Direct Answer
To file a complaint against a roofing contractor in Florida, submit a complaint to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) through its official website: File a Complaint – MyFloridaLicense.com.
Choose the complaint category that matches your situation. DBPR handles complaints involving licensed contractors and suspected unlicensed contracting. You can report concerns such as suspected licensing violations, improper contracting practices, or other conduct within the agency’s regulatory authority.
Before filing, collect your roofing contract, estimates, invoices, payment records, photographs, permits, inspection reports, warranties, and communications with the contractor. Describe what happened in chronological order and explain the specific conduct you believe violated the law or licensing requirements.
Important: DBPR’s authority is primarily administrative. It can investigate qualifying complaints and take disciplinary action where appropriate, but it generally cannot act as your attorney or recover money on your behalf. A workmanship dispute, contract disagreement, or refund request may require a different route, depending on the circumstances.
Where Should You File a Complaint Against a Florida Roofing Contractor?
| Type of complaint | Where to report it |
|---|---|
| Licensed roofing contractor misconduct or suspected licensing violations | Florida DBPR – File a Complaint |
| Suspected unlicensed roofing activity | DBPR Unlicensed Activity Program |
| Consumer fraud, misleading sales practices, or a business dispute | Florida Attorney General – Consumer Complaint Form |
| Consumer complaint requiring referral or assistance through the state’s consumer complaint system | Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Florida Consumer Help |
| Possible building-code or permit violations | Contact the local building department or code enforcement office responsible for the property’s jurisdiction. |
More than one agency may be relevant, depending on the facts. Filing with one agency does not necessarily resolve a private contract dispute or preserve a legal deadline.
Step 1: Verify the Contractor’s License
Before filing, check whether the contractor and business are properly licensed or qualified for the work they performed. Use the official Florida DBPR license lookup.
Search using the contractor’s name, business name, or license number where available. Record the license status and relevant details, including the license classification and business association.
If the contractor appears to be operating without the required license, report suspected unlicensed activity through the DBPR’s Unlicensed Activity Program.
Step 2: Gather Evidence for Your Complaint
A well-organized complaint should include specific facts and supporting records. Gather as many of the following items as are relevant:
- Contract and proposal: The signed agreement, scope of work, payment schedule, and any change orders.
- Payment records: Invoices, receipts, bank records, canceled checks, or other proof of payment.
- Photographs and videos: Evidence of leaks, damaged roofing, incomplete work, unsafe conditions, or other alleged defects.
- Permits and inspection records: Permit applications, inspection results, notices of violation, or correspondence from the building department.
- Written communications: Emails, text messages, letters, advertisements, and messages about delays, repairs, warranties, or refunds.
- Independent inspection reports: Reports documenting the roof’s condition or identifying suspected installation defects, if available.
- Warranty documents: Manufacturer warranties, workmanship warranties, and any written repair commitments.
Keep the original documents for your records and submit copies as directed. Organize the evidence by date and label photographs so that each one can be connected to the relevant location or issue.
Step 3: Write a Clear Description of What Happened
Present the facts in chronological order. Include dates, amounts, names, and specific events wherever possible. Avoid unsupported accusations and distinguish what you personally observed from what another person reported.
Your complaint should explain:
- Who you hired and which business performed the work.
- What work the contractor agreed to complete.
- When the contract was signed and when payments were made.
- What went wrong, including relevant dates and the condition of the roof.
- What you did to resolve the problem directly with the contractor.
- What evidence supports your allegations and what outcome you are seeking.
If you suspect fraud, license misuse, abandonment, or unlicensed contracting, describe the specific conduct that led to your concern. Let the agency assess whether the evidence establishes a violation.
Step 4: Submit Your Complaint to DBPR
- Visit the official DBPR File a Complaint page.
- Select the appropriate profession or business category for the roofing contractor.
- Follow the instructions for the relevant complaint form.
- Provide the contractor’s identity, license information if known, a factual description, and the requested supporting documentation.
- Review your submission for accuracy before sending it.
- Save a copy of the complaint, the documents submitted, and any confirmation or reference number.
If the contractor appears to be unlicensed, use the appropriate unlicensed-activity reporting process. DBPR also provides a Customer Contact Center at (850) 487-1395 for assistance identifying the correct complaint procedure. The unlicensed-activity hotline is (866) 532-1440.
