Eric F.
Jonathan Gil and the crew were very professional. Finished the project in a timely manner. Highly recommend the company for any roofing project!
May 30, 2024Verified customer
Tampa Bay · Pinellas County
Roofing Company in St. Petersburg, FL
Gulf weather, salt air, and strong Florida sun: roofs in St. Petersburg earn their keep. Universal has been roofing Florida homes since 1993.
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OC Platinum Preferred
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PAM
Everything went smoothly especially considering I was selling my house at the time. The work was good and the communication was as well. The only reason I wouldn't give it a 5 star was the original color I had ordered ended up not being available without a special order which meant a considerable delay. With my house on the market, I didn't have the time. I have to say I was disappointed that I had to compromise on the color.
Jan 24, 2024Verified customer
Roxanna C.
Brian Blake was very professional to work with. I truly appreciate him . He went above and beyond! The new roof is beautiful. Thank you for a job well done!
Feb 26, 2025Verified customer
R M.
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.
May 3, 2025Verified customer
David S.
Yordanis and his crew were great....here before dawn and still here after dark. The roof looks great and they left nothing to clean up afterwards.
Mar 24, 2026Verified customer
Lee G.
The team from Universal Roofing was great. They were very professional and did a thorough job of correcting the leak in our roof. We had a different company “attempt” to fix the leak but they only did patch work. We were so impressed with Yordanis and Olonso. The communication with this company was very impressive and they were on time. We highly recommend Universal Roofing if you need your roof repaired or replaced!
Apr 7, 2026Verified customer
Dale T.
Used Universal Roof and Contracting to replace my existing roof. Results were excellent. No issues with the products, workers or scheduling. Would use Universal again if needed. Materials and installation came with warranty. All work carried out in professional manner. Good Job.
Jan 3, 2024Verified customer
TYA L.
I am thrilled to share my extraordinary experience with Universal Roofing and Contracting in Tampa! Words cannot express the level of gratitude and excitement I feel after being chosen as the recipient of their prestigious Veteran Roof Giveaway. For years, I have been burdened by the stress of dealing with roof issues in my home, but Universal Roofing and Contracting has completely changed the game for me. When I received that life-changing phone call from Richard Adamson who quickly became my favorite person in the world (trust me, you'll adore him too!), informing me that I had won, I was utterly shocked. The ease and simplicity with which he handled the entire process was truly remarkable. He went above and beyond in treating me with utmost respect and kindness. He was also there to help as they were putting on my roof. In fact, I have already recommended this company to my friends, who are eagerly looking forward to working with them in the future. Allow me to give a special shoutout to Thomas McVicker, the project manager overseeing the job. His kindness and professionalism throughout the entire process was truly exceptional. Not only did Universal Roofing and Contracting leave my yard looking impeccably spotless, but their meticulous attention to detail made my new roof an absolute masterpiece. Witnessing the care and dedication they put into their work, I couldn't help but shed tears of joy. The entire staff at Universal Roofing and Contracting consistently delivered top-notch quality work, demonstrating their commitment to excellence. Each and every person who worked for them exuded warmth and genuine kindness. I am beyond grateful for this remarkable experience, and I cannot thank Universal Roofing and Contracting enough for not only providing me with a stunning new roof, but also restoring my faith in exceptional customer service, honesty, and humanity.
Jan 19, 2024Verified customer
Barbara B.
I was very happy with my new roof and I will recommend universall roof to anyone who needs new roofing or repairs. Yordanis was very good at explaining the process and got the job done perfectly along with all the worker's. Yordanis was a great project manager!
Mar 12, 2025Verified customer
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Universal Roof & Contracting serves St. Petersburg 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.
Roofing across the Suncoast
What St. Petersburg 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)
Before the work begins
Roof Decisions for St. Petersburg’s Different Properties
St. Petersburg maintains mapped layers for local landmarks, local historic districts, national-register properties and contributing resources. Before changing the appearance of a roof on a potentially designated property, check the relevant address and speak with the city. The map distinguishes several types of designation; they should not be treated as a single rule applied to every older house.
