FL Roofing Contractor flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Markup versus margin

Markup divides profit by cost, while margin divides profit by selling price. A 25 percent markup yields only a 20 percent gross margin, so pricing must state which basis is used.

Break-even point

Break-even revenue equals total fixed overhead divided by the gross margin percentage. It is the sales volume at which the company covers all fixed costs and earns zero profit.

Notice to Owner

A written notice served by a subcontractor or supplier on the owner within 45 days of first furnishing labor or materials, preserving the right to a construction lien on private Florida projects.

Claim of lien deadline

A Florida claim of lien must be recorded within 90 days after the last day the lienor furnished labor, services, or materials, and foreclosure must be filed within one year of recording.

Retainage limit, private work

On Florida private construction contracts, retainage withheld from each progress payment may not exceed 10 percent of the payment until final completion and acceptance of the work.

Qualifying agent

The licensed individual who supervises and qualifies a Florida contracting business. The license is issued to the person, who must be a primary owner or officer of the business entity.

Notice of Commencement

A recorded and posted document identifying the owner, contractor, surety, and property, required before work begins. Its recording date can start the 45-day Notice to Owner period.

Working capital

Current assets minus current liabilities. It measures a roofing company's short-term ability to pay suppliers, crews, and overhead before progress payments arrive.

Change order

A written modification to the contract scope, price, or schedule, signed by the owner and contractor before the work is performed. Oral changes are difficult to enforce and collect.

Critical path

The longest sequence of dependent activities in a project schedule. Any delay on the critical path delays the project completion date unless the schedule is adjusted.

Substantial completion

The stage when the roof is usable for its intended purpose, with only minor punch-list items remaining. It typically starts warranties, limits retainage, and triggers final payment procedures.

Conditional lien waiver

A waiver that becomes effective only when the stated payment actually clears the bank. If the check is dishonored, the waiver is void and lien rights remain intact.

Prompt payment, private projects

On private Florida projects, an owner must pay a contractor within 30 days of a proper invoice, and the contractor must pay subcontractors within 10 days after receiving payment.

Punch list

A written list of incomplete or defective items compiled at substantial completion. Final payment and retainage release are normally conditioned on completing and closing the list.

Time and materials contract

A contract paying the contractor for actual labor hours and materials at agreed rates, usually plus a markup. It suits undefined or emergency work but gives the owner little cost certainty.

Final payment affidavit

A contractor's sworn statement, given to the owner before final payment, listing all subcontractors and suppliers and stating what remains unpaid on the Florida project.

Secondary water barrier

A self-adhering membrane or approved underlayment applied over the roof deck in Florida's wind-borne debris region to keep water out if the primary covering blows off.

Minimum slope for shingles

Asphalt shingles require a minimum slope of 2:12. Between 2:12 and 4:12, two layers of underlayment are required; at 4:12 and steeper, one layer is permitted.

Underlayment requirement

The Florida Building Code requires at least one layer of number 30 felt or an approved synthetic underlayment over wood roof decks beneath the primary roofing covering.

Fastener penetration

Roofing fasteners in wood decks must penetrate at least 3/4 inch into the framing or pass completely through the deck, and must be driven perpendicular to the surface.

Florida Product Approval

A state-issued number showing a roofing product has been evaluated for Florida wind, water, and code requirements. Installation must follow the approved evaluation exactly.

Standing seam metal roof

A metal roof with raised interlocking seams and concealed fasteners, commonly 24-gauge steel. Panels are attached with clips that allow thermal movement and resist wind uplift.

Modified bitumen membrane

A low-slope membrane of asphalt modified with SBS or APP polymers, applied in rolls by hot mopping, torch, or cold adhesive, often in two plies for redundancy.

Tile roof attachment

Concrete or clay tiles must be mechanically fastened to the deck with screws or ring-shank nails and set in tile adhesive, following the product approval for wind resistance.

Fall protection threshold

OSHA requires fall protection for employees working 6 feet or more above a lower level, including roof surfaces, using guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest.

Ladder 4-to-1 rule

Extension ladders are set one foot out from the wall for every four feet of height and must extend at least 3 feet above the roof edge, secured at the top.

Guardrail height

Standard guardrails have a top rail 42 inches above the walking surface, plus a midrail positioned halfway between the top rail and the floor.

Roof plan slope arrows

Roof plan arrows point downhill toward drains, eaves, or valleys, and the associated pitch label such as 4:12 gives the rise per 12 inches of run.

Drawing scale

A scale of 1/4 inch equals 1 foot means a quarter inch on the print represents 12 inches in the field. Verify by scaling a dimensioned feature.

Warning line system

A barrier of ropes, wires, or chains on stanchions at least 6 feet from the roof edge, permitting roofing work without conventional guardrails when combined with other safeguards.

Wind-borne debris region

Florida coastal and other designated areas where roof coverings, openings, and sheathing must meet enhanced wind and impact requirements, including a secondary water barrier.

Detail callout

A marked circle or bubble on a plan referencing a separate enlarged drawing by sheet and detail number, showing exactly how a specific roof component is built.