# Stronghold Roofing vs Other Roofers

> A side-by-side comparison of a Stronghold Roofing quote with other roofers' quotes: 22 checks in 6 groups, the red flags of a lowball or storm-chaser quote, a 14-line scope for a complete Florida re-roof, plain facts, a glossary, and answers to common questions.

- Page: https://strongholdroofing.com/stronghold-roofing-vs-other-roofers
- Company: Stronghold Roofing · Florida license CCC1331698 · GAF Master Elite · 4.9 stars from 500+ reviews
- Phone: 863-225-8482 (answered 24/7)

No other roofer is named. The "Other roofers" column describes what homeowners commonly find on the quotes they bring us; "Watch for" is the red flag of a lowball or storm-chaser quote.

## How to use this with a real quote

Hold a written quote up against each check below. If a line is not on the quote in writing, treat it as missing. Bring any written quote — we'll match the scope line-by-line, in writing.

Weights run from 1 to 3 (3 matters most). A quote's score is the weights of every check it passes, out of 50, shown as a number out of 100.

## Who shows up

| Check | Weight | Stronghold Roofing | Other Roofers | Watch for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Who's on your roof | 3 of 3 | Our own employees on about 90% of jobs. The estimator and the installers answer to the same boss. | Varies: Often a subcontracted crew. The salesperson may never see your roof again. | A crew that's whoever is free that week, paid by the square to go fast. |
| License and insurance | 3 of 3 | Florida certified roofing contractor CCC1331698. Insured and bonded. | Varies: Licensed. Proof of insurance is up to you to ask for. | No license number anywhere on the paperwork. |
| Here next year | 2 of 3 | A Florida company since 2018. Same name, same license, same phone number. | Varies: Usually local. Ask how long they've held their license. | A company that follows the storms and leaves with your warranty when the work dries up. |

- **Who's on your roof.** Why it matters: When the crew works for the company that signed your contract, a problem in year three is still their problem. Ask: Does it say who installs the roof: their own crew or a subcontractor? Proof: [Meet the team](https://strongholdroofing.com/about).
- **License and insurance.** Why it matters: A Florida license number lets you check a contractor's record in two minutes. No number, nothing to check. Ask: Is a Florida contractor license number printed on it? Proof: [Verify the license](https://www.myfloridalicense.com/portalsearches/VerifyLicensee/Results?LicNbr=CCC1331698&SearchType=SearchByLicenseNumber).
- **Here next year.** Why it matters: A warranty is a promise about the future. It is worth what the company behind it is worth. Ask: Does it show a local office address and phone number? Proof: [Our story](https://strongholdroofing.com/about).

## The quote

| Check | Weight | Stronghold Roofing | Other Roofers | Watch for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| What's in writing | 3 of 3 | Every step on paper: home protection, full tear-off, deck re-nailing to Florida code, valley metal, drip edge, vents, boots, cleanup. | Varies: A few lines and a total. The details live in the salesperson's head. | One number on one page. What's missing shows up after tear-off. |
| Rotten wood | 3 of 3 | A wood allowance is built in. Bad decking is photographed, and anything extra is billed at the per-sheet price on your estimate. | Varies: A per-sheet price, if you think to ask. | "We'll see when we open it up." Then a bill on install day. |
| If you don't need a new roof | 2 of 3 | We tell you, even when it costs us the job. If a repair buys you years, that is what we recommend. | Varies: Depends on who comes out. Some push the bigger job. | Every roof needs replacing, because it's the only thing they sell. |
| Other quotes | 1 of 3 | Get two or three. We'll help you line them up, apples to apples. | Varies: Fine with it, but their quote is hard to line up with anyone else's. | A sign-today discount, so you never see the other number. |

- **What's in writing.** Why it matters: If a step isn't written down, it isn't promised. That is where most gaps between quotes hide. Ask: Does it list every step of the job, line by line? Proof: [See the 14-line scope](https://strongholdroofing.com/stronghold-roofing-vs-other-roofers#scope).
- **Rotten wood.** Why it matters: Rotten decking is where install-day surprise bills come from. A printed price per sheet caps the surprise. Ask: Does it print a price per sheet of replacement decking?
- **If you don't need a new roof.** Why it matters: A roofer who will talk you out of a sale is one you can believe about everything else. Ask: Does it say whether a repair would do instead?
- **Other quotes.** Why it matters: Two complete quotes side by side is the fastest way to find a gap. Pressure to sign today usually means a quote won't survive the comparison. Ask: Were you given time to compare, with no sign-today discount?

