How Does The New Florida Roof Law Affect Port Orange Homeowners?
October 15th, 2007 Categories: Port Orange Real Estate
What does the new Florida roof law mean to Port Orange homeowners?
Roofing just got a little more expensive for Florida homeowners.
Effective Oct.1st, a new state law requires certain repairs when installing a new roof and applies to owners of single-family homes built before 2002. The law does not affect commercial properties, condominiums, apartment buildings or construction after 2002, when new hurricane codes went into effect in most of the state. Click on corner of picture to enlarge.
This is not building code change it is law!!!
The law is part of a larger bill signed by Gov. Charlie Crist in June meant to create “My Safe Florida Home Hurricane Mitigation Law.” This new roof law is intended to strengthen existing homes against hurricanes and could cost homeowners up to 20% more to replace a roof in Central Florida and up to 50% more for coastal homes.
The repairs include:
• Ensuring that the plywood is securely fastened to the gables by re-nailing. Also, a new waterproof layer must be adhered to the plywood.
• Securing gables to walls with connectors to ensure roofs of homes valued at more than $300,000 do not lift off during a storm.
• Requiring the installation of hurricane shutters for homeowners doing more than $50,000 worth of work to a home valued at more than $750,000
Here are some interesting concerns to homeowner’s, roofers, and insurance companies?
• Not all roofers are licensed general contractors which means that those roofers who aren’t would have to hire someone else to do the work. That could delay a job and make it even more expensive.
• Some roofers worry that if they can’t inspect connections through an attic, they have to remove roof decks and leave homes exposed.
• Will this cause a possible increase in unlicensed activity because people are not going to want to spend this kind of money.
• Will homeowner’s neglect replacing already much needed roofs and ultimately increasing a home’s liability. Instead of replacing a 10 -15 year roof, wait 20–25 years?
• Added costs again to the consumer who are already paying high insurance premiums!
• Are we appeasing the insurance companies.
What are your feelings on this matter??
It never ceases to amaze me what our respective governments pass into law, especially what should be common sense and good business practices.
You have to wonder though who this legislation is really for.
Good post and great site!
Thanks for the comment Charles. Next thing we’ll see go up in cost is the permit fee!
[...] For our readers just across the border in Florida, Janis at PortOrangeJuice has excellent coverage of a new Florida roof law. For those Dothanites (is that right?) that own vacation or second homes in the sunshine state, this is must reading. [...]
Great information Janis…I’m going to check out the new law!