Bob and I would like to share our experience with Universal Roof and Contracting/Tampa. We recently determined we needed a new roof and reached out to five companies to get estimates. Of the five David Labaze stood out with his product knowledge and patience to answer any all all questions regarding our selection of Owens Corning Shingles, and Universal Roofing. He even went so far as to bring out a product board for us to bring to our HOA for approval. Once that determination was made we were assigned Yordanis Segura as our Project Manger who immediately gave us peace of mind as he was our contact through the entire roofing project. He was on top of every step of our roofing project including inspecting the work of the professionals installing various aspects of our project. In conclusion, David and Yordanis are two standout employees of Universal, which is giving us the confidence and security of our new roof covering our home. Both of us would not hesitate to give our recommendation for your new roofing experience. Bob and Kathy Hemann
Roofing Company in Ellenton, FL
Gulf weather, salt air, and strong Florida sun: roofs in Ellenton earn their keep. Universal has been roofing Florida homes since 1993.
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Brian Blake kept me well informed of all contractors dates and times. I highly recommend Universal Roof & Contracting Tampa for all your hurricane repairs.
Jonathan Gil project manager was very helpful in the repair of my roof he went above and beyond I would definitely recommend this company
Tom the site manager and his team were amazing. Super professional, proactive and always kept us aware of where things were with the roof replacement. Despite some rain on the job execution day it didn’t hinder their proficiency. The team quickly paused and once the rain passed they were right back to work and had the roof replaced the same day. The new roof looks phenomenal and I would recommend the team to anyone looking to replace their homes roof. 1st Class Service! 5 Star Customer Service and Quality of work.
Job was done on time and on budget.
Jonathan Gil, the project manager was wonderful to work with. He was and still is always available when we had questions. Highly recommended.
We’re very pleased with our new roof that Universal installed. They made the process easy and simple. From our salesman, Ben, to the Project Manager, Jonathan, the back office, and of course, the Crew who installed the roof. The whole Team were very professional and made the experience worthwhile. Ben even stopped by at the end of the installation to make sure we were pleased with the workmanship. Thank you, Ben!
Estimator Brian Blake was there throughout the whole process. Happy with the Results from recent roof upgrade. Selected premium materials. Job was staged two days before, and the work was completed in one day. Was an upgrade from existing roof. Was Worth the money for me and my family. With the increased Hurricane activity wanted a quality roof upgrade.
Universal Roof & contracting came and gave me a quote for my roof I couldn't pass. I had a great experience overall. Universal didn't miss or leave anything out at all. My project manager was Yordanis, He was kind and informed me on anything that happened on the job. My salesman was Dee and explain all different options there were. He was also great and and very informative.
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Universal Roof & Contracting serves Ellenton with every major roofing service — repair, replacement, inspections, storm response, gutters, and all four mainstream roof systems — from our Tampa Bay office. Family-owned since 1993, BBB-accredited with an A+ rating, and Owens Corning Platinum Preferred. This page is the whole picture in one place; every section links to the full service behind it.
What Ellenton Does to a Roof
Roofs across the Suncoast answer to three things, all year, every year. Here's what each one does — with the numbers behind it.
Sun
Strong sun breaks down shingle asphalt and fades finishes over time, so Florida roofs need regular checks.
Salt
Gulf salt air corrodes exposed metal fasteners, flashing, and gutter seams. Corrosion-resistant materials matter this close to the coast.
Storms
Summer squall lines and the occasional named storm bring hard, wind-driven rain that finds every weak detail.
46.65"
annual rainfall at the St Petersburg Ap station
63%
of it falls June through September
8.39"
in August alone — the peak month
NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 normals (USW00092806)
Roof Repair in Ellenton
Around the Suncoast, the roofs that last aren't the ones that never take damage — they're the ones whose owners caught the damage the same season it happened.
A Ellenton repair call gets a whole-roof look, not a spot patch: the damage you reported, then the surrounding field, every flashing, and every penetration — because the second leak is usually forming near the first. If the honest answer is a repair, that's the recommendation you get in writing.