Bring the design conversation down to the building. Show the existing roof shape and any visible porch, dormer, chimney or roof-edge detail that is part of the work. Describe the proposed covering and finish, and ask what can be repaired or retained. A recommendation for a new roof should explain the condition findings as well as the proposed appearance. Age, neighborhood and a satellite image cannot establish what is happening at every roof connection.
For a multi-unit or commercial property, arrange a decision-maker and roof-access contact before the inspection. For a home, identify any separately roofed addition and clarify whether its work is included. When comparing bids, ask each contractor to address the same areas, concealed-decking changes and final documentation. This produces a usable comparison even when the buildings share a street but have different materials, alterations and maintenance histories.
Local resources: City of St. Petersburg historic-property map.
Small now or big later
Roof Repair in St. Petersburg
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 St. Petersburg repair plan should identify the damaged detail and the surrounding material that will remain. On a property with distinctive visible features, ask whether repair materials will change their appearance and whether review is needed. Keep the inspection photos with the approved scope so the repair can be understood later.
Wind-lifted tabs
One good gust finds every marginal fastener. Small patch now, or decking work later.
Granules in the gutters
Shingle surfaces shedding — the field is aging, and it's time to watch it.
Ceiling stains
By the time water shows inside, it's been traveling the deck for a while. Call now, not next month.
Flashing and fastener wear
A common leak point, and one Florida weather works on early.
Not sure which of these your roof needs?
The free inspection answers it with photos and a written report.
The big project
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.
For a St. Petersburg replacement, confirm the exact assembly, the included roof sections and any applicable property-designation review before ordering. Ask how vents, flashing and visible edges will be finished. A complete scope should explain both the proposed roof and how discoveries after tear-off will be approved.
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 St. Petersburg replacement starts with the free inspection.
Free & documented
Roof Inspections
Document the existing condition and the visible details you want any proposed work to preserve.
Existing roof features
Point out porches, dormers, chimneys and visible edges that form part of the proposed work.
Material continuity
Discuss whether compatible repair materials are available and where a repair would be visible.
Designation questions
Confirm the relevant map designation with city staff before committing to an exterior alteration.
Changes over time
Identify additions, patched areas and roof penetrations that may have a different maintenance history.
Water-entry evidence
Connect indoor observations with the inspected roof details without assuming the stain marks the entry point.
For a St. Petersburg home with a distinctive roofline, prepare two sets of questions: what is causing the problem, and what would the proposed work change? The city’s historic-property map helps start the designation check; an inspection answers a different question about condition. Photos should make the repair area understandable, especially around a porch, chimney or dormer. Ask for a recommendation that explains what can remain, what needs further investigation and what alteration would be visible from the street.
When the weather turns
Storm Damage in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg 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)
After a storm crosses the Suncoast, our crews run assessment routes the same week — tarping first where roofs need immediate protection, then documented damage reports with photographs. You learn exactly what happened and what fixing it involves; the decision stays yours. And if the roof was already near end-of-life, we'll say so instead of patching around it.
Your home
Residential Roofing
The right roof for a St. Petersburg home follows the house, the owner's horizon, and the budget across thirty years — not the material a salesman happens to carry.
62.8% of occupied homes in St. Petersburg are owner-occupied, and the median owner-occupied home value is $371,100 (U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, 2020–2024). Ours is the math of protecting that investment: the right system, installed to specification, maintained on a schedule.
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.
Your business
Commercial Roofing
A commercial roof in St. Petersburg protects inventory, equipment, and people, and it is built under the Florida Building Code, rated among the strongest of the hurricane-coast states by IBHS.
The right system follows the building — deck construction, equipment loads, drainage, and how long you're holding it. White TPO reflects heat and helps with cooling costs; properly fastened metal performs well in high winds; modified bitumen remains a proven choice on the right deck.
What keeps any of them performing is cadence: inspections every year and after every storm, clear drains, prompt small repairs. We run that cadence on a maintenance plan with documentation you keep.
Project-specific code review
Confirm the applicable requirements using the roof’s permit history, existing assembly and proposed work. A damage percentage alone does not settle the scope.
Licensing & permits
Commercial roof repairs and installations require a Florida-licensed contractor, and most need a permit from the local building department.
System choice
TPO for energy efficiency; metal for hurricane resistance and lifespan; modified bitumen where the deck calls for it.
