026 · Ocean Group Construction
Florida has more roofing contractors per capita than almost any state in the country. After every hurricane season, hundreds of new "roofers" appear with a truck and a business card. After a quiet storm year — like 2025 — many of those same contractors disappear, leaving behind unfinished jobs and worthless warranties. Here's how to separate the professionals from the pretenders.
1. Licensing — Non-Negotiable
In Florida, commercial roofing requires a Certified Roofing Contractor (CCC) or Certified General Contractor (CGC) license issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). This isn't optional — it's state law. Verify any contractor's license at myfloridalicense.com.
Red flag: If a contractor can't provide their license number immediately, walk away. If they offer to "pull permits under someone else's license," run.
2. Manufacturer Certifications
The manufacturer warranty on a commercial roofing system is only valid if the system was installed by a contractor certified by that manufacturer. This matters because manufacturer warranties (NDL — No Dollar Limit) cover both material AND labor for 15-30 years. Without certification, you get a material-only warranty that covers the membrane but not the $150,000 in labor to replace it.
Look for certifications from the major commercial roofing manufacturers: GAF, Carlisle, Versico, Firestone, Johns Manville, Sika, Tremco, and Soprema. A contractor certified by multiple manufacturers can recommend the best system for your building — not just the one system they're authorized to install.
3. Insurance — All Three Types
Require certificates of insurance for:
- General Liability — minimum $1M per occurrence, $2M aggregate. For commercial projects, many GCs require $5M+.
- Workers' Compensation — covers injuries on your property. Without it, YOU are liable if a roofer falls off your building.
- Commercial Auto — covers damage from contractor vehicles on your property.
4. Commercial-Specific Experience
Commercial roofing and residential roofing are fundamentally different trades. A contractor who's installed 1,000 residential shingle roofs has zero relevant experience for a 50,000 SF TPO re-roof on a warehouse. Ask for commercial project references — specifically projects similar in size, scope, and system type to yours. Ask to see them. Visit a current jobsite if possible.
5. Safety Record
Roofing is one of the most dangerous occupations in the country. A contractor's safety record reflects their professionalism, training investment, and management quality. Ask for their Experience Modification Rate (EMR) — a number below 1.0 means better than industry average. Many GCs require EMR below 0.85 for subcontractors.
6. Financial Stability
A 20-year manufacturer warranty is worthless if the installing contractor goes bankrupt in year 3 and can't fulfill service obligations. Look for contractors with established office locations, multi-year operating history, and the financial capacity to complete your project without front-loading payments.
Red Flags to Avoid
- Demands large deposits before starting work
- Can't provide references from the last 12 months
- Pressure tactics ("this price is only good today")
- No written scope of work or specification
- Unwilling to provide lien waivers
- Subcontracts 100% of the work to other crews
Ocean Group Construction holds CCC and CGC licenses, is certified by GAF, Carlisle, Versico, Firestone, Sika, Tremco, and Soprema, and maintains full insurance coverage. We've been serving Florida's commercial building owners, property managers, and general contractors since 2002.