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Florida Attempting to Bring in More Roofing Contractors in Hurricane Recovery Efforts

The need for roofers in the state increased further a few days later when Hurricane Ivan battered the Florida pandhandle.

Contractors must meet several requirements to obtain a license to do this work; operating without one is a felony.

In order to expand the pool of available roofers to respond to Florida’s massive rebuilding needs in the aftermath of back-to-back hurricanes, Governor Bush had issued an executive order during the previous week allowing residential, building and general contractors licensed in the state to make roof repairs.

The specialty license that is now available to builders from outside Florida allows for the repair and installation of roofs made of wood shakes, asphalt or fiberglass shingles. Excluded are other types of roofing, such as tile, metal or flat roofs.

Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation said that the new order from the governor “provides the quickest, most efficient way for these individuals [contractors] to begin making repairs, while ensuring that consumers are still protected.”

While contractors now don’t have to jump through as many bureaucratic hoops to start fixing homes, they must comply with these requirements:

• Applicants must present a notarized affidavit of competency from their original jurisdiction, signed by their local building official or a designee indicating that the contractor has satisfactorily performed the type of roofing work being undertaken.
• Contractors must provide proof of compliance with applicable workers’ compensation and public liability and property damage insurance as required under Florida statutes. They must be insured in the aggregate for $100,000 for liability and $25,000 for property damage.
• Roofing work must be permitted and inspected. Building departments remain authorized to enforce code requirements and step in to impose corrective measures.
• Specialty licenses are valid for 90 days, and all jobs that receive permits during that period will be allowed to be completed after the period has ended.

To determine the workers compensation requirements that apply, contractors can click here to obtain information from the Florida Department of Financial Services, or call 850-413-1600.

Contractors are advised to initially contact their insurance carrier to determine if they can provide the required insurance.

The following associations may be helpful in locating insurance agents in Florida:

• Click here to go to the Florida Association of Insurance Agents, or call Robin Mattheis at 850-893-4155.
• Latin American Association of Insurance Agencies at 305-477-1442.
• Click here to go to the Professional Insurance Agents of Florida, or call 800-277-1171.

Consumers are being advised by the state that they should ask to see a copy of a contractor’s license for any structural additions, roofing, air conditioning, plumbing, electrical/alarm work or any job requiring a building permit.

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