Maintenance cadence
Annual and post-storm inspections, clear drains, prompt membrane repairs — where commercial roofs are won or lost.
The roof edge
Gutters, Soffit & Fascia
Gutters, soffit, and fascia do unglamorous work — and in St. Petersburg they take the weather's first hit, every single day.
Fix the contained stuff, replace the far-gone stuff, and bundle edge work with any roof replacement — one mobilization instead of two. Seamless aluminum gutters carry our rainfall with the fewest joints to fail; vinyl soffit and aluminum fascia resist what the air here does to lesser materials.
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.
Want eyes on your roof this week?
Free inspection, honest findings, zero pressure — most end with "you're fine."
Compare the systems
Roof Types We Install in St. Petersburg
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.
No surprises
How a Project Runs
Every St. Petersburg project follows the same four steps, whether it's a gutter repair or a full replacement.
01
Free inspection
We walk the roof and attic line, photograph everything, and put findings in writing — yours to keep either way.
02
Line-by-line estimate
Exactly what's being done, with what materials, for what price — before you sign anything.
03
The build
Factory-trained crews, manufacturer-spec installation, and a jobsite that gets protected and cleaned.
04
Final walkthrough
You inspect the finished work with us, get your warranty documentation, and keep every record from the job.
Budget
See financing options 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.
Trusted & verified
Why St. Petersburg 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.
Straight answers
St. Petersburg Roofing Questions
How do I check whether my St. Petersburg home has a historic designation?
The city maintains historic-property and district maps. Start with the address and confirm the designation and proposed work with city staff; local and national designations should not be treated as interchangeable.
What should I compare in St. Petersburg roof replacement bids?
Use the same measured areas, covering and underlayment, edge and penetration work, decking-change process and cleanup scope. Identify separate additions so a lower price is not simply omitting part of the project.
Can an older St. Petersburg roof be repaired instead?
The condition and extent of damage decide that. Ask which materials remain serviceable, whether compatible repair materials are available and what the inspection could not see.
What should a St. Petersburg roof replacement estimate include?
Look for the measured roof areas, chosen covering and underlayment, included edge and penetration work, disposal, and any exclusions. Ask how concealed damage will be documented and approved before extra work proceeds.
Can you assess a repair before recommending replacement?
Yes. An inspection helps distinguish a contained problem from wider deterioration. Ask which materials can remain, what the proposed repair addresses and whether any areas could not be inspected.
Is the roof inspection in St. Petersburg free?
Yes. Universal offers a free roof inspection with photos and a written condition report, without an obligation to buy roofing work. Request a visit through the inspection form or call to discuss the property.
How should I plan the roof-work schedule?
Confirm material selection, access and any applicable approvals first. Ask for a project-specific window and how weather or concealed conditions could affect it. Do not assume every roof can be finished in the same number of days.
What information helps when I book a visit?
The property address, the building type, a description of the concern and any previous roof records. Tell us about separate additions, access arrangements or an association contact before the inspection.
From the field
Roofing guides for St. Petersburg homeowners
Gutters, Soffit & Fascia
Exploring Soffit, Fascia & Gutter Services In St.Petersburg, FL: A Complete Exterior Guide
Read the guide
Metal Roofing
Metal Roofs in St. Petersburg, FL Pros, Cons & Cost Breakdown
Read the guide
Commercial Roofing
What Are The Best Commercial Roofing Options Around St. Petersburg, FL?
Read the guideNearby areas we serve
Get Your Free St. Petersburg Roof Inspection
Photos, honest findings, and a written condition report — free, and yours to keep either way.
Sources (24)
- 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
- DBPR reminds Florida consumers to verify state licenses this hurricane season · Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
- 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
- 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
- QuickFacts: St. Petersburg city, Florida · U.S. Census Bureau
- HistoricLayers map service · City of St. Petersburg
- Rating the States: hurricane coast building codes · Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
- 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
- Metlok 50-Year Limited Lifetime Warranty · Metlok
- Metlok disclaimer and specifications · Metlok
- Owens Corning Launches National Roof Deployment Project (2016) · Owens Corning
- Universal Roof & Contracting reviews · GuildQuality
- Universal Roof & Contracting, Orlando (Google Business Profile) · Google
- Universal Roof & Contracting business profile · Better Business Bureau