## The roof

| Check | Weight | Stronghold Roofing | Other Roofers | Watch for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| The whole system | 3 of 3 | A full GAF system: starter, deck protection, leak barrier, shingles, ridge cap and ventilation, made to work together. | Varies: Name-brand shingles over whatever parts were on the truck. | New shingles over the cheapest layers they can find. |
| The shingle | 2 of 3 | GAF Timberline HDZ, America's #1-selling shingle, as standard. Timberline UHDZ is an optional upgrade. | Varies: A name brand. The exact product line is often left off. | "Architectural shingle." Which one, they don't say. |
| Permit and inspection | 3 of 3 | We pull the permit, schedule the inspections and close it out. The paperwork comes to you. | Varies: Usually pulled. Closing it out can slip. | "We'll handle it." Ask to see the permit number. |
| Wind mitigation inspection | 2 of 3 | Included on every re-roof and filed for you. | Varies: Sometimes offered. Often you book and pay for it yourself. | No mention of it at all. |

- **The whole system.** Why it matters: Many roofs fail early because of what is under the shingles, not the shingles. A matched system is also what qualifies for GAF's stronger warranties. Ask: Does it name the brand of every layer, not just the shingle? Proof: [Shingle roofs](https://strongholdroofing.com/roof/shingle).
- **The shingle.** Why it matters: Shingle lines from the same brand differ in wind rating, warranty and looks. The exact product belongs on paper. Ask: Does it name the exact shingle product line?
- **Permit and inspection.** Why it matters: No permit means no inspection, no wind mitigation credit, and problems when you sell. Ask: Does it say who pulls the permit and passes the final inspection?
- **Wind mitigation inspection.** Why it matters: It shows your insurer the roof's wind features, and it may lower your premium. Ask: Is a wind mitigation inspection included?

## Warranty and proof

| Check | Weight | Stronghold Roofing | Other Roofers | Watch for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Manufacturer standing | 3 of 3 | GAF Master Elite, a status held by about 2% of roofing contractors. | Rarely: About 98% of roofing contractors are not GAF Master Elite. Many have a basic manufacturer listing, or none. | No manufacturer certification you can look up. |
| Workmanship warranty | 3 of 3 | Choose GAF Silver Pledge (10 years) or Golden Pledge (up to 25 years) on qualifying roofs, backed by GAF. | Varies: Usually 1–5 years, from the contractor alone. | A handshake and a business card. |
| Warranty paperwork | 2 of 3 | Registered in your name. A Golden Pledge is transferable if you sell. | Varies: Sometimes registered. Often left to you. | Nothing to register. |
| Reviews and references | 2 of 3 | 4.9 stars from 500+ reviews, plus neighbors you can call and roofs you can drive by. | Varies: A handful of reviews. References if you ask. | A new name with no history to read. |

- **Manufacturer standing.** Why it matters: GAF lets only Master Elite contractors offer its strongest warranties. It is third-party proof of quality, training and reliability. Ask: Does the contractor hold a top manufacturer certification you can look up? Proof: [GAF profile](https://www.gaf.com/en-us/roofing-contractors/residential/usa/fl/lakeland/stronghold-roofing-solar-1120622).
- **Workmanship warranty.** Why it matters: A shingle warranty says nothing about the installation, which is where almost every real leak starts. The workmanship warranty, and who backs it, is the one that matters. Ask: Does it say how long the workmanship is covered, and who backs it? Proof: [Warranty details](https://strongholdroofing.com/warranties).
- **Warranty paperwork.** Why it matters: GAF's enhanced warranties count only once they are registered. A transferable one is worth something when you sell. Ask: Will they register the warranty in your name?
- **Reviews and references.** Why it matters: References within 10 miles beat any five-star badge. So do hundreds of recent reviews. Ask: Did they give you references you can call? Proof: [Read the reviews](https://strongholdroofing.com/reviews).

