How fast can you get out after a storm?+
Our crews are based in Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville rather than dispatched across the state, and in storm season we triage — homes actively taking on water go first, then everything else as the weather clears. When a permanent repair isn't safe yet, we tarp the same day and return for the lasting fix.
How much does emergency roof tarping cost?+
It depends on how much of the roof needs covering and how difficult it is to access safely. We quote it before we do it, and the inspection that tells us what's needed is free. Tarping is a temporary measure to stop water entering — the permanent repair is quoted separately once we can see the full extent.
How do I know if my roof has storm damage if it looks fine?+
Most storm damage isn't visible from the ground. Wind breaks the seal strip without moving the shingle; hail bruises the mat underneath a surface that still looks new. The reliable tells are indirect — granules collecting at the downspouts, dents in soft metal like gutters and vent caps, and stains that appear inside after the next rain. That is what a free inspection is for.
Should I get the roof looked at if the storm passed days ago?+
Yes. Damage doesn't announce itself on a schedule, and a roof that was merely tired before a storm is the one that starts leaking weeks later. Getting it documented while the cause is recent and the evidence is still on the roof is simply easier than reconstructing it months on.
Someone knocked on my door after the storm offering a free inspection. Is that normal?+
Storm-chasing crews follow weather into Florida and leave once the work dries up, which is a problem when a warranty question comes up two years later. Check that whoever you use is Florida state-licensed, has a local address you can visit, and has been here longer than this storm season. Universal has operated from Orlando since 1993 — licences CCC057165 and CBC1258484.
Do you handle the insurance side?+
We document the roof — photos, a written report, and an itemised scope of what we found. What your policy covers, and how you choose to proceed with your insurer, is between you and them. If you want someone to represent you on the policy itself, that is a licensed public adjuster's role rather than a roofer's.
What if the damage turns out to be minor?+
Then the report says so and we tell you roughly how much life the roof has left. A free inspection that always finds a full replacement is not an inspection, it is a sales call. Customers mention our honesty in their reviews.
Which areas do you cover for storm response?+
The Orlando metro, Tampa Bay and the Jacksonville area, plus the surrounding cities in each — 22 counties in total, with crews based in all three markets.
