Has anyone used Empire Roofing in Orlando, Fl? What was your experience?

I’m with you on the leftover nails - it’s wild how many still turn up even after the crew “cleans up.” I’ve seen some companies do a better job than others, but honestly, I don’t think anyone gets every last one. The solar attic fan thing is interesting, though. I’ve heard mixed reviews - some people swear by them, others say they’re not worth the cost. Maybe it depends on how much direct sun your roof gets? Either way, I’d take a solid ridge vent over fancy shingles any day, especially in Florida.

- Totally agree on the leftover nails -

“it’s wild how many still turn up even after the crew ‘cleans up.’”

“it’s wild how many still turn up even after the crew ‘cleans up.’”

Nails in the grass are basically a rite of passage at this point. I’ve had three different companies do work on my house (not just roofing), and not once did the “cleanup” mean I wasn’t out there with a magnet myself for weeks. The dog even brought one inside once, which was... not great.

I actually did use Empire for a roof job last year (asphalt shingles, nothing fancy), and I’ll say this: their crew did run a magnet sweep, but it was pretty quick. Maybe they were in a hurry or just figured they’d done enough, but I still found a handful of nails later on. Way fewer than the last company I used, but still. If you really care about the cleanup, you’re probably going to want to double-check their work, no matter who you hire. I don’t think any of these companies are perfect - at the end of the day, it’s a bunch of guys trying to get home after a long shift.

On the venting thing, 100% agree about ridge vents. Had a solar fan at my old place too, and honestly, it was mostly for show. The ridge vent made way more of a difference in keeping the attic bearable in the summer. Florida heat is no joke.

As for Empire’s overall quality, they were middle of the pack price-wise and didn’t try to upsell me on a bunch of extras, which I appreciated. The job took a day longer than promised, but the roof itself looks good and hasn’t leaked through two big storms so far. Warranty paperwork took some chasing, but that seems par for the course around here.

If you’re on a tight budget like me, I’d say Empire is decent, just don’t expect miracles on the cleanup. Buy yourself a $15 magnet roller and plan on a couple walks around the yard after they leave. That’s just real life with roofers, I think.

Yeah, the magnet roller is basically part of my toolkit now. I’ve had Empire and another local crew do roofs for me - neither left the yard spotless, but Empire did a bit better. Still, I found a couple nails in the flower beds weeks later. Ridge vents were a game changer for my attic too... solar fan didn’t do much except make noise. Warranty paperwork was a hassle, but I guess that’s just standard around here.

I hear you on the magnet roller - after my first roof job, I thought I’d picked up every stray nail, but then my landscaper found a couple more weeks later. Empire did my duplex last year and honestly, they were a notch above the last crew, but yeah, still not perfect. The ridge vents made a noticeable difference in the upstairs units, though. I tried a solar fan on another property and it just rattled around... ended up disconnecting it. Paperwork is always a pain, but I’ve started scanning everything right away just in case.

I get the ridge vent thing, but honestly, I’ve had mixed results.

The ridge vents made a noticeable difference in the upstairs units, though.

I had a similar experience with ridge vents - everyone swore by them, but my attic barely cooled off. Ended up crawling around up there and realized my soffit vents were basically blocked by insulation. Once I cleared those out and added a couple more, the airflow actually improved. Haven’t tried a solar fan yet, but after hearing about the noise, I’m not sure it’s worth it. Did Empire Roofing give you any advice on venting, or did they just install what you asked for? Curious if they actually look at attic layout or just go by the book.

When I had my roof redone (not by Empire, but a local outfit), I specifically asked about venting and they just nodded along and did the ridge vent, no real discussion. Only after the fact did I realize the soffit situation was a mess, and the ridge vent alone wasn’t doing squat. Had to poke around myself and, like you, found insulation jammed right up to the edge. Cleared it out and finally got some airflow, but it was a pain.

I’ve heard mixed things about solar fans too. Some folks love them, others say they’re noisy or don’t move enough air to matter. I’m kind of skeptical about any “one size fits all” venting solution, especially in Florida with our humidity. Did Empire actually get up in your attic to check things out, or was it just a quick estimate from the driveway? I’m always wary when contractors skip the details and just go with whatever’s standard. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth paying extra for someone who’ll actually crawl around and look at the whole setup…

I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually seen solar fans make a noticeable difference - at least in a couple of storm repairs I’ve handled. They’re not magic, but when paired with proper soffit venting (which, yeah, is often ignored), they can help push that humid air out. The real issue is when folks slap on a ridge vent or fan without checking if the intake is even open. Had one client where the “vented” soffits were painted shut for years... no wonder their attic felt like a sauna. Sometimes it’s less about the product and more about whether anyone’s actually looking at the whole system.

