To choose a good roofing contractor in Jacksonville: verify their Florida roofing license (CCC or RC) at myfloridalicense.com, confirm active insurance (liability and workers' comp), check Google reviews and BBB rating, get 3+ written estimates with detailed scope, and verify they pull permits. Avoid contractors who demand large upfront deposits, pressure immediate decisions, or can't provide local references.
Roofing Contractor Selection Checklist
- ☐ Florida roofing license (CCC or RC) - verify at myfloridalicense.com
- ☐ Current liability insurance ($1M+ recommended)
- ☐ Workers' compensation insurance or valid exemption
- ☐ Positive reviews on Google, BBB (check for patterns)
- ☐ Local physical address (not just PO box)
- ☐ Written detailed estimate with materials specified
- ☐ Pulls permits and schedules inspections
- ☐ Manufacturer certifications (preferred)
What Makes a Good Roofing Contractor?
A quality roofing contractor should have:
- Proper Licensing: Florida-specific roofing license (not just general contractor)
- Insurance Coverage: Protects you if something goes wrong
- Proven Track Record: Years in business with verifiable local work
- Clear Communication: Responsive, explains work clearly, answers questions
- Professional Process: Written estimates, contracts, permits, clean job sites
- Fair Pricing: Competitive but not suspiciously low
Step 1: Verify License and Insurance
Check the Florida License
Every Florida roofing contractor must hold one of these licenses:
- CCC (Certified Roofing Contractor): State-certified, can work anywhere in Florida
- RC (Registered Roofing Contractor): Registered for specific counties
To verify:
- Ask for their license number
- Go to myfloridalicense.com
- Enter the license number or business name
- Verify status is "Current, Active"
- Confirm business name matches
Verify Insurance
Request and verify:
- General Liability: $1 million minimum recommended (covers property damage)
- Workers' Compensation: Covers injuries to workers on your property
Don't just look at certificates, call the insurance company to verify policies are current. Contractors sometimes let policies lapse.
Why This Matters
If an unlicensed or uninsured contractor damages your property or a worker gets injured, YOU may be liable. Your homeowner's insurance may deny claims for work done by unlicensed contractors.
Need Professional Help?
Gimo's Roofing offers free inspections and estimates throughout Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.
Step 2: Check Reputation and References
Online Reviews
- Google Reviews: Look for 4+ stars with 50+ reviews
- BBB Rating: Check for complaints and how they were resolved
- Facebook/Yelp: Additional review sources
When reading reviews, look for patterns:
- Multiple complaints about the same issue (communication, cleanup, etc.)
- How the company responds to negative reviews
- Recent reviews (not just old ones)
Local References
Ask for 3-5 recent local references and actually call them. Ask about timeline, communication, cleanup, and whether they'd hire the company again.
Step 3: Get Detailed Written Estimates
Get at least 3 estimates and make sure each includes:
- Scope of Work: Exactly what's being done (tear-off, decking, materials)
- Materials Specified: Brand, model, warranty class of shingles/materials
- Timeline: Start date, expected completion, weather contingency
- Total Price: Broken down by labor and materials
- Payment Terms: Deposit, progress payments, final payment
- Warranty Information: Manufacturer warranty + workmanship warranty
- Permit Information: Who pulls permits, what inspections included
Comparing Estimates
The lowest price isn't always best. Compare apples-to-apples: same materials, same scope. A significantly lower bid may mean cutting corners on materials, labor, or skipping permits.
Red Flags: Contractors to Avoid
- Door-to-Door After Storms: "Storm chasers" often do poor work and disappear
- Large Upfront Deposits: Florida law limits deposits; legitimate contractors don't need 50%+ upfront
- Pressure Tactics: "Price is only good today" or "Sign now" pressure
- No Physical Address: Just a phone number or PO box
- Cash Only: Legitimate businesses accept multiple payment methods
- No Written Contract: Everything should be in writing
- Won't Pull Permits: Unpermitted work creates problems
- Out-of-State Plates: Storm chasers often travel from other states
- Suspiciously Low Bids: 30%+ below other estimates is a warning sign
Questions to Ask Potential Contractors
- What is your Florida roofing license number?
- Can I see your certificate of insurance?
- How long have you been in business in Jacksonville?
- Will you pull the permit and schedule inspections?
- Who will be the project manager for my job?
- What materials do you recommend and why?
- What warranty do you offer on workmanship?
- How do you handle unexpected issues (rotten decking, etc.)?
- What's your payment schedule?
- Can you provide local references I can contact?
At Gimo's Roofing, we're happy to answer all these questions and provide verification of our Florida roofing license and insurance. We've been serving Jacksonville for over 15 years, and we offer roof financing options to make your project affordable.
Get a Free Roofing Estimate
Instant online pricing or schedule an in-person assessment. Financing available from $99/month.
You Might Also Read
- Signs You Need a New Roof - Visual guide to spotting problems
- How to Choose a Roofing Contractor - Avoid scams, find quality
- Roof Replacement Cost Jacksonville - 2026 pricing guide
Key Takeaways: Choosing a Roofing Contractor
- • Verify license: Check myfloridalicense.com for active CCC or RC license
- • Confirm insurance: Call the insurance company to verify current coverage
- • Check reviews: Look for patterns in Google, BBB, and other platforms
- • Get 3+ estimates: Written, detailed, with materials specified
- • Avoid red flags: Storm chasers, big deposits, pressure, no permits
- • Ask questions: Good contractors welcome questions and provide clear answers
What Real Customers Say About Gimo's Roofing
Don't just take our word for it. Here's what Jacksonville homeowners say about working with us:
"Gimo's roofing company did a fantastic job for me from start to finish. There was a whole crew at my house at 0700 sharp. They completed my roof in one day and it looks great! They paid attention to every detail I requested and when they were finished, they cleaned up like they were never there."
Mark Jackson, Google Review
"Ivan handled this whole experience in a timely manner from the insurance process to getting the roof done with impressive workers. As a Realtor he came highly referred by people in my field. He is a very pleasant person to work with. He is a professional."
Jennifer Kirby, Google Review
"Ivan was very professional, very timely! He came out to give me a quote and addressed all my questions about my roof. Pricing for my roof was exceptional! Started as agreed and finished in one day. I would definitely recommend Gimo's to anyone."
Barbara Leonard, Google Review
Visit Us
Looking for a trusted Jacksonville roofing contractor? Contact Gimo's Roofing for a free estimate. We're licensed, insured, and happy to provide references. Call (904) 606-5313.
