Ask Eric — Free Roofing Advice from a Licensed Florida Contractor

AI-Powered Roofing Advisor

Ask Eric — Free Roofing Advice From a Licensed Florida Contractor

Not sure if you need a repair or replacement? Wondering if your damage qualifies for an insurance claim? Ask Eric — powered by 29 years of real roofing expertise, trained specifically on Florida roofing, storm damage, and insurance claims.

✓ FL License CCC1333103 ✓ HAAG Certified Inspector ✓ GAF Certified Plus™ 2026 ✓ 29 Years Experience ✓ 2,500+ Projects
Eric Flaherty, Founder and Licensed Roofing Contractor
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Ask Eric is onlineAnswering roofing questions now

Real Answers From a Real Roofer

Most homeowners don’t know enough about roofing to know what questions to ask — and that’s exactly how contractors take advantage of them. Ask Eric changes that.

Eric Flaherty founded iDEAL Home Solutions in Bradenton after 29 years in construction and roofing. He’s personally overseen more than 2,500 projects across the Tampa Bay region and Florida Panhandle, with a specialty in storm damage documentation and insurance claim advocacy.

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    No sales pressure. Eric tells you what you actually need, even if the answer is nothing right now.
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    Insurance expertise. Ask about your claim, your deductible, ACV vs. RCV, or whether your damage is worth filing on.
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    Material guidance. Shingles vs. metal vs. tile for your budget, neighborhood, and insurance situation.
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    Florida-specific. Trained on Manatee, Sarasota, Hillsborough, and Panhandle roofing — not generic national advice.
How to Chat With Ask Eric
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Look for the chat iconThe “Ask Eric” chat bubble appears in the bottom-right corner of every page — including this one.
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Click or tap to openA chat window opens with Eric ready to answer your roofing questions instantly.
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Type your questionAsk anything — storm damage, insurance, materials, costs, repair vs. replace.
The chat icon is right down there
Look for the 💬 icon in the bottom-right corner
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Questions Eric Answers Every Day

These are the most common questions Florida homeowners ask. Tap the chat icon below to get answers tailored to your home.

How do I know if my roof has storm damage?
Common signs include missing or lifted shingles, granule loss in gutters, and ceiling stains. But many types of damage — especially hail impact — aren’t visible from the ground. A free drone inspection documents everything accurately.
Will my insurance cover a roof repair or replacement?
If damage was caused by wind, hail, or a named storm, it’s likely covered. About 60% of our projects involve an insurance claim. The key is proper documentation before you file — that’s what our free inspection provides.
How much does a new roof cost in Florida?
For a typical 2,000 sq ft home: shingles run $9,000–$16,000, metal $18,000–$35,000, tile $20,000–$40,000. Exact pricing depends on your home, roof pitch, and whether storm damage insurance applies.
What’s the best roofing material for Florida?
Shingles offer the best value. Metal provides the longest lifespan and best hurricane resistance, plus insurance savings of 20–30%. Tile is excellent for heat and UV but requires expert installation.
Should I use an insurance adjuster or a public adjuster?
Your insurer’s adjuster works for them. A public adjuster works for you but charges 10–15% of the claim. Having your roofing contractor at the adjuster meeting — which we do free — is often just as effective.
How long does roof replacement take in Florida?
Shingle: 1–3 days. Metal: 1–2 weeks. Tile: 2–3 weeks. Insurance jobs take longer due to claim processing. We’ll give you a timeline after your free inspection.

Ask Eric About Any Roofing Topic

Trained on 29 years of Florida roofing experience and thousands of real projects.

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Storm Damage
Hurricane, hail, wind damage assessment, documentation, and what qualifies for an insurance claim.
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Insurance Claims
How to file, what adjusters look for, ACV vs. RCV, supplements, and how to maximize your payout.
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Roof Materials
Shingles vs. metal vs. tile for Florida’s climate, HOA requirements, lifespan, and insurance discounts.
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Roof Costs
Real 2026 prices by material and home size for Bradenton, Tampa, Sarasota, and the Panhandle.
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Repair vs. Replace
When a repair makes sense, when replacement is smarter, and how to tell the difference.
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Solar Roofing
Metal + solar systems, detach and reset, integrated installations, and ROI in Florida’s sun belt.