Financing guide · FloridaUpdated July 2026
Six Ways to Pay for a Florida Roof
A replacement in our tracked cities runs $8,000–$35,000+. Before signing a contractor's financing paperwork, know the whole menu — including the state money most homeowners never claim.
Exhaust non-debt money first
- Insurance. If storm damage is in play, the claim comes first — see the claim guide. Financing what insurance owed you is the most expensive mistake on this page.
- My Safe Florida Home. State program offering free wind-mitigation inspections and matching hardening grants (historically $2 state per $1 homeowner, up to $10,000) for eligible owner-occupied homes. Funding opens and closes by legislative cycle — check the program site before assuming either way.
- Wind-mitigation credits. Not cash up front, but a new-to-code roof with sealed deck and proper attachments earns statutory insurance discounts (OIR-B1-1802 inspection form, ~$75–150) that partially offset payments for years.
The debt options, compared
| Option | Secured by | Credit check | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| FHA Title I home-improvement loan | Home (no equity required) | Yes — HUD sets no floor; lenders commonly ~500+ | Single-family cap $25,000; must use an approved Title I lender |
| HELOC / home-equity loan | Home equity | Yes | Usually the lowest rate if you have equity; closing costs and variable rates |
| PACE assessment (FL) | Property tax bill | No — equity-based | Priority lien; complicates sale/refinance; FHA/VA lenders often require payoff. Compare APR-equivalent carefully |
| Contractor 0% promo plans | Unsecured | Yes | Deferred-interest clauses: miss the promo window and interest applies retroactively |
| Personal loan | Unsecured | Yes | Fastest, highest rates; fine for small repairs, expensive for full roofs |
Rates and program terms move; treat this as a comparison framework, not an offer sheet. Verify current terms with lenders and program sites.
Size the loan with real numbers
Don't finance a guess. Get your city's range from the cost calculator, collect itemized quotes (what to check line by line), and remember Florida's deposit law: a contractor taking more than 10% down must apply for permits within 30 days (s. 489.126, Florida Statutes). Large cash deposits before permits = classic storm-chaser pattern.
FAQ
Is PACE financing a scam?
No — it's a legal assessment program with real consumer-protection reforms added in Florida in 2024. But the priority-lien structure genuinely complicates selling or refinancing, and per-payment costs often exceed a HELOC. It fits homeowners with equity but weak credit who plan to stay put.
Can I get roof financing with bad credit?
FHA Title I lenders commonly work down to ~500 scores, and PACE doesn't check credit at all. Both cost more over time than equity-secured borrowing — compare total repayment, not monthly payment.
Do contractors mark up financed jobs?
Dealer-arranged financing carries a dealer fee the contractor pays the lender — often folded into your price. Ask for the cash price and the financed price; the spread tells you the real cost of that '0%'.
City guides
Martin County
St. Lucie County
Indian River County