Your neighborhoodcontractor
Advocate Roofing and Construction has worked across Northeast Florida since October 2020. We hold two state licenses, we train every quarter, and we hire out of the community we work in.
Why we workthe way we do
Our team is dedicated to being the best there is. As your neighborhood contractor, we want to provide the best solutions for your property. Whether it’s a small repair or a complicated replacement, we stay as educated as possible with our certified systems to keep our high standards on your project.
The home improvement industry is full of salespeople who are just looking to make a dollar. It doesn’t matter to those salespeople what the homeowner’s situation is, whether they’re in a tight spot or don’t know where to start, those types of people look at it as an opportunity to take advantage.
We take pride in putting homeowners first, and we treat everyone we meet like our neighbor. When we bring someone new onto our team we ask them about their values and what our promise to our clients means to them. We bring people in from our community who have served as teachers, police officers and more. They make a difference in our company and in our community.
Bryan Kinser founded the company in October 2020 and still runs point on the work.
Quality isn't justswinging a hammer
At Built by Advocate we believe that quality work isn’t just about swinging a hammer, laying shingles or hanging a door. As a Certified Building Contractor and Certified Roofing Contractor, we treat every project, from a roof replacement to a full exterior renovation, as a craft that requires constant learning and evolution to deliver the right solution.
That’s a big reason our team makes it a priority to participate in continuing education and training every quarter. Whether it’s new installation techniques, brushing up on safety protocols, or keeping up with the latest materials hitting the market, we put in the time to make sure we’re always improving.
As a homeowner, you might wonder why all this training matters. After all, isn’t a roof just a roof? The truth is, the building and roofing industries are always changing. Products evolve, building codes get updated, and manufacturers release new systems with specific installation requirements. We train with our suppliers and industry professionals regularly to make sure we’re doing things the right way, the first time.
Training thatmakes a difference
Every quarter, we select a dedicated training and attend hands-on workshops covering a wide range of topics.
TPO roofing installation
A popular system for flat commercial roofs, and one that requires precision. We train with the top suppliers to make sure our team is certified and confident installing and repairing these systems.
Shingle repair and replacement
While shingles are common in residential roofing, techniques and product lines vary. We stay up to date on best practices for installing and maintaining all major brands.
Metal roofing and flashing
Metal roofing continues to grow in popularity here in Florida. We focus on proper panel installation, trimming and fastening to prevent future issues like leaks or rusting.
Polyglass cold-apply systems
Specialty systems that require manufacturer-specific training. We work directly with Polyglass so our team installs their products the way they are meant to be installed.
OSHA safety training
Building and roofing is dangerous work. We invest in safety training not just to meet requirements but to protect our crew, our clients and your property.
CPR and first aid
We complete CPR and basic first aid training so we're prepared if something unexpected happens on a job site.
What we holdand what it actually means
Credentials are easy to imply and harder to evidence. Here is exactly what we hold, in the manufacturers’ own terms.
- State of Florida licences
- Certified Roofing Contractor CCC1335155 and Certified Building Contractor CBC1270530. Both are active and verifiable with the Florida DBPR.
- GAF Certified Plus Contractor
- GAF ID 1127950. Certified Plus contractors are authorised to offer the GAF Silver Pledge Limited Warranty and the GAF System Plus Limited Warranty on qualifying GAF roofing systems. GAF will confirm a contractor’s certification status by phone if you want to check it yourself.
- Polyglass Registered Contractor
- Registered contractor number 8557, which is what gives us access to Polyglass’s extended-term manufacturer warranties on low-slope and cold-apply systems, and the ability to register them directly.
- IBHS FORTIFIED training
- Our owner, Bryan Kinser, has completed the 2025 FORTIFIED Standard Roofing Contractor Exam with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, so we build to that standard when a homeowner wants it. To be precise about what that is and is not: it is an individual training credential, not a company certification, and a FORTIFIED designation on a home is awarded by an independent third-party evaluator, not by us. Why that matters for your insurance.
