Get Quotes from Top Roofing Contractors in Jacksonville, FL

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofing Contractor in Jacksonville

Although most roofs are designed to last more than two decades without replacement, severe weather events such as hurricanes and heavy rainstorms which are fairly common in Jacksonville can damage your roof in the mid of its lifespan. Besides weather damages, you may also need a roofing contractor if the initial roof was poorly installed or you need an upgrade. Before hiring a local roofing contractor in Jacksonville to handle your roof repairs, ensure that the individual is experienced enough to complete the job properly. Besides having the necessary skills to install and repair your roof, you should also ask if they are conversant with the Florida Building Code.

To ensure you hire a reputable and experienced roofer in Jacksonville, you should ask the following questions:

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Roofing Contractor in Jacksonville?

When choosing a roofing contractor for your project, it is important that they have the necessary licensing and permits. To carry out roofing activities in the city, such as roof repairs and replacements, roofers must first obtain a license from the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulations (DBPR).

Individuals who intend to obtain a roofing contractor license can apply to be licensed under any of the two contractor categories offered by the DBPR:

  • Certified Roofing Contractors: As a certified roofing contractor, the individual will be authorized to perform work in any jurisdiction within Florida within the scope of their license.
  • Registered Roofing Contractors: This allows the license holder to perform roofing work for which they have been licensed only in specified locations in Florida.

Roofing contractors interested in getting certified or registered must complete a license application via the DBPR's online platform. Alternatively, you can fill out and submit a printable application form to:

Department of Business and Professional Regulation
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783

However, certain requirements must be met to be considered for these licenses. These include

  • Applicants must be 18 years.
  • Writing and passing a professional examination.
  • Provide proof of at least four years of experience or a combination of experience and education.
  • Provide proof of public liability and property damage insurance.
  • Have a background check carried out.
  • Provide proof of financial stability and responsibility by submitting credit reports.
  • Pay all relevant licensing fees.

To get more information about the application process, contact the DBPR's Customer Contact Center online or at (850) 487-1395. It is unlawful for anyone in Jacksonville to perform any commercial or residential roofing work without being registered or certified as a licensed roofing contractor. Roofers who violate this law may be required to pay up to a $10,000 fine. You can also check the validity of your state-issued roofing contractor license by utilizing the DBPR's Verify a License search portal.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Roofers in the City?

The roofing service cost in Jacksonville can vary depending on the type of services you require. For instance, replacing an existing roof might cost more than repairing damaged sections. Also, factors like the size of the project, the type of material used, and the nature of the work will determine how much you will pay for roofing services.

Since the cost of roofing can vary depending on the type of work that you require, it is important that you get and compare bids from multiple roofing contractors near you. However, before hiring a contractor, make sure you do not settle with the contractor with the lowest bid. This usually indicates that the roofing contractor may be dishonest or fraudulent.

Roofers in Jacksonville earn an average wage of $40,320 annually. The average hourly wages of roofers in Jacksonville and those of roofers in other areas of Florida, as well as other major cities in the country, are compared below:

Jacksonville Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$19.39
Pensacola Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$16.14
Tallahassee Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$19.23
Miami Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$20.63
Cape Coral Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$20.42
Port St. Lucie Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$19.35
Los Angeles Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$29.11
Washington D.C. Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$25.52
Houston Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$19.78
Phoenix Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$23.41
Chicago Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$31.74
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Will You Get the Roofing Permits Required as per the Jacksonville Building Code?

In the City of Jacksonville, permits are required for various construction projects, such as re-roofing, roof repairs, and roofing installation. Failure to obtain permits can result in an administrative fine of up to $250. The Building Inspection Division of the Jacksonville Department of Planning and Development is responsible for issuing permits.

Permits are usually granted to licensed roofing contractors or homeowners who need the permit for their primary residence in their names, and the home is not for sale. Homeowners who obtain permits for an unlicensed roofing contractor will be solely responsible for any legal or financial liabilities caused during the work.

Permit applications are submitted online via the Building Inspection Division's permitting system. First-time users must contact the division at (904) 256-8500 or via email for an account setup. Applicants can also use the "how to" page maintained by the division to guide them through the permit application process. In addition to the permit application, the project's site plans, floor plans, and other supporting documents are also required. Once the documents and the permit application have been reviewed, the applicants must pay the required permit fees before a permit can be approved.

The City of Jacksonville's Building Inspection Division must inspect the projects that have been granted permits. Only the certified roofing contractor who applied for the permits can schedule an inspection. Usually, after a permit has been issued, the project's inspector's phone number and name are typically included in the permit. The roofing contractor must then contact the inspector to schedule an inspection. Alternatively, the roofing contractor can schedule an inspection online.

Queries related to the permits can be directed to the Building Inspection Division by calling (904) 255-8500 or by email. You can also visit the Jacksonville Building Inspection Division at:

Ed Ball Building
214 North Hogan Street
2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays

What Kind of Roofing Services Do You Offer?

Various types of roof systems are used in the city of Jacksonville, and each has unique features that require special tools and experience. Some of these include flat roofs, asphalt, green roofs, and metal roofs. When choosing a roofing contractor for your roofing project, ensure they have the necessary skills and experience to handle your specific roofing requirements.