## After the job

| Check | Weight | Stronghold Roofing | Other Roofers | Watch for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| How fast | 2 of 3 | Inspection usually within 24–48 hours. Most shingle re-roofs take one to two days. | Varies: A start date, then a wait. | Tear-off, then a tarp while the crew works another job. |
| Cleanup | 1 of 3 | Landscaping and driveway protected, and a magnet sweep for nails before we leave. | Varies: A quick sweep. You find the rest later. | Nails in the grass, shingles in the bushes. |
| Your roof file | 2 of 3 | One documentation package: photos, the closed permit, the paid invoice and your warranty papers. | Varies: An invoice. The rest if you ask. | A receipt, if that. |
| When you need us | 2 of 3 | Phone, text and live chat, 24/7. Fast callback. | Varies: Office hours, then voicemail. | A cell number that stops answering. |
| Insurance claims | 2 of 3 | We document the damage with photos and meet your adjuster on the roof. We're roofers, not public adjusters. | Varies: "Call your insurance company." Then you're on your own. | An offer to waive your deductible. That is insurance fraud. |

- **How fast.** Why it matters: Every day a roof sits open or tarped is a day of Florida weather on your house. Ask: Does it give a start date and how long the install takes?
- **Cleanup.** Why it matters: A stray roofing nail is a flat tire or a hurt pet. A magnet sweep catches them. Ask: Is cleanup with a magnet sweep written in?
- **Your roof file.** Why it matters: Your insurer and your future buyer will both ask for these papers. Having them on day one saves a scramble. Ask: Will you get photos, the closed permit and the warranty papers at the end?
- **When you need us.** Why it matters: Leaks don't keep office hours. Neither should the company that put on your roof. Ask: Does it list a phone number that is answered 24/7? Proof: [Contact](https://strongholdroofing.com/contact).
- **Insurance claims.** Why it matters: A roofer on the roof with your adjuster is how damage gets documented instead of missed. Ask: Will they meet your adjuster and document the damage with photos? Proof: [How claims work](https://strongholdroofing.com/insurance-claims).

## The price

| Check | Weight | Stronghold Roofing | Other Roofers | Watch for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| The final price | 3 of 3 | Written scope, written price. On a matched scope we beat most written estimates, often by thousands. | Varies: A fair price, on a scope that may not match line for line. | Low to win the signature. Decking, code items and extras come later. |
| How you pay | 1 of 3 | Third-party financing with $0-down options for qualified applicants, 12–84 month terms and no prepayment penalty. | Varies: Cash or check. Financing if you ask. | Pressure for a big cash deposit before any work starts. |

- **The final price.** Why it matters: The number that counts is on the final invoice, not the first page of the quote. Ask: Is the price fixed, with changes only by your written approval? Proof: [See real price ranges](https://strongholdroofing.com/pricing), [Rated #1 for roofing price](https://roofingreportusa.com/florida/central-florida/best-roofing-companies).
- **How you pay.** Why it matters: Financing lets you pick the right roof, not just the cheapest one you can pay cash for today. Ask: Are the payment terms and any deposit written down before you sign? Proof: [Financing](https://strongholdroofing.com/financing).