That’s spot on about the soffit vents - seen the same thing plenty of times. Folks get excited about adding a solar fan or ridge vent, but if the intake’s blocked or painted over, it’s basically useless. I once crawled into an attic where the “vented” soffits were just decorative. No airflow at all, and you could feel the heat hit you like a wall. It’s wild how often the basics get overlooked while everyone focuses on the latest gadget. Proper ventilation is a whole-system deal, not just a quick fix.

Not sure I totally agree that “the basics get overlooked while everyone focuses on the latest gadget.”

Proper ventilation is a whole-system deal, not just a quick fix.

sometimes you gotta work with what you’ve got.

Honestly, I get where you’re coming from. I’m always looking for the most cost-effective fix, and sometimes those gadgets are the only realistic option - especially in older houses where “doing it right” means tearing half the place apart. Solar fans aren’t perfect, but if they keep the attic from turning into an oven and you can’t swing a full vent redo, I say it’s a win. Not every house is a blank slate, right?

I hear you on the “work with what you’ve got” front. I manage a bunch of older properties and, honestly, sometimes you’re just patching things up to get through another season. Full vent redo? In some of these places, that’d mean demo’ing half the attic and probably discovering a bunch of other surprises along the way. Not always worth it unless you’re already gutting the place.

On Empire Roofing - haven’t used them myself, but I’ve had a few neighbors go that route after last year’s hail mess. Mixed reviews, to be honest. One guy swears by them, said they handled his insurance claim and got the whole shingle roof replaced in under two weeks. Another friend had some issues with communication - crew showed up late a couple days, and there was a bit of back-and-forth about cleanup. Nothing major, but if you’re picky about timelines or want daily updates, might be worth mentioning upfront.

If you’re dealing with an older roof (especially those 20+ year asphalt jobs), I’d say ask about their underlayment options. Some companies still default to felt, but synthetic holds up better in our humidity. Learned that one the hard way when a “quick fix” turned into a moldy mess after a summer storm blew off a few shingles.

One thing I always do: walk the property with the crew lead before they start and again before they leave. Saves headaches later if something’s not right or if they missed a pile of nails in the grass (ask me how I know...).

Solar fans are kind of like that too - sometimes it’s just about keeping things manageable until you can budget for a bigger overhaul. Not perfect, but better than roasting your attic (and your AC bill) all summer.

Bottom line, no contractor is perfect, especially in Orlando where everyone’s slammed after storms. Just keep expectations realistic, get everything in writing, and don’t be afraid to speak up if something feels off during the job.

I’ve actually gotten a quote from Empire Roofing, but ended up going with a different company last year after the big hailstorm. Their price was competitive, but I got a weird vibe from the sales guy - he was pushing hard for an “upgrade” package that didn’t seem necessary for my 22-year-old asphalt roof. Maybe that’s just standard sales tactics, but it rubbed me the wrong way.

I’m with you on the underlayment. I specifically asked about synthetic vs. felt, and Empire’s rep said they “usually” use felt unless you request otherwise. That’s a red flag for me in Florida - felt just doesn’t cut it with our humidity and storms. The company I went with (not naming names, but they’re local and smaller) defaulted to synthetic and explained the difference without me even asking. That kind of transparency matters, especially when you’re spending thousands.

One thing I’d add: if you’re on a tight budget, don’t let them talk you into a bunch of extras unless you really need them. I almost got upsold on ridge vents and “premium” shingles, but after doing some research, I realized my roof’s pitch and attic layout didn’t even benefit from the fancy stuff. Sometimes the basics are fine, especially if you’re just trying to get a few more years out of an old roof.

And yeah, the cleanup thing is real. I still find the occasional nail in my yard, and that’s after two sweeps with a magnet. If you’re detail-oriented (like me), make sure you do that final walk-through. It’s tedious, but worth it - my neighbor’s kid stepped on a roofing nail barefoot, and that was a whole ordeal.

