A deposit is normal on a roofing contract. It commits both sides and covers material orders. The size of the deposit, and what happens after you pay it, is where good contractors and bad ones separate.
What Florida Law Says
Fla. Stat. § 489.126 applies to contractors who take more than 10 percent of the contract price up front. Those contractors must apply for the permit within 30 days of the deposit and begin work within 90 days of the permit being issued, unless the contract says otherwise or the delay is the owner’s. Failing to do so, and failing to refund on demand, can be a crime. The statute exists because deposit theft was a common fraud after Florida hurricanes.
What Is Reasonable
- A modest deposit at signing that covers material ordering
- A progress payment at material delivery or dry-in on larger jobs
- The balance at completion, after the final inspection passes and the walkthrough is done
- On insurance jobs, the deductible at signing and the carrier’s payments as they are released
A contract that asks for half or more up front, or the full amount before work starts, is outside normal practice and outside the protections above.
Red Flags
- Cash-only or a discount for paying in full up front
- A deposit before you have a written, itemized estimate
- No license number on the contract; verify it on the Florida DBPR site
- A request that you pull the permit yourself as an owner-builder
- Pressure to sign the day of a storm, especially by a crew that showed up unannounced
- An assignment-of-benefits form bundled into the contract
What the Contract Should Contain
- Contractor name, address, license number and insurance
- Itemized scope: tear-off, underlayment, materials by brand and product, flashing, ventilation, decking price per sheet
- Permit responsibility and fee
- Payment schedule tied to milestones
- Start and completion windows
- Warranty terms, both manufacturer and workmanship
- Cleanup and debris disposal
Sunny Roofing’s contracts follow this structure, with license CCC1333142 on every page and payment tied to milestones. Financing is available for the balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 10 percent deposit the legal maximum in Florida?
No. The 10 percent threshold triggers the permit and start-work deadlines in Fla. Stat. § 489.126; larger deposits are legal but carry those obligations.
Should I pay the deposit by card or check?
Either leaves a record. Avoid cash. A card also gives you dispute rights if the contractor disappears.
What if the contractor took my deposit and has not started?
Send a written demand for a refund. If the contractor took more than 10 percent and missed the statutory deadlines, report it to the Florida DBPR and local law enforcement.
Talk to Sunny Roofing
Sunny Roofing is a veteran-owned, BBB A+ accredited, Florida-certified roofing contractor (CCC1333142) serving Orlando and Central Florida since 2018. Every job gets a dedicated project manager, a 15-year workmanship warranty and a cleanup guarantee. Book a free inspection online or call (561) 650-1355.