## What a complete Florida re-roof includes

1. **Home protection.** Tarps over landscaping, with the driveway and yard protected before tear-off starts. Why: Tear-off throws old nails and shingles. Protection keeps them out of your plants, pool and yard. On a quote, look for: "Landscape and property protection".
2. **Full tear-off.** Every old layer comes off, down to the wood deck. Why: It is the only way to see and fix the deck before a new roof covers it up again. On a quote, look for: "Full tear-off to the deck".
3. **Deck re-nailing to current Florida code.** The roof deck is re-nailed to the pattern the Florida Building Code calls for. Why: That nailing is what holds the deck to your house when hurricane winds pull at the roof. On a quote, look for: "Re-nail decking to current Florida Building Code".
4. **Decking photos and a per-sheet price.** A wood allowance is built in. Rotten wood is photographed and replaced at a per-sheet price printed on the estimate. Why: Heat and old leaks rot decking you can't see from the ground. A printed price stops install-day surprises. On a quote, look for: "Wood allowance, plus a price per sheet".
5. **Underlayment and leak barrier.** GAF deck protection across the deck, and GAF leak barrier, the self-adhering layer used where a roof is most likely to leak. Why: Shingles shed water. The layers underneath stop wind-driven rain when a storm lifts the shingles. On a quote, look for: "Brand and name of the underlayment and leak barrier".
6. **Starter strip.** Starter shingles along the eaves and rakes, under the first row. Why: Roof edges take the most wind. Starter shingles seal the first row down so it doesn't peel. On a quote, look for: "Starter strip at eaves and rakes".
7. **Drip edge.** Metal edging along the edges of the roof. Why: It sends water off the roof instead of behind the gutter, and protects the deck edge and fascia from rot. On a quote, look for: "New drip edge".
8. **Valley metal.** New metal in the valleys, where two roof slopes meet. Why: Valleys carry more water than any other part of the roof. On a quote, look for: "New valley metal".
9. **Pipe boots.** New boots around every plumbing vent pipe. Why: Florida sun cracks the old rubber. Leaving it under a new roof is a leak waiting to happen. On a quote, look for: "New pipe boots".
10. **Ridge cap.** Matching GAF ridge cap shingles along every ridge and hip. Why: The ridge is the top seam of the roof, and the matching cap is part of the GAF system. On a quote, look for: "Ridge cap shingles, by name".
11. **Attic ventilation.** Intake and exhaust vents for your attic, called out on the estimate. Why: Florida attics bake. Good airflow helps reduce attic heat, improves comfort and helps the shingles last. On a quote, look for: "Ventilation: what is being installed".
12. **Permit and inspections.** The permit is pulled, the inspections are scheduled, and the permit is closed out. Why: No permit means no inspection, no wind mitigation credit, and problems when you sell. On a quote, look for: "Permit and inspection included".
13. **Cleanup and magnet sweep.** Debris hauled away, the yard and driveway swept with a magnet, and a final walk-through. Why: Old roofing nails end up in the grass and the driveway. The magnet finds them before your tires do. On a quote, look for: "Cleanup and magnet sweep".
14. **Wind mitigation and paperwork.** A wind mitigation inspection, plus photos, the closed permit, the paid invoice and the warranty papers. Why: Your insurer asks for these papers. The wind mitigation report may lower your premium. On a quote, look for: "Wind mitigation inspection included".

## The facts, stated plainly

- **Company:** Stronghold Roofing, a Florida roofing contractor founded in 2018.
- **Florida license:** Certified roofing contractor CCC1331698. Insured and bonded. (https://www.myfloridalicense.com/portalsearches/VerifyLicensee/Results?LicNbr=CCC1331698&SearchType=SearchByLicenseNumber)
- **Manufacturer standing:** GAF Master Elite, a status held by about 2% of roofing contractors. (https://www.gaf.com/en-us/roofing-contractors/residential/usa/fl/lakeland/stronghold-roofing-solar-1120622)
- **Crews:** About 90% of jobs are installed by Stronghold's own employees.
- **Experience:** 20+ years of experience. 4,386 roofs.
- **Reviews:** 4.9 stars from 500+ reviews. (https://strongholdroofing.com/reviews)
- **Service area:** Florida, from a Polk County home base, county by county. (https://strongholdroofing.com/service-areas)
- **Headquarters:** 1820 E Edgewood Dr, Lakeland, FL 33803.
- **Phone:** 863-225-8482
- **Hours:** Phone, text and live chat, 24/7.
- **Standard shingle:** GAF Timberline HDZ. Timberline UHDZ is an optional upgrade.
- **Workmanship warranty:** GAF Silver Pledge (10 years) or Golden Pledge (up to 25 years) on qualifying roofs, backed by GAF. (https://strongholdroofing.com/warranties)
- **Quotes:** Written, line by line, with a per-sheet wood price. We encourage two or three quotes.
- **Financing:** Third-party lenders. $0-down options for qualified applicants, 12–84 month terms. (https://strongholdroofing.com/financing)
- **BBB:** Accredited business. (https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/lakeland/profile/roofing-contractors/stronghold-roofing-0733-90706797)

