- Buyer's checklist
How to choose a roofer in Lake County
Seven things to check before you sign, how to check each one in a few minutes, and how Pro Specialty Services answers them.
- The checklist
Seven things to verify
Each one takes minutes and protects a five-figure decision. Ask every roofer the same questions, including us.
01
A Florida roofing license you can look up
Go to myfloridalicense.com, choose "Verify a License", and search the company or license number. You want a status of Current, Active. A CCC license is a state-certified roofing contractor. A general (CGC) or residential (CRC) contractor has to use a licensed roofing contractor for roofing work unless they hold a roofing license too.
- How we answer it
We hold four state licenses: CCC1335465 · CCC1332012 · CGC1538852 · CRC1332909. CCC1335465 is the roofing license.
02
Insurance, sent by their agent
Ask for a certificate of general liability insurance and proof of workers' compensation (or the exemption). Have it sent to you by the insurance agent, not handed over by the salesman, and check the dates.
- How we answer it
We carry general liability on every job and will have our agent send you a certificate.
03
A workmanship warranty in the contract
The manufacturer warranty covers the shingles. The workmanship warranty covers the installation, which is where most leaks come from. It should be in the signed contract with a number of years, not just mentioned on a website.
- How we answer it
10 years on replacements paid cash or financed, 2 years on repairs and on insurance-funded work, plus our Leak-Free Promise: on site within 48 hours.
04
The permit pulled in their name
A re-roof in Lake County needs a building permit and inspections. The contractor should pull it under their own license. If anyone asks you to pull the permit as owner-builder, walk away.
- How we answer it
We pull every permit under our license and photograph the dry-in for the inspector.
05
A straight answer on manufacturer certification
Certified installers can register higher warranty tiers. Ask which certification they hold and which warranty tier your product will actually get, in writing.
- How we answer it
We do not hold a manufacturer certification yet. We register the standard limited manufacturer warranty on every job and tell you exactly what it covers.
06
Reviews that read like real jobs
Look at Google reviews for recent dates, named towns and specific details, and at how the company answers complaints. A wall of five-word reviews from one month is a warning sign.
- How we answer it
Our Google reviews are live on this site, with real dates.
07
A line-item written contract
Every item of work listed, what is not included listed, the Florida lien law notice, and a clear rule for hidden rotten decking. Anything vague will be a change order later.
- How we answer it
Our proposals list every item and price rotten decking, the only common change order, per sheet before work starts. Any other hidden-condition work needs your written approval first: the Price-Is-the-Price guarantee.
Put us through the checklist
Free estimate. We will bring the license, insurance and a sample contract.
- Red flags
Walk away if you hear these
- "We'll cover your deductible." It is illegal in Florida.
- "Sign today or the price goes up." A real price holds for a written period.
- "You can pull the permit yourself." That moves the liability onto you.
- No local address, or a license number that does not match the company name.
- A quote with one line and one number and no list of what is included.
- A large cash deposit before any permit is applied for.
Next: see what roofs actually cost in Lake County, read our two written guarantees, or look at a finished project with the final bill. For the questions to ask in the estimate meeting, see our guide to choosing a reliable roofing contractor.
- Questions
Hiring a roofer: questions
How do I check a roofer's license in Florida?
Use the DBPR license search at myfloridalicense.com. Search by the company name or license number and confirm the license is Current, Active and is a roofing (CCC) license, or that a general contractor is using a licensed roofing contractor for the roof.
How big a deposit is normal?
Ask before you sign. Under Florida law (section 489.126), a contractor who takes more than 10 percent of the contract price as a deposit must apply for the permit within 30 days and start work within 90 days after the permit is issued, unless you agree otherwise in writing.
Someone offered to cover my deductible. Is that legal?
No. Florida law prohibits a contractor from offering to waive, rebate or pay an insurance deductible. Treat it as a red flag about everything else they tell you.
How many quotes should I get?
Two or three from licensed, insured roofers is plenty. Compare the scope line by line, not just the total; the cheapest bid is often missing underlayment, flashing or permit work.
Get a quote you can check
Licensed, insured, permit pulled under our license, and a fixed written price.