Hillsborough County Roofing

Hillsborough County Roofing Services

Hillsborough County is the heart of our service area and home to over 1.5 million residents across Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, Riverview, and dozens of smaller communities. Since 2008, we’ve completed over 800 roofing projects throughout Hillsborough County—more than any other county in our service area.

Hillsborough County Quick Facts:

• Population: 1,512,000+ (4th largest in Florida)
• Area: 1,266 square miles
• County Seat: Tampa
• Our Projects Completed: 800+ since 2008
• Average Response Time: 1-2 hours for emergencies

Our Tampa office at 3031 N Rocky Point Dr provides centralized access to all Hillsborough County communities via I-275, I-4, Veterans Expressway, and Selmon Expressway. This strategic location allows us to respond quickly whether you’re in downtown Tampa, suburban Brandon, or rural Plant City.

Why Hillsborough County Roofing Is Unique

Diverse Housing Stock: From historic Ybor City brick homes to modern Westchase subdivisions, Hillsborough County has incredibly diverse architecture. We’ve worked on:

• 1920s-era tile roofs in Hyde Park and Seminole Heights
• 1970s-80s ranch homes throughout Temple Terrace and Town ‘n’ Country
• 2000s+ new construction in FishHawk Ranch, Fishhawk, and New Tampa
• Commercial flat roofs in downtown Tampa’s high-rises

Inland Climate Challenges: While Hillsborough County has some coastal exposure (Tampa Bay waterfront), most of the county is inland. This creates unique challenges:

• Intense afternoon thunderstorms (60+ inches annual rainfall)
• Higher daytime temperatures than coastal areas (less Gulf breeze)
• Strong straight-line winds separate from hurricanes
• Rapid development means mix of old/new building code standards

Hurricane Exposure: All of Hillsborough County is in a hurricane evacuation zone (A, B, or C depending on elevation). Building codes require enhanced wind resistance, and we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners recover from storm damage over the years.

Common Roof Types in Hillsborough County

Based on our 800+ Hillsborough County projects, here’s the breakdown of roof types we see:

Asphalt Shingles (65% of Residential Roofs)

Most Common in:

• Brandon, Riverview, Valrico (1990s-2000s subdivisions)
• New Tampa, Westchase (newer developments)
• Carrollwood, Town ‘n’ Country (1970s-80s neighborhoods)

Typical Products:

• GAF Timberline HDZ (most popular, 130 mph wind rating)
• Owens Corning Duration (excellent warranty, algae-resistant)
• CertainTeed Landmark (premium option, higher wind resistance)

Average Cost: $8,000-$18,000 for typical Hillsborough County home (1,500-2,500 sq ft roof)

Average Lifespan: 15-20 years in Tampa’s heat/humidity

Concrete Tile (25% of Residential Roofs)

Most Common in:

• South Tampa (Hyde Park, Palma Ceia, Bayshore)
• Temple Terrace
• Davis Islands
• Westchase (some neighborhoods require tile per HOA)

Why Popular in Hillsborough County:

• Extremely durable (50+ year lifespan)
• Hurricane-resistant when properly installed
• Energy-efficient (light colors reflect heat)
• Spanish/Mediterranean aesthetic matches architecture

Important Note: While tiles last 50+ years, the underlayment underneath typically needs replacement every 15-20 years. Many Hillsborough County homeowners are surprised to learn their “good tiles” are causing leaks due to failed underlayment.

Average Cost: $15,000-$30,000 depending on tile type (concrete vs. clay)

Metal Roofing (7% of Residential Roofs, Growing)

Most Common in:

• New construction in rural East Hillsborough (Plant City, Dover)
• Modern homes in South Tampa
• Energy-conscious homeowners county-wide
• Coastal areas (western Hillsborough near Tampa Bay)

Benefits for Hillsborough County:

• 40-50 year lifespan
• Excellent hurricane resistance (if properly installed)
• Energy savings (reflects heat vs. absorbing it)
• Low maintenance

Average Cost: $18,000-$35,000 for residential installation

Flat/Low-Slope Commercial (3% Residential, 85% Commercial)

Most Common in:

• Downtown Tampa commercial buildings
• Westshore office parks
• Brandon/Dale Mabry commercial corridors
• Modern architectural homes (South Tampa)

Products We Install:

• TPO (white membrane, energy-efficient)
• Modified bitumen (excellent durability)
• EPDM (cost-effective option)

Hillsborough County Building Codes & Permits

Hillsborough County operates under the Florida Building Code with some local amendments. All roof work requires permits and inspections—we handle everything for you.

