How to choose a roofer in Tampa Bay

A roof is one of the biggest jobs a house gets, and most people hire a roofer only a few times in their lives. The good news: the checks that matter are simple, and you can do most of them yourself before anyone climbs a ladder.

Start with the job you need

A leak, a storm-damaged section, an inspection for insurance or a full re-roof are different jobs, and not every roofer does all of them or works with every material. You can filter the directory by roof repair, replacement, inspection or storm damage, and by shingle, metal, tile or flat roofs.

Across 26 areas we list 512 roofers (as of November 6, 2026): 429 for repairs, 462 for replacements and 374 for inspections.

Check the licence yourself

Florida licenses roofing contractors through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Ask for the licence number, then look it up on myfloridalicense.com and check that the name matches and the licence is active. How to check a licence walks through it.

326 roofers in the directory publish a licence number. We show it as published; look it up before you sign.

Insurance: ask for the certificates

Roofing is work at height on your property. Ask for a certificate of liability insurance and proof of workers' compensation cover, and check the names and dates. Calling the insurer named on a certificate is a normal thing to do.

336 roofers state that they are insured. We do not see the policies themselves.

Ask who pulls the permit

Roof replacements, and many repairs, need a building permit from your city or county. Ask who will pull it, and ask to see it before work starts. If you are not sure whether your job needs one, your local building department can tell you.

88 roofers say they pull permits.

Get the estimate in writing

• Exactly what is included: tear-off, underlayment, flashing, vents, drip edge, clean-up and disposal.
• The material, brand and product line.
• How rotten decking found during the job is priced.
• The payment schedule, and what is due before work starts.
• The workmanship warranty, separate from the manufacturer’s product warranty.

0 roofers publish at least one price, 357 roofers mention free estimates and 150 roofers state a workmanship warranty.

Manufacturer certifications

Shingle makers run contractor programmes, and some extended product warranties are only offered through certified installers. If a roofer names one, check it on that manufacturer’s own contractor locator.

138 roofers state a manufacturer certification.

Questions to ask

• What is your licence number, and whose name is it in?
• Can you send your liability and workers' comp certificates?
• Who pulls the permit, and who books the inspections?
• Who will be on the roof: your crew or a subcontractor?
• What does your workmanship warranty cover, and for how long?

Every profile on Local Roofing Finder shows these checks in one place. How we source them · Repair or replace?