Active water gets stopped first: tarp or seal on the spot where access allows, permanent repair scheduled right behind it, photos of both in your records.
Lifted or missing shingles
The classic after a squall line. Caught early it's a focused, inexpensive repair.
Granules in the gutters
Shingle surfaces shedding — the field is aging, and it's time to watch it.
Water marks inside
The drip point is almost never below the entry point. Finding the real path is the job.
Flashing and fastener wear
A common leak point, and one Florida weather works on early.
Roof Replacement
What actually drives a replacement quote — and how concealed damage is handled if tear-off uncovers it.
A completed Universal replacement — one to three days on most homes.
A replacement here isn't a shingle swap — it's a system: decking inspected once opened, underlayment and ventilation installed to the manufacturer's actual specification, flashing detailed at every transition. That's what lets an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor (fewer than 1% of roofing contractors hold the tier) back the work with warranties most roofers can't offer.
You see the whole scope line by line before signing, and the approved price is the built price unless tear-off uncovers concealed damage no one could see — which you approve before we fix it. Most Ellenton homes are finished in one to three days. If the roof edge is also near end-of-life, we'll tell you, and doing soffit, fascia, and gutters with the roof saves a second mobilization.
Size, pitch & complexity
Cut-up roofs with dormers and valleys take longer than simple gables — and price accordingly.
Tear-off & decking
How many layers come up, and what the decking looks like once exposed. You approve anything it reveals.
The material system
Shingle, metal, tile, or slate — specified for Florida exposure, not upsold.
Flashing & ventilation
The details that separate a code-minimum job from one that reaches its rated life.
Every Ellenton replacement starts with the free inspection.
Roof Inspections
In Ellenton we recommend checking your roof twice a year, in spring and fall, plus after any major storm. Our professional inspection is free, with a written report you keep either way.
Field & fasteners
Wear, granule loss, and fastener condition across the whole covering.
Flashing & penetrations
Common leak points, so we check every boot, valley, and transition.
The roof edge
Soffit, fascia, and gutters for rot, separation, and pest entry.
The attic side
Moisture staining, ventilation problems, and daylight where there shouldn't be any.
Coastal corrosion
Salt-air wear on fasteners and flashing gets extra attention on every coastal roof.
Findings come back as photographs and a written condition report — not a verbal opinion from the driveway. Many inspections end with "you're fine, here's what to watch," and the report is yours whether or not you ever hire us. If you're buying or selling in Manatee County, the same visit produces the roof documentation the transaction needs, from a licensed contractor rather than a checklist service.
Storm Damage in Ellenton
Ellenton sits on the Gulf side of the storm ledger — and 2024 wrote two entries in two weeks. After it passes, a five-minute ground check tells you whether to call.
01 Scan from the ground
Lifted or missing shingles across the field, sagging lines at ridge and edges.
02 Check the gutters
Granule wash-out after a storm means the surface took a beating.
03 Walk the yard
Blown-off material in the grass is the roof telling you where to look.
04 Look up inside
Ceilings and closet corners: small openings let water reach the decking.
05 Note the date and call
Photograph what you can see safely; we put findings in writing with photos.
Helene
dangerous storm surge into the Gulf coast, including coastal Pinellas (NOAA/NHC TCR AL092024)
Milton
landfall on Siesta Key; 20.40" of rain near St. Petersburg; record crests on the Hillsborough River (NOAA/NHC TCR AL142024)
Ian
one of the costliest hurricanes in Florida history; severe wind and flooding across the southwest coast (NOAA/NHC TCR AL092022)
Storm response here works in two speeds: immediate protection (tarps and temporary seals, same visit where access allows) and documented assessment (photographs, findings, and repair scope in writing). No scare tactics, no inflated damage lists. We have been roofing in Florida since 1993.
Residential Roofing
The right roof for a Ellenton home follows the house, the owner's horizon, and the budget across thirty years — not the material a salesman happens to carry.
We install every mainstream system — shingle, metal, tile, and flat — so the recommendation follows your house and budget, not whichever material a contractor happens to sell. The full comparison is below.