Permit Requirements

Permits Required For:

• All roof replacements (regardless of size)
• Roof repairs over 100 square feet
• Any structural repairs or modifications
• Re-roofing over existing shingles (tear-off also requires permit)

Permits NOT Required For:

• Minor repairs under 100 sq ft (e.g., replacing a few shingles)
• Cleaning and maintenance
• Gutter installation/repair

The Hillsborough County Permit Process

Step 1: Application Submission

• Rain Right submits permit application electronically
• Required documents: Site plan, product specifications, engineering (if needed)
• Typical permit fee: $250-600 depending on project value
• Processing time: 3-5 business days for standard residential

Step 2: Rough Inspection

• Scheduled after tear-off, before final shingles installed
• Inspector verifies: Underlayment, flashing, proper fastening of deck
• Must pass before continuing with installation
• We schedule inspection and are on-site to meet inspector

Step 3: Final Inspection

• Scheduled after project completion
• Inspector verifies: Proper installation, code compliance, cleanup
• Permit closed once final inspection passes
• Copy of final inspection report provided to homeowner

Hillsborough County Code Highlights

Wind Requirements:

• Minimum 130 mph wind resistance for roofing products
• Enhanced requirements within 1 mile of coast (western Hillsborough)
• 6-nail pattern required for high-wind zones (we use 6-nail everywhere)

Underlayment Requirements:

• Ice/water shield required in valleys, at eaves, around penetrations
• Synthetic underlayment increasingly preferred over felt
• Specific requirements for low-slope roofs (under 4:12 pitch)

Flashing Requirements:

• Aluminum or copper flashing (galvanized not allowed in coastal areas)
• Specific requirements for valley flashing, chimney flashing, wall flashing
• Sealed penetrations (vent pipes, skylights, etc.)

Our Compliance Guarantee: We’ve never failed an inspection in Hillsborough County. Our crews are trained on current code requirements, and we exceed code minimums for enhanced protection.

Cities We Serve in Hillsborough County

Major Cities (Full-Service Coverage)

Tampa - County seat, 400,000+ residents Florida’s 3rd largest city and our headquarters location. We’ve completed 500+ Tampa projects from Ybor City to Westchase, Hyde Park to New Tampa.

Brandon - 115,000+ residents Tampa’s largest suburb, featuring primarily 1980s-2000s construction. Fast response times from our Tampa office via I-4 or Crosstown Expressway.

Plant City - 40,000+ residents Historic strawberry capital east of Tampa. Mix of older homes in downtown and newer construction on outskirts. We serve all of Plant City and surrounding rural areas.

Riverview - 95,000+ residents Rapidly growing community south of Brandon. Primarily 2000s+ construction with many tile roofs per HOA requirements. Strong presence in FishHawk Ranch and surrounding developments.

Communities We Serve

North Hillsborough:

• Carrollwood (33618) - Established community, many 1970s-80s homes
• Lutz (33548, 33549) - Mix of rural and suburban, growing rapidly
• Temple Terrace (33617) - Many tile roofs, tree-lined streets
• University (33612, 33613) - Near USF campus

West Hillsborough:

• Westchase (33625, 33626) - Planned community, tile roofs common
• Town ‘n’ Country (33615, 33634) - Large established community
• Citrus Park (33625) - Mix of residential and commercial

South Hillsborough:

• Valrico (33594, 33596) - Suburban community, primarily asphalt shingles
• Bloomingdale (33596) - Established neighborhoods
• Apollo Beach (33572) - Waterfront community, coastal building codes apply
• Gibsonton (33534) - South county, mix of residential and agricultural

East Hillsborough:

• Seffner (33584) - Affordable homes, east of Brandon
• Dover (33527) - Rural community, larger properties
• Thonotosassa (33592) - Lake area, mix of homes and farms

No matter where you are in Hillsborough County, we provide the same quality service and fast response times.

Recent Hillsborough County Projects

Hurricane Ian Recovery (2022-2023): Completed 87 roof replacements following Hurricane Ian damage across Hillsborough County. Most damaged roofs were 12-15 years old with inadequate wind protection from original installation.

South Tampa Tile Underlayment Project (2023): Replaced underlayment on 23 tile roofs in Hyde Park, Palma Ceia, and Beach Park neighborhoods. Tiles were in excellent condition but underlayment had failed after 18-22 years.

Brandon Subdivision Re-Roof (2024): Completed 15 homes in Bloomingdale subdivision built in 1998. All original builder-grade shingles were replaced with GAF Timberline HDZ with upgraded wind protection.

Commercial Projects: Downtown Tampa office building (TPO installation), Westshore medical facility (flat roof replacement), Brandon retail center (modified bitumen).

What Sets Our Hillsborough County Work Apart:

• Average project completion: 2-3 days (most competitors take 4-5)
• First-time inspection pass rate: 100%
• Customer satisfaction: 4.9 stars (Google reviews)
• Warranty callback rate: Less than 1%

Hillsborough County Roofing FAQs

Do I need a permit for roof work in Hillsborough County?