Bottom line, Empire’s not the worst, but I’d say read the fine print, ask about materials, and don’t be afraid to push back on upsells. In Orlando, you’re paying for speed after a storm, but sometimes that means corners get cut. If you’re willing to wait a bit longer, you might get better attention to detail from a smaller outfit. Just my two cents.

- Had Empire out for a quote after Irma - felt like I was buying a used car, not a roof. The “upgrade” pitch was strong, but my wallet said nope.
- Totally agree on the underlayment. Florida + felt = soggy regrets. I asked for synthetic and got a blank stare.
- Cleanup is always a mess. I still find shingle bits in my gutters two years later... and I’m not even sure they’re from my roof.
- My take: if you’re handy, double-check everything before you sign. The little stuff adds up fast, especially with bigger companies in a rush.

- Did a couple walk-throughs with Empire crews on job sites. Sales pitch was definitely pushy, but their install guys seemed solid - just rushed.
- Synthetic underlayment is a must here, totally agree. Surprised they acted clueless.
- Cleanup’s always a pain. I’ve seen nails and shingle scraps left behind even after “final” sweeps.
- Double-checking details is huge. Saw a missed vent flashing once - easy fix if you catch it, big headache if you don’t.

Pushy sales tactics seem to be the norm with a lot of the bigger outfits, but I’d rather deal with a pushy salesperson than a sloppy install crew. Rushed work is a red flag for me, though. I’ve seen too many jobs where installers cut corners just to hit their daily quota, and it’s usually the little stuff - like missed flashings or poorly nailed shingles - that comes back to bite you a year or two down the road.

Synthetic underlayment is non-negotiable in Florida, especially with our storms and humidity. If a crew acts confused about that, I’d start questioning how up-to-date they are on code and best practices. Cleanup is always hit or miss, but honestly, I’ve never seen a site that was 100% spotless after a roof job. The magnet roller helps, but nails still turn up in the grass for weeks.

Double-checking details is huge. I always tell folks to walk the roof with the foreman before signing off. One missed vent flashing can mean a hidden leak and a world of trouble later. You’re right - it’s an easy fix if you catch it, but a real pain if you don’t. Good on you for paying attention to the details most people miss.

You nailed it about the difference between a pushy sales pitch and a sloppy install. I’ve seen plenty of roofs where the paperwork was perfect but the work up top was a mess - missing drip edge, exposed fasteners, you name it. It’s always the little things that come back to haunt you, especially in Florida. I’ve crawled through enough attics after a few good storms to know a missed flashing or a shortcut on underlayment can mean water stains and mold before you know it.

Synthetic underlayment really is the baseline here. I remember one job where the crew tried to use old-school felt because “that’s what they had on the truck.” The homeowner caught it, thankfully, but if he hadn’t, that roof would’ve been asking for trouble. It’s wild how some crews still try to cut corners, even with all the code changes after the last round of hurricanes.

Cleanup is always a sore spot. I’ve yet to see a site where you don’t find a stray nail or two in the grass a week later. I tell folks to check their tires for a while after a job wraps up - learned that one the hard way.

Walking the roof with the foreman is solid advice. I’ve seen homeowners sign off from the driveway, then call me six months later when water’s dripping through a light fixture. One missed vent or a loose shingle is all it takes. You’re right to focus on those details. Most people just want the job done and don’t realize how much can go wrong if you don’t double-check.

You’re on the right track keeping an eye on the install, not just the sales pitch. That’s where the real problems start or get solved.

I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen synthetic underlayment fail too - especially the cheap stuff some crews use to save a buck. Not saying felt is better, but it’s not always black and white. Sometimes it’s more about the crew’s attention to detail than the material itself.

Sometimes it’s more about the crew’s attention to detail than the material itself.

That’s honestly what worries me the most - like, you can buy the “good” synthetic underlayment, but if the crew’s just rushing or cutting corners, does it even matter? I’ve seen neighbors get new roofs with all the fancy materials, and then a year later they’re patching leaks because the install was sloppy. Makes me wonder if paying extra for the name brand stuff is worth it, or if I should just focus on finding a crew that actually cares.

I’m in Orlando too, and with all the storms we get, I’m not sure if felt would hold up any better. Has anyone had Empire do a job where they actually took the time to explain what they were using and why? I’m trying to avoid getting stuck with the “cheap stuff” just because I’m on a budget, but I also don’t want to overpay for something that’s just marketing.

It’s tough to know what’s hype and what’s actually going to last, especially when you’re not up there watching every nail go in.