Few things are more stressful than a roofing contractor disappearing in the middle of your project. Your home is exposed to the elements, you have already paid a deposit (or more), and the contractor is not returning calls. Unfortunately, this scenario is alarmingly common in South Florida, especially after major storms when fly-by-night operators flood the market. Here is exactly what to do if it happens to you.
Step 1: Document Everything Immediately
Before you touch anything or call anyone, document the current state of your roof and property. Take extensive photos and video from every angle — the ground level, the attic, and any areas where work was started but not completed. Photograph exposed roof decking, partially installed materials, debris left behind, and any water damage that has occurred since the contractor stopped working.
Save every piece of communication you have with the contractor: texts, emails, voicemails, the signed contract, and all payment receipts. If you paid cash, write down the dates, amounts, and any witnesses who were present. This documentation is your evidence file, and it will be critical for every step that follows.
Step 2: Protect Your Home from Further Damage
Florida's afternoon thunderstorms and hurricane season do not wait for contractor disputes to resolve. If your roof is open or partially completed, you need temporary protection immediately. Cover exposed areas with quality tarps secured with 2x4 lumber — not just weighted down with bricks, which will fail in the first strong wind. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, call a licensed roofer for emergency tarping. Goliath Roofing offers 2-hour emergency response for tarping and temporary protection throughout South Florida.
Keep receipts for any emergency materials or temporary repairs. These costs may be recoverable from the original contractor through legal action.
Step 3: Contact the DBPR
File a formal complaint with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) at myfloridalicense.com. The DBPR regulates licensed contractors in Florida and has the authority to investigate complaints, impose fines, and suspend or revoke licenses. Your complaint creates an official record that strengthens any future legal action and helps protect other homeowners from the same contractor.
When filing, include your contract, proof of payment, photos of the abandoned work, and a timeline of events. If the contractor was never licensed, report that as well — performing roofing work without a license is a criminal offense in Florida.
Step 4: Understand Your Lien Rights
Under Florida's Construction Lien Law, if you have paid your contractor but they have not paid their suppliers or subcontractors, those unpaid parties can place a lien on your property — even though you already paid. This is one of the worst consequences of contractor abandonment. To protect yourself, check whether any Notices to Owner were filed on your property (subcontractors and suppliers are required to send these within 45 days of starting work). If you received any, contact those parties to determine if they have been paid.
Step 5: Find a Licensed Contractor to Finish the Job
Finding a qualified contractor to complete someone else's abandoned work requires extra diligence. The new contractor must assess the quality of work already performed, determine what needs to be corrected versus continued, and provide a detailed scope for completion. Not every contractor is willing to take on a mid-project job because they inherit liability for the existing work.
When evaluating a new contractor, verify their Florida roofing license (CCC prefix) on the DBPR website, confirm current insurance certificates, check Google reviews and BBB ratings, and ask for references from similar completion projects. A legitimate contractor will perform a thorough inspection before providing a quote and will be transparent about what they find.
Step 6: Consider Legal Action
Depending on the amount of money involved, you have several legal options. For amounts under $8,000, Florida small claims court is a cost-effective option that does not require an attorney. For larger amounts, consult a construction attorney. Many offer free initial consultations and work on contingency for clear-cut cases of contractor fraud.
You may also have recourse through the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund, which provides compensation to homeowners who suffer financial loss due to the actions of a licensed contractor.
Warning Signs of a Bad Contractor
Knowing the red flags can prevent this situation entirely. Be wary of contractors who demand large upfront payments (more than 10% or the cost of materials), have no physical office or local address, cannot provide a copy of their state license and insurance, pressure you to sign immediately, show up unsolicited after a storm, or offer prices dramatically lower than other legitimate bids. Any of these should send you looking for another contractor.
How Goliath Roofing Is Different
At Goliath Roofing, we have completed over 3,500 roofing projects across South Florida without abandoning a single one. We are fully licensed (CCC license verifiable on DBPR), bonded, and insured with $2 million in general liability coverage. We maintain a permanent office in South Florida, employ our own installation crews, and have been serving the community for years. Our project managers provide weekly updates, and our owner is accessible by phone throughout every project.
If you are dealing with an abandoned roofing project and need a contractor you can trust to finish the job right, contact us for a free assessment. We have helped dozens of homeowners recover from contractor abandonment, and we will give you an honest evaluation of the existing work and a transparent quote to complete your project.