A handyman in Florida is offering to reroof my neighbor's house for cash and says no permit is needed because it's the same material going back on.

No, he is wrong. In Florida, a permit is always required for a roof replacement (reroof), regardless of whether the material is the same. This is mandated by the Florida Building Code (FBC), Existing Building Code Section 706.1.1 and F.S. 553.79(1).

Key reasons:

1. Structural/Code Compliance: The inspector must verify deck attachment (nailing pattern), secondary water barrier (SWR), flashing, drip edge, and wind mitigation compliance (FBC Chapter 15 / R905).
2. Wind-Borne Debris Region: If the property is in a Wind-Borne Debris Region (WBDR) or High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ - Miami-Dade/Broward), specific product approvals (NOA/Florida Product Approval) and enhanced attachment are legally required. You cannot verify this without a permit/inspection.
3. Insurance & Liability: Unpermitted work voids most homeowner’s insurance coverage for the roof. It creates massive liability for the homeowner if a worker is injured (no workers' comp) or if the roof fails in a storm.
4. Licensing: Roofing requires a state-certified or registered Roofing Contractor license (CBC/RCC) under F.S. 489.105(3)(q). A general "handyman" cannot legally contract for roofing work exceeding $2,500 (handyman exemption limit) or structural work. "Cash, no permit" = unlicensed contracting (felony in declared emergencies, misdemeanor otherwise).

Action: Tell your neighbor to stop. Verify the contractor’s license at myfloridalicense.com. File for a permit before work starts. If work has begun, contact the local Building Department immediately.

No, the handyman is not correct — a permit is almost certainly required in Florida, even if the same roofing material is being replaced.

Under the Florida Building Code (FBC), specifically Section 105.1, a building permit is required for any work involving the construction, alteration, repair, or replacement of a roof system. This includes reroofing, regardless of whether the same material (e.g., asphalt shingles, tile, metal) is being reinstalled.

The FBC does not exempt reroofing from permitting based on material similarity. In fact, Florida has strict roofing regulations due to hurricane risks, and permits ensure:

• Proper wind uplift resistance (per FBC Chapter 16 and ASCE 7),
• Correct underlayment and flashing installation,
• Compliance with energy code (if applicable),
• And that the work is performed by a licensed contractor.

Additionally, Florida Statute 489.103 defines roofing work as a specialty trade that generally requires a licensed roofing contractor (CGC or CRC license) to perform legally. A handyman performing reroofing for cash without a license is likely violating state law — unlicensed contracting is a first-degree misdemeanor in Florida.

Exception: Minor repairs (e.g., replacing a few damaged shingles) may not require a permit, but a full reroof always does.

Advice: Tell your neighbor to:

1. Verify the contractor’s license via Florida DBPR,
2. Require a written contract and permit pull,
3. Never pay in full upfront — especially in cash — for unlicensed work.

If the work proceeds without a permit or license, the homeowner risks failed inspections, insurance denial, fines, and having to redo the job. Recommend hiring a licensed, insured roofing contractor.