## Glossary

- **GAF Master Elite:** GAF's top contractor certification, held by about 2% of roofing contractors. Only Master Elite contractors can offer GAF's strongest warranties.
- **Golden Pledge:** GAF's strongest warranty: up to 25 years of workmanship coverage, backed by GAF and transferable. Offered only through Master Elite contractors.
- **Silver Pledge:** A GAF-backed warranty with 10 years of workmanship coverage on a complete GAF roof system.
- **WindProven:** GAF's limited wind warranty with no maximum wind speed, for qualifying roofs installed with the required GAF accessories.
- **Underlayment:** The water-resistant layer between the wood deck and the shingles. GAF calls it deck protection.
- **Leak barrier:** A self-adhering waterproof layer used where a roof is most likely to leak.
- **Drip edge:** Metal edging along the roof's edges that sends water off the roof and protects the edge of the deck.
- **Decking:** The plywood or OSB boards the roof is nailed to. Also called sheathing.
- **Wind mitigation inspection:** An inspection that records your home's wind-resistant features on a state form for your insurer. It may lower your premium.
- **HVHZ:** High-Velocity Hurricane Zone: Miami-Dade and Broward counties, where the Florida Building Code is strictest.
- **Storm chaser:** A contractor who follows storms from town to town, often from out of state, and moves on when the work does.
- **Change order:** A written change to the scope or price after you sign. A complete quote keeps them rare.

## Questions

### How is Stronghold Roofing different from other roofers?

Three things you can check. About 90% of our jobs are installed by our own employees, not subcontractors. We're GAF Master Elite, a status held by about 2% of roofing contractors, so we can offer GAF-backed workmanship warranties. And every quote lists the full scope in writing, including the per-sheet price for any rotten wood. Florida license CCC1331698, 4.9 stars from 500+ reviews.

### Should I get more than one roofing quote?

Yes. Get two or three written quotes and line them up item by item: tear-off, deck nailing, underlayment, metal and vents, permit, wind mitigation, warranty, and the per-sheet wood price. The scorecard on this page works as a checklist. If a quote leaves a line out, ask for it in writing before you compare prices.

### Why can a lower roofing quote end up costing more?

Because the missing lines come back later. Rotten decking with no per-sheet price, a permit nobody closes out, or a contractor-only warranty from a company that is gone in two years can each cost more than the gap between two quotes. Compare the scope first, then the price.

### Does Stronghold Roofing use subcontractors?

Mostly no. About 90% of our jobs are installed by Stronghold's own employees. The estimator who quotes your roof and the crew that builds it answer to the same boss, so nobody can point a finger at someone else if something needs fixing.

### What is GAF Master Elite, and why does it matter?

It is GAF's top contractor certification, held by about 2% of roofing contractors. GAF only lets Master Elite contractors offer its strongest warranties, like the Golden Pledge with up to 25 years of workmanship coverage backed by GAF. It is third-party proof of quality, training and reliability, not a badge we gave ourselves.

### What should a Florida roofing quote include?

At minimum: home protection, full tear-off, deck re-nailing to current Florida code, underlayment and leak barrier, starter strip, drip edge, valley metal, pipe boots, ridge cap, attic ventilation, permit and inspection, cleanup with a magnet sweep, a wind mitigation inspection, the per-sheet price for rotten wood, the exact shingle, and a workmanship warranty that says who backs it. The 14-line scope on this page explains each one.

### Can Stronghold Roofing match another roofer's quote?

Bring any written quote — we'll match the scope line-by-line, in writing. Then you can see exactly what each price includes. On a matched scope, our price beats most written estimates.

### What happens if I don't need a new roof?

We tell you — in writing, even if it costs us the job. If a repair buys you years, that's what we recommend. The inspection and the Free Roof Plan cost nothing either way.

## Next step

Have another roofer's quote? Upload a photo or PDF of it at https://strongholdroofing.com/stronghold-roofing-vs-other-roofers#upload-estimate or https://strongholdroofing.com/let-us-compete, and we send our written quote built to the same scope. Or call 863-225-8482, 24/7. No pressure. No obligation. Ever.