Newly Enacted HB 715 / SB 1076 (2025) Imposes New Requirements on Roofing Contractors
Since 2019, roofing contractors have seen new requirements and changes to their scopes of work imposed under Florida’s contractor licensing statutes. Many of these changes require contractual disclosures and impose various timelines, including cancellation deadlines. On May 19, 2025 HB 715 (formerly SB 1076) was signed into law by Governor DeSantis. The new law creates multiple changes to Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, that effect roofers.
Summary of Changes
While the actual text of the changes is at the bottom of this post, here is a brief summary of the key changes:
The scope of work allowed to be performed by roofing contractors is expanded to include the evaluation and enhancement of roof-to-wall connections for structures with wood roof decking as described in Section 705 of the Florida Building Code - Existing Building, under certain circumstances.
Fixes some issues with the timing during which roofing contractors must provide a right to cancel for work being performed as a result of a state of emergency
Adds a new disclosure for all roofing contractors
Text of Changes
The new law first modifies the definition of a “roofing contractor” found in 489.105(3)(e), Florida Statutes, to expand the scope of work that a roofing contractor can perform, as follows (additions to the statute are underlined, removed text is stricken through):
(3)(e) "Roofing contractor" means a contractor whose services are unlimited in the roofing trade and who has the experience, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, or design, if not prohibited by law, and use materials and items used in the installation, maintenance, extension, and alteration of all kinds of roofing, waterproofing, and coating, except when coating is not represented to protect, repair, waterproof, stop leaks, or extend the life of the roof. The scope of work of a roofing contractor also includes all of the following and any related work: skylights; and any related work, required roof-deck attachments; and any repair or replacement of wood roof sheathing or fascia as needed during roof repair or replacement; and the evaluation and enhancement of roof-to-wall connections for structures with wood roof decking as described in Section 706 of the Florida Building Code-Existing Building, provided that any enhancement, which was properly installed and inspected in accordance with the Office of Insurance Regulation uniform mitigation verification inspection form, the Florida Building Code, or project specific engineering that exceeds these requirements, is done in conjunction with a roof covering replacement or repair and any related work.
The remaining modifications are to 489.147, Florida Statutes, and include clarification as to when the 10-day cancellation period for emergency contracts applies and a new disclosure for all roofing contracts:
(6)(a) A residential property owner may cancel a contract to replace or repair a roof without penalty or obligation within 10 days after the execution of the contract or by the official start date, whichever comes first, if the contract was entered into within 180 days of based on events that are the subject of a declaration of a state of emergency by the Governor and the residential property is located within the geographic area for which the declaration of the state of emergency applies. For the purposes of this subsection, the official start date is the date on which work that includes the installation of materials that will be included in the final work on the roof commences, a final permit has been issued, or a temporary repair to the roof covering or roof has been made in compliance with the Florida Building Code.
(7) A contractor executing a contract to replace or repair a roof of a residential property must include in the contract, or add as an attachment to the contract, the following language in bold type of not less than 14 points on the page reserved for the signature of the residential property owner:
"If the proposed work is related to an insurance claim, you, the residential property owner, should contact your insurance company to verify coverage for the proposed roofing work, including any claims, deductibles, and policy terms, before signing this contract. By signing this contract, you acknowledge that you have been advised to contact your insurance provider regarding coverage and reimbursement of the proposed work."
The new statute takes effect on May 19, 2025.
About the Author
Jason Lambert is a Florida Board Certified Construction Attorney and Partner in the Construction Industry Practice Group at Hill Ward Henderson, in Tampa, Florida. He is also the founder and chief contributor to the Hammer & Gavel construction law blog. Jason focuses his practice on representing contractors, subcontractors, and materials suppliers throughout the state of Florida. Before law school, Jason spent a decade working in the construction industry, primarily as a project manager and operations director for both new construction and remodeling. He can be reached at jason.lambert@hwhlaw.com or 813-227-8495.