Why it mattersto you
Training isn’t something we do to hang a certificate on the wall. It directly impacts the quality of work we deliver. When you hire us, you’re getting a team that’s committed to staying sharp, informed and ahead of the curve.
That means fewer mistakes, better warranty coverage, safer work sites, and ultimately work that lasts longer and performs better.
Here in Jacksonville, where we see everything from heavy rains to hurricane winds, your roof and your entire home exterior take a beating. We want every project we touch to be built to hold up, and that starts with making sure our crew knows exactly what they’re doing.
Our commitmentto excellence
At the end of the day, we’re proud to be local, licensed contractors serving our Jacksonville community. Part of that pride comes from knowing we’re doing things the right way. That’s why we’re not just out here doing the work and keeping on as we always have. We’re always learning how to do it better.
Whether you’re a homeowner in need of a repair or a builder looking for a reliable roofing and building partner, know that when you choose Built by Advocate, you’re choosing a Certified Building Contractor and Certified Roofing Contractor that puts training and quality first.
If you’ve got questions about the systems we install or how we stay up to date, we’re happy to talk. We believe in transparency, and we believe that knowledge makes for the best project outcomes.
Who we work withand who we show up for
The relationships behind the work: the manufacturers whose systems we’re certified on, the suppliers we buy from, the organizations we belong to, and the causes we volunteer with.
Manufacturer certifications
Product lines and financing
The James Hardie logo is a registered trademark of James Hardie Technology Limited.
Organizations we belong to
Products we install
- GAF
- James Hardie
- Owens Corning
- VELUX Skylights
- Pella Windows
- Polyglass
Suppliers
- SRS Distribution
- ABC Supply
- Tri-County Metals
- Ford Sheet Metal
Awards
- Best in Jacksonville Roofing Company, Folio Jax 2024
Community impact
- Take Stock in Children
- Make-A-Wish
- Baptist Nassau Community Growth
- Builder's Care
We believe in making an impact in the communities where we work and live, and we volunteer with multiple organizations that share the same goal. We’re also members of NEFBA who take “members doing business with members” seriously, more about that on our Trusted Partners page.
About usquestions we get asked
We have been operating since October 2020 as Advocate Roofing and Construction, working across Northeast Florida the whole time. The Built by Advocate name is the customer-facing brand for that same company: the licences, the crews and the ownership have not changed.
Because the two are different licences and the difference decides what we are legally allowed to do. A Certified Roofing Contractor licence covers roofs. A Certified Building Contractor licence covers structural and full-exterior work: additions, detached structures, decks, screened enclosures. We hold both, which is why one company can take your project from the roof down to the driveway instead of handing you off partway through.
Every quarter we select a dedicated training and attend hands-on workshops. Topics rotate across TPO installation, shingle systems, metal roofing and flashing, Polyglass cold-apply systems, OSHA safety and CPR certification. Products evolve and building codes get updated, so the training is what keeps installation correct rather than merely familiar.
Yes. We are members of NEFBA, the Northeast Florida Builders Association, along with CREDA, FRSA, the Nassau County Builder's Council, Professional Women in Building, the Custom Builders and Remodelers Council and FCAS. Membership matters practically as well as symbolically: as NEFBA members who believe in "members doing business with members," we give priority to other members when we are looking for a subcontractor on a project.
We hire out of the community we work in, and we would rather hear from someone good than wait for a posting. There is a form at the bottom of this page. Tell us what you do and what you are looking for. We have brought people onto the team from all sorts of backgrounds, including teachers and police officers.
Join the teamWe hire out of our own community
When we bring someone new onto our team, we ask them about their values and what our promise to our clients means to them. We’ve brought people in who’ve served as teachers, police officers and more, people who make an impact.
If that sounds like you, tell us what you do and what you’re looking for. Only your name and phone number are required.
Got a project?Let's take a look at it
Call or text us and we'll come out, look at what you've got, and give you a written estimate with photos. Free, and there's no job too small.
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