The house & neighborhood
Age, style, and what the street is built around — a roof has to belong where it lives.
Your ownership horizon
Selling in five years and staying thirty produce different right answers.
Budget, now vs. 30 years
Upfront cost against lifetime cost — repairs, energy, and how many more roofs you'll buy.
Installation quality
The same materials last longer or fail early depending on underlayment, ventilation, and flashing work.
Not sure which of these your roof needs?
The free inspection answers it with photos and a written report.
Gutters, Soffit & Fascia
In Ellenton, the roof edge is a common place for water damage to start: soffit, fascia, and gutters can fail quietly before anyone notices.
The repair-or-replace call at the edge is simpler than the roof's: contained damage gets patched, widespread rot gets replaced, and either way the smart schedule pairs edge work with a roof project or lands it in fall before storm season. We spec vinyl soffit, aluminum fascia, and seamless gutters as the default Florida kit.
Soft or spongy fascia
The material underneath is already compromised — past the repair window.
Stains on exterior walls
Water escaping the drainage path and running where it shouldn't.
Sagging, overflowing gutters
Chronic overflow usually means repairs are no longer keeping up.
Rust at the seams
Sectional gutters fail at their joints — seamless aluminum has far fewer of them.
Roof Types We Install in Ellenton
Four systems, four honest trade-offs, installed by factory-trained crews to the manufacturer's specification.
Long service lifeMetal
- Wind rating set by the tested product and fastening
- White metal cut cooling energy 23% in Florida Solar Energy Center tests
- Can count toward wind-mitigation credits when installed to current code
About 20 yrsAsphalt Shingle
- Architectural over three-tab, always
- Algae-blocking granules for humidity
- Usually the least expensive to repair after storms
50+ yrsTile
- Clay, concrete, or composite
- Permanence and the Florida look
- Heavy — specialist crews only
Exclusive to UniversalMetlok
- Backed by a 50-year limited lifetime warranty
- Four-way interlocking panel system
- Shake, shingle, slate & barrel profiles
| System | Realistic Florida life | Wind rating (installed right) | Cost tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal (standing seam) | Varies by product; ask for the warranty term | Product-specific; we show you the rating | $$$ | Longevity, storms, energy bills |
| Architectural shingle | About 20 years | Class H shingles: rated for design wind speeds up to 194 mph | $ | Value, fast storm repairs |
| Tile (clay/concrete) | Over 50 years | High, code-driven | $$$ | Permanence, the Florida look |
| Metlok (only at Universal) | 50-year limited lifetime warranty | 180+ mph tested wind rating | $$$ | Longevity, high-wind exposure |
What moves every quote regardless of material: pitch and complexity, the product tier within the material, specialist labor where tile demands it, and structural reinforcement when weight requires it. Florida law also requires insurers to offer premium credits for wind-resistant construction features — a wind mitigation inspection documents what your roof qualifies for.
How a Project Runs
Every Ellenton project follows the same four steps, whether it's a gutter repair or a full replacement.
Free inspection
We walk the roof and attic line, photograph everything, and put findings in writing — yours to keep either way.
Line-by-line estimate
Exactly what's being done, with what materials, for what price — before you sign anything.
The build
Factory-trained crews, manufacturer-spec installation, and a jobsite that gets protected and cleaned.
Final walkthrough
You inspect the finished work with us, get your warranty documentation, and keep every record from the job.
Want eyes on your roof this week?
Free inspection, honest findings, zero pressure — most end with "you're fine."
Paying for It
Storm damage doesn't wait for a convenient budget year — and a necessary roof shouldn't have to either.
We offer financing options for qualified homeowners, and every estimate is free and line-by-line transparent. Ask during your free inspection — no obligation either way.
Why Ellenton Chooses Universal
Family-owned since 1993 — thousands of completed projects, and a reputation built one roof at a time.