Some contractors in Jacksonville may specialize in working on certain types of roof systems. At the same time, other roofers may provide services in other areas, such as roof repairs, remodeling, maintenance, and installations. As such, verifying that your intended roofer has the necessary skills and experience to handle your specific requirements will ensure that you get the best possible service and minimize the chances of misunderstandings. In addition, confirm how much the roofing services that will be offered will cost you.

The following list provides an estimate of the various costs that property owners in Jacksonville can expect from a local roofing contractor for their roofing services.

Estimates based on task:

Asphalt shingle roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$148 - $241
Flat roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$120 - $199
Slate roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$673 - $1,672
Tile roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$696 - $1,114
Wood shake roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$487 - $641
Metal roof installation
$692 - $905
Metal roof painting (per 100 square feet)
$1.85 - $2.13
Roof cleaning (per visit, for a typical two-story house)
$314 - $409
Roof heating cable installation (per linear foot of eave)
$29 - $35​​
Roof inspection (per visit, for a two-story home with a typical roofline)
$162 - $278
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Estimates based on roof pitch (per square feet):

Flat roof replacement
$2.50 - $6.50
Low-slope roof replacement
$2.50 - $6.50
Conventional slope roof replacement
$1.50 - $7.50
Steep slope roof replacement
$3 - $11
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Estimates for roof repair/replacement based on roofing material (per square feet):

Asphalt shingle
$1.80 - $5
Vinyl (PVC)
$0.90 - $5
Plastic
$1.80 - $6
Bitumen
$2.90 - $7.80
Concrete Tile
$1.90 - $21
Metal
$2 - $29
Rubber
$2.50 - $12
Architectural shingles
$5 - $13
Cedar
$5 - $12
Composite
$5 - $15
Clay
$7 - $20
Green
$8 - $30
Solar
$8 - $21
Slate
$12 - $22
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Estimates for roof repair/replacement based on shape (per square feet):

Gable
$1.50 - $7
Hipped
$1.50 - $7
Dutch
$1.50 - $8
Butterfly
$1.45 - $8
Dormer
$2.50 - $8.50
Flat
$2.50 - $5.50
A-Frame
$2 - $27
Mansard
$6.50 - $19
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Roofing Companies in Jacksonville?

Roofing is a hazardous occupation, and it can also lead to various injuries, such as cuts, abrasions, falls from heights, and lacerations. In 2020, more than 270 fatal work occupational injuries were recorded in Florida, with over 80 of these fatalities recorded in the construction industry. Your intended roofer should be insured because roofers are prone to danger. Otherwise, you will be liable for any property damage or bodily injury sustained while working on your property.

Roofing contractors in Jacksonville are required to carry public liability insurance with an aggregate amount of $100,000 and property damage of $25,000. As such, you should request a copy of the insurance certificate from the roofing contractor you hire. You can also contact the insurer to verify the certificate's details. Also, ensure that the coverage is adequate for the scope of work you are doing.

It is also a good idea to contact the DBPR at (212) 566-5000 to get additional information on its insurance requirements for roofing contractors that operate in Jacksonville.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Roofer in Jacksonville

If you have a complaint about a roofing contractor in Jacksonville, you can file it with state and local authorities. These include the Jacksonville Office of Consumer Affairs, Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulations, and the Florida Attorney General's Office.

The kind of roofing service you get in Jacksonville depends on the skills and experience of the roofing contractor you hire. Various fraudulent contractors use different methods to get away with their illegal activities, such as offering low bids and demanding full payment. They also make exaggerated claims about the scope of their work. In March 2019, the Florida Attorney General's Office announced that it was taking legal action against a construction firm in the state that took money from homeowners dealing with hurricane-damaged homes.

To avoid getting ripped off by a fraudulent roofing contractor in Jacksonville, you can take the following measures:

  • Get referrals from trusted sources like friends and family. You can also find a professional roofer in the city via online resources like the Better Business Bureau and the National Roofing Contractors Association.
  • Be wary of contractors who show up without warning to your home, especially after a disaster.
  • Make sure to ask the roofer for a copy of a valid ID to confirm if they claim to be working for any roofing company. Also, contact the company they claim to be associated with to verify their credentials.
  • Get recommendations from reliable roofing contractors from your insurance company if your roof was damaged during a covered incident.
  • Ensure that your roofing contractor has the necessary licenses and registrations. You can utilize the DBPR's Verify a License search portal to verify.
  • Request for references of the roofer's previous clients. Make sure you contact these referrals to inquire about the roofing contractors' skills and services.
  • Avoid verbal contracts. Ensure you sign a written contract, which should clearly explain the work the roofing contractor will perform.
  • Never agree to upfront payments or cash payments before starting work.

If you have a complaint about a roofing contractor in Jacksonville, you can contact the Jacksonville Office of Consumer Affairs at (904) 630-2489. You can also report these types of fraudulent complaints online.

You can file a complaint against a roofing contractor in Jacksonville via the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulations online services. Complaints can also be filed with the Florida Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division by completing a Citizen Services Contact Form online. Alternatively, you can contact the Attorney General's Office in Jacksonville at:

1300 Riverplace Boulevard
Suite 405
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: (904) 348-2720

Finally, you can file a lawsuit against a fraudulent roofing contractor in Jacksonville at the Duval County Court. Before taking this step, it is important to consult with a Jacksonville attorney. You can find attorneys near you by contacting the Jacksonville Bar Association's lawyer referral service at (904) 399-5780 or online.