Yes, Hillsborough County requires permits for all roof replacements and repairs over 100 square feet. Rain Right handles all permit applications, fees, and inspection scheduling. Typical permit cost: $250-600. We schedule both rough and final inspections and ensure your project passes the first time.

How long does a roof last in Hillsborough County?

Asphalt shingles: 15-20 years in Tampa’s climate (intense heat and UV reduce lifespan vs. cooler states) Metal roofing: 40-50 years with proper maintenance Tile roofing: 50+ years, but underlayment needs replacement every 15-20 years Flat roofing (TPO/EPDM): 15-25 years depending on product and maintenance

What’s the average cost of roof replacement in Hillsborough County?

Based on our 800+ Hillsborough County projects:

• Small home (1,200-1,500 sq ft): $8,000-$12,000 (asphalt shingles)
• Average home (1,500-2,500 sq ft): $12,000-$18,000 (asphalt shingles)
• Large home (2,500-3,500 sq ft): $18,000-$25,000 (asphalt shingles)
• Tile roofing: Add 50-80% to asphalt costs
• Metal roofing: Add 80-120% to asphalt costs

South Tampa neighborhoods (Hyde Park, Palma Ceia) typically run 10-15% higher due to difficult access, HOA requirements, and higher percentage of tile roofs.

How quickly can you respond to roof emergencies in Hillsborough County?

Emergency response times:

• Tampa, Brandon, Town ‘n’ Country: 1-2 hours
• Riverview, Valrico, Temple Terrace: 2-3 hours
• Plant City, Dover, rural East Hillsborough: 2-3 hours

We offer 24/7 emergency service for active leaks, storm damage, and structural concerns. Call (813) 555-ROOF for immediate assistance.

Does homeowners insurance cover roof replacement in Hillsborough County?

Insurance typically covers sudden damage from:

• Hurricane/tropical storm damage
• Fallen trees or debris
• Fire
• Certain types of wind damage

Insurance typically does NOT cover:

• Normal wear and tear
• Aging roofs (most policies depreciate roofs over 15 years old)
• Lack of maintenance
• Pre-existing damage

Important for Hillsborough County homeowners: Florida insurance policies often have separate hurricane deductibles (typically 2-10% of dwelling value) and may limit coverage on older roofs. We help with insurance claims, documentation, and negotiating with adjusters.

What are the most common roofing problems in Hillsborough County?

Based on our service calls:

1. Valley flashing leaks (heavy summer rain overwhelms poor flashing)
2. Wind uplift damage (hurricanes and thunderstorms lift shingles)
3. Tile underlayment failure (especially in South Tampa 20+ year old homes)
4. Poor ventilation (inadequate attic ventilation accelerates shingle aging)
5. Penetration leaks (vent pipes, skylights, chimneys)

What’s the best time of year for roof replacement in Hillsborough County?

Best months: October through April (dry season, cooler temperatures, less rain) Busiest months: September-November (post-hurricane season) and February-April (dry season)

However, we roof year-round in Hillsborough County. Modern materials handle Florida heat, and we work around afternoon thunderstorms in summer months. Emergency repairs are done immediately regardless of season.

Pro tip: Schedule during slower months (May-June, July) for fastest scheduling and potential savings.

How do I choose a roofing contractor in Hillsborough County?

Verify these essentials:

• ✅ Florida contractor license (verify at myfloridalicense.com)
• ✅ Local Hillsborough County presence (not out-of-state)
• ✅ Liability insurance + workers compensation
• ✅ References from recent local projects
• ✅ Detailed written estimate (not verbal quote)

Red flags to avoid:

• ❌ Asks for full payment upfront
• ❌ No physical address (PO box only)
• ❌ Pressure tactics (“deal expires today”)
• ❌ Dramatically lower than other quotes
• ❌ Can’t provide license number

Rain Right’s Hillsborough County credentials: Licensed FL contractor since 2008, Tampa office, 800+ local projects, 4.9-star rating, A+ BBB rating.

Ready for Your Free Hillsborough County Roof Estimate?

Rain Right Roofing offers free, no-obligation roof inspections throughout Hillsborough County. Whether you’re in Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, or anywhere in between, we provide the same professional service and attention to detail.

What to Expect:

1. Same-day or next-day scheduling (emergency service available 24/7)
2. Professional roof inspection (we climb on roof, check attic, assess all components)
3. Detailed written estimate with material options and timeline
4. No high-pressure sales tactics

Call (813) 555-ROOF or Request Free Estimate →

Related Service Areas

Hillsborough County Cities:

• Tampa Roofing → - County seat, 500+ projects completed
• Brandon Roofing → - Tampa’s largest suburb

Nearby Counties:

• Pinellas County Roofing → - St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo
• Pasco County Roofing → - Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey
• Polk County Roofing → - Lakeland and Central Florida

View All Florida Service Areas → Florida Roofing Coverage