State-licensed (CCC057165 & CBC1258484), fully insured, BBB-accredited with an A+ rating, and an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor — a tier held by fewer than 1% of roofing contractors. Factory-trained installers, transparent pricing, free estimates. We also give away a free roof replacement to a local veteran every year — it's who this company has been for thirty years.
Ellenton Roofing Questions
How long do roofs last in Ellenton?
Shingle: about 20 years. Tile: more than 50 with care, per a National Association of Home Builders study. Metal depends on the product, so ask for its warranty term. Installation quality decides which end of the range your roof lands on.
Repair or replace — how do you decide?
The test is scope and remaining life: contained damage on a healthy roof gets repaired; spreading wear, leaks that keep finding new paths, or a roof in its final stretch gets a replacement conversation, because repeated patching on a failing roof adds up. Our recommendation always arrives in writing, with photos.
What should I do right after storm damage?
Photograph what you can see safely from the ground, note the date, and get a professional inspection before small openings become interior leaks. We handle emergency work across Manatee County and put findings in writing with photos.
Can a handyman repair a roof in Florida?
Florida's licensing agency says no: roof repairs and roof installations require a state license. Before anyone touches your roof, verify the state license and the insurance behind it. We hold CCC057165 & CBC1258484 and full coverage.
What does a roof replacement cost in Ellenton?
No honest number exists without seeing the roof — size, pitch, tear-off depth, decking condition, and the material system move the total more than any average can capture. What we promise Ellenton homeowners instead: a free inspection first, then a line-by-line estimate where the approved price is the built price.
Is the inspection really free?
Yes, genuinely: no fee, no obligation, and you keep the written report and photos either way. It's how we've introduced ourselves to Florida homeowners since 1993 — many inspections end with good news and a watch list.
How long does a roof installation take?
Typically one to three days for a residential replacement. Complexity adds time — tile systems, steep pitches, multiple layers coming off — and commercial jobs scale with the building. Either way you'll know the expected window up front.
What time of year is best for roof work here?
Exterior work runs year-round in Florida, but fall is the sweet spot for big projects — easier on crews and materials, and it puts a sound roof over you before the next storm season instead of after it.
Roofing guides for Ellenton homeowners
Effective Clearwater, FL Soffit, Fascia And Gutter Solutions – When To Repair Or Replace On Your Home
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Exploring Soffit, Fascia & Gutter Services In St.Petersburg, FL: A Complete Exterior Guide
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Is A Wesley Chapel, FL Metal Roof The Right Choice For Your Home?
Read the guideNearby areas we serve
Get Your Free Ellenton Roof Inspection
Photos, honest findings, and a written condition report — free, and yours to keep either way.
Sources (22)
- Universal Roofing Group, Inc., corporate record P93000013124 · Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)
- NFIP Technical Bulletin 8: Corrosion Protection for Metal Connectors and Fasteners in Coastal Areas · FEMA
- Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Helene (AL092024) · NOAA National Hurricane Center
- Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Milton (AL142024) · NOAA National Hurricane Center
- Section 627.0629, Florida Statutes (mitigation discounts) · The Florida Legislature
- License CCC057165, Certified Roofing Contractor · Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
- License CBC1258484, Certified Building Contractor · Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
- DBPR reminds Florida consumers to verify state licenses this hurricane season · Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
- Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Ian (AL092022) · NOAA National Hurricane Center
- U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, St. Petersburg Albert Whitted Airport (USW00092806) · NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
- Maintaining residential roof systems · National Roofing Contractors Association
- Comparative Evaluation of the Impact of Roofing Systems on Residential Cooling Energy Demand in Florida · Florida Solar Energy Center (UCF)
- Algae discoloration of roofs · Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association
- Using ASTM D7158 where standard conditions do not apply · Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association
- Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components (2007) · National Association of Home Builders
- Universal Roof & Contracting contractor profile · Owens Corning
- Owens Corning Launches National Roof Deployment Project (2016) · Owens Corning
- Metlok 50-Year Limited Lifetime Warranty · Metlok
- Metlok disclaimer and specifications · Metlok
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- Universal Roof & Contracting business profile · Better Business Bureau