Step 5: Understand What Happens After Filing
After receiving a complaint, DBPR reviews the information to determine whether the matter falls within its authority and whether the submission provides sufficient facts to proceed. The agency may request additional documents or clarification.
Depending on the circumstances, the process may include:
- Initial review of the complaint and supporting records.
- Assessment of the agency’s jurisdiction and the contractor’s licensing status.
- Assignment to an investigator if the complaint qualifies for further investigation.
- Requests for evidence, interviews, site visits, or coordination with other agencies, where appropriate.
- Administrative action or case closure, depending on the findings and applicable law.
There is no guaranteed investigation timeline. Respond promptly to requests for additional information and retain all correspondence from the agency.
Also be aware that complaints and communications received by DBPR are generally public records unless a statutory exemption applies. The contractor may receive a copy of the complaint during an investigation. Review the agency’s current instructions if confidentiality is a concern.
What If DBPR Cannot Resolve Your Roofing Complaint?
Not every disagreement with a roofing contractor falls within DBPR’s disciplinary authority. The appropriate next step depends on whether your primary concern is licensing, workmanship, financial loss, building-code compliance, or suspected fraud.
- Consumer complaint: You can submit a complaint to the Florida Attorney General’s Office if the issue involves suspected consumer fraud or deceptive business practices.
- Building-code concern: Contact the local building department to ask about inspections, permits, or suspected code violations.
- Financial recovery: Consider consulting a Florida construction-law attorney about available remedies, contract rights, and applicable deadlines.
- Insurance-related dispute: If the complaint involves an insurance claim or insurance conduct, the Florida Department of Financial Services may be relevant.
- Unresolved workmanship dispute: Consider an independent roof inspection and review the contract’s notice, mediation, arbitration, or dispute-resolution provisions.
DBPR does not generally recover payments or damages for consumers. A regulatory complaint should not be treated as a substitute for a civil claim or as an automatic extension of a legal deadline.
Can You File a Complaint Against an Unlicensed Roofing Contractor?
Yes. Florida encourages reports of suspected unlicensed contracting. Submit a report through the DBPR Unlicensed Activity Program.
Include the business or individual’s name, contact details if known, the location of the work, the services advertised or performed, and copies of relevant contracts, proposals, invoices, payment records, permits, or liens.
DBPR states that reports of unlicensed activity may be submitted anonymously. However, an anonymous complaint must contain enough specific information to support further review, and anonymous complainants generally will not receive case updates.
What Should You Avoid When Filing?
- Do not submit altered documents or make claims you know to be false.
- Do not send original documents unless specifically required and confirmed by the agency.
- Do not rely solely on verbal conversations when written records or photographs are available.
- Do not assume filing a complaint guarantees a refund, repair, or disciplinary action.
- Do not ignore court papers, contract notice requirements, or applicable legal deadlines while waiting for an investigation.
Bottom Line
To complain about a Florida roofing contractor, start with the official DBPR complaint process. Verify the contractor’s license, gather your contract and evidence, explain the events in chronological order, and submit the complaint under the appropriate category.
If the contractor is unlicensed, report the activity through DBPR’s Unlicensed Activity Program. For consumer fraud, building-code issues, or financial recovery, consider the relevant additional agency or legal process. Keep complete records and remember that a regulatory complaint does not guarantee compensation or suspend legal deadlines.
Related Questions
- What is a qualifying agent, and why does it matter?
- How can you verify a contractor’s license status on the DBPR website?
- What is the difference between a certified and registered roofing contractor?
- How do you file a commercial roof insurance claim in Florida?
Sources
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) – File a Complaint
- DBPR Unlicensed Activity Program – Complaint Process
- DBPR Unlicensed Activity Program – Frequently Asked Questions
- Florida Attorney General – How to Protect Yourself: Contractors
- Florida Attorney General – Consumer Complaint Form
Last reviewed: October 2026
Related Resources
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Need Help With a Commercial Roofing Project?
If you are evaluating a roof’s condition or planning work on a commercial property, reviewing the scope of work, contractor credentials, inspection requirements, and warranty terms can help you make informed decisions. Explore our commercial roof replacement and re-roofing services to learn more.
This information is for general educational purposes and is not legal advice. Complaint procedures, agency authority, and legal remedies depend on the facts and applicable law. Consult the relevant Florida agency or a qualified Florida construction-law attorney for advice about a specific dispute.
