Roofing Company in Port St. Lucie, FL

Our Roofing Process in Port St. Lucie

We document every roofing project from initial contact through final inspection. The steps below describe the sequence, the checkpoints, and the compliance requirements we follow on every residential and commercial roof in St. Lucie County.

Initial Inspection and Scope Documentation

We conduct a full roof inspection at no charge when paired with a repair or replacement quote. The inspector photographs every elevation, documents existing materials, measures pitch, records the presence or absence of existing underlayment, and notes any penetrations, valleys, or transitions requiring flashing detail. We provide a written scope of work that lists materials by manufacturer and product line, not generic categories. If you are comparing estimates, the scope should name the underlayment type, the fastener specification, the drip edge profile, and the valley treatment method. A line item that reads "install shingles" without naming the shingle tells you nothing about wind rating, warranty tier, or code compliance.

Permit Application and Code Verification

We pull building permits under our own license for every roof replacement and for repairs meeting the 25 percent threshold established in Florida Statutes 553.844(5). The statute specifies that if an existing roofing system or roof section was built, repaired, or replaced in compliance with the 2007 Florida Building Code or any subsequent edition, and 25 percent or more of that system or section is being repaired, replaced, or recovered, only the repaired, replaced, or recovered portion must be constructed to the Florida Building Code in effect. Roofs predating it remain subject to the full code upgrade requirement in FBC-EB 706.1.1. Mor Amor noted in a review: "From start to finish, they were quick and efficient, even the permitting process was handled smoothly." Dan Trombley added: "Roof passed inspection without a problem."

Material Delivery and Staging

We schedule material delivery one to two days before installation. Shingles, underlayment, starter strips, ridge cap, drip edge, valley metal, and fasteners arrive together and are staged on-site to confirm quantities before the tear-off begins. We verify that the products delivered match the products specified in the estimate. For metal roofing, panels are fabricated to length and delivered with matching trim, closures, sealant tape, and color-matched fasteners with EPDM washers. For tile roofing, we verify that field tiles, rake tiles, ridge tiles, and hip tiles are from the same production lot to avoid color variation.

Tear-Off and Deck Inspection

We remove all existing roofing materials down to the roof deck. The deck is inspected for rot, delamination, and fastener withdrawal. We photograph the exposed deck before proceeding. Roof deck repair is billed separately when the extent of damage is not visible until tear-off, and we provide photographic documentation before any repair proceeds.

Underlayment Installation

We install underlayment in accordance with manufacturer specifications and Florida Building Code requirements for the wind zone. In other zones, we install synthetic underlayment with a minimum 6-inch side lap and 4-inch end lap, with all seams sealed. Underlayment is installed horizontally, starting at the eave and overlapping each course over the one below. Fasteners are placed at the manufacturer-specified spacing. We photograph the completed underlayment layer before any finish material is applied.

Drip Edge, Flashing, and Valley Installation

We install drip edge along all eaves and rakes. Eave drip edge is installed over the underlayment. Rake drip edge is installed under the underlayment on the rake and over it on the eave. Step flashing is fabricated and installed at every wall-to-roof intersection, with each piece overlapping the one below and extending up the wall at least 4 inches and onto the roof deck at least 4 inches. Valley flashing is installed over the underlayment and fastened at the edges, not in the center of the valley. For open valleys on asphalt shingle roofs, we use pre-formed metal valley or 24-gauge painted steel, installed with sealant at the laps. For closed-cut valleys, shingles are woven or cut and sealed per GAF or Owens Corning installation instructions.

Finish Material Installation

For asphalt shingle roofs, we install a starter strip along the eave and rake, then begin the first course of shingles with the correct offset to ensure proper alignment. Each shingle is fastened with the number and placement of nails specified in the manufacturer's installation manual and required to achieve the warranty. We install shingles in straight horizontal courses, checking alignment every five courses. Ridge cap shingles are installed with sealant and fastened through both layers into the ridge board. For metal roofing, standing seam panels are installed with concealed fasteners in the panel clips, not through the panel face. Clips are spaced per the manufacturer's specification, typically 12 to 18 inches on center. Panels are seamed with a manual or powered seamer to achieve a 1-inch or taller seam, depending on the profile. For tile roofing, each tile is fastened with corrosion-resistant fasteners through pre-drilled holes, and mortar is applied only where specified by the manufacturer, not as a substitute for mechanical attachment.

Final Inspection and Cleanup

After installation is complete, we walk the roof to verify that all fasteners are flush, all seams are sealed, all flashing is secure, and all penetrations are properly detailed. We run a magnetic sweeper over the entire property to collect metal debris and fasteners. We remove all waste material and packaging from the site. Corinne Ritter observed: "from sales, permits, install, cleanup and final inspections everything went as planned." We schedule the final building inspection with the local authority and provide the homeowner with the signed-off permit and a warranty packet including the manufacturer warranty and our workmanship documentation.

Florida Roofing Licensing and Code Authority

Florida requires that individuals applying for roofing contractor certification have four years of documented experience in the roofing industry, or up to three years of college credits plus one year of experience as a foreman. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and must pass the Florida Building Code examination for roofing contractors. Once the exam is passed, board rules provide that you must obtain your license within 4 years of receiving your exam score. These requirements establish a minimum threshold of demonstrated competence, but they do not ensure that any given contractor documents their work, pulls permits, or employs safety protocols beyond the statutory minimum.

According to OSHA, falls remain the leading cause of death and injury in the roofing industry. Compliance with fall protection standards is a basic regulatory obligation, not a competitive differentiator. We use OSHA-compliant fall arrest systems on every project, and we document our safety protocols in writing for every crew. Homeowners evaluating a roofer should verify that the contractor carries active workers' compensation coverage and general liability insurance, and that the policy limits are sufficient to cover the scope of work. An unlicensed or under-insured contractor transfers financial risk to the homeowner.

Customer Reviews

"Rich Decola was the one to come out first and he was a Godsend. I know nothing about roofing and my husband was working 24/7 so I had to handle it all, and Rich made me feel so at ease with this whole process AND took the time to educate me with no strings attached."

Jessica Ellis

"They did an amazing job!! It looks perfect and $1,600 savings on my homeowners."

Stephanie Craig

Service Area

We serve Port St. Lucie and the surrounding areas of St. Lucie County, Florida. Our crews operate throughout the Treasure Coast, including Fort Pierce, Jensen Beach, Palm City, and Stuart in Martin County. We are licensed to work statewide and pull permits in every jurisdiction where we operate.

‍