How to Choose a Roofing Contractor: A Guide

Check the contractor before you sign anything. Confirm a license with your state where one is required, ask for proof of liability and workers' compensation insurance, and confirm a permanent local address. Get more than one written estimate, never sign a contract with blank spaces, and do not pay in full up front. After a storm, be wary of door-to-door offers and anyone who offers to cover your insurance deductible, which is illegal in Texas and Florida.

Key facts

Roofing licensing depends on the state: Florida requires a state roofing contractor license, while Texas does not require a state-issued license for reroofing contractors.
The FTC says scammers often claim they don't need a license and ask to be paid for everything up front.
The FTC Cooling-Off Rule lets buyers cancel many sales made at home until midnight of the third business day, but it excludes sales needed to meet an emergency.
NAIC says homeowners are not required to sign an assignment of benefits to get repairs done, and can file a claim directly with their insurer.
The National Weather Service classifies a thunderstorm as severe when it produces hail one inch in diameter or larger, or wind gusts over 58 mph.
OSHA calls falls the leading cause of death in construction, with 389 fatal falls to a lower level out of 1,034 construction deaths in 2024.
Texas and Florida both bar contractors from offering to waive or rebate a homeowner's insurance deductible.

What should you verify before hiring a roofer?

Start with the basics that are easy to check. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), a trade group, tells homeowners to confirm a permanent place of business, a phone number, a tax identification number and a business license where required. It also says to ask for copies of the contractor's liability insurance and workers' compensation certificates and to make sure both stay in effect for the whole job.

Licensing is set by each state. Florida licenses roofing contractors through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and you can look a license up online. Texas has no state roofing license, so homeowners there rely on city permits, local contractor registration and their own checks. See our Florida and Texas pages for details.

The FTC suggests searching a contractor's name with words like "scam" or "complaint," checking with your state or county about licensing, and asking for proof of insurance. It also says not to automatically choose the lowest bidder. NRCA agrees, calling price only one criterion.

How do storm chasers and insurance-claim scams work?

Big storms bring contractors from out of town. NAIC, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, warns that contractors often come into disaster areas looking to make quick money. Texas regulators tell residents to be wary of out-of-town contractors going door to door, especially if they want a contract signed on the spot.

Common red flags named by state and federal agencies include:

Deductible offers. Texas made it illegal in 2019 for contractors to offer to waive a deductible or promise a rebate for it. Florida law bars contractors from offering a deductible waiver, gift or cash in exchange for a roof inspection or an insurance claim.
Signing away your claim. NAIC warns that once you sign an assignment of benefits, the rights and benefits of the policy go to that third party.
"Insurance proceeds" contracts. Texas regulators warn against signing a contract that says you agree to repairs for the value of the insurance proceeds.
Cash only, or money before materials arrive. The Texas Department of Insurance lists both as warning signs.
An estimate that is really a contract. TDI says to read any estimate carefully so you are not bound to a job you never agreed to.

What should a roofing contract include?

Get it in writing, even where your state doesn't require it. The FTC says a contract should include the contractor's details, start and completion dates, a payment schedule and any promises made out loud. It should have no blank spaces that someone could fill in later.

NRCA advises insisting on a written proposal with complete descriptions of the work and specifications. It also says to read the warranty and understand what would void it. The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) adds that the contract should cover materials, cleanup, schedule and terms for weather delays, and that the contractor should pull all required local permits.

On payment, the FTC suggests a reasonable down payment, paying by credit card or check, and holding the final payment until the work is done and you are satisfied. It also says not to sign an insurance check over to a contractor.

What should you do first after storm damage to your roof?

Document before you clean up. NAIC tells homeowners to take photos or video and list the damage before removing debris, to report the claim quickly because most insurers have reporting deadlines, and to keep receipts. Temporary repairs such as covering holes in a roof may be covered if your policy covers the loss.

Your insurer will send an adjuster to assess the damage. If you disagree with the result or the insurer is slow, NAIC says to contact your state insurance department.

Leave roof work to people equipped for it. OSHA calls falls the leading cause of death in construction. After Hurricane Milton in 2024, the National Weather Service recorded a death in Orange County, Florida, of a man who fell off his roof while cleaning storm debris.

Do you need a permit to replace a roof?

Often, yes, but the rules are local. Houston issues a residential roofing permit for a re-roof or overlay and requires an inspection. Dallas requires a re-roof permit when large areas or an entire roof are replaced. The City of Miami requires a permit for all roofing work. Austin, by contrast, exempts replacing asphalt shingles with asphalt shingles on one- and two-family homes, unless the property is in its wildfire code area.

Ask who will pull the permit. A permit means a city inspector will check the work, and it creates a record you may need when you sell. Florida's licensing agency lists missing permits among the problems that come with unlicensed contractors.

How to choose a provider

Verify the license with your state where one is required, and confirm the license type covers roofing.
Ask for current certificates of liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage.
Confirm a permanent local business address and phone number.
Get more than one written estimate and compare the scope, not just the price.
Read every page before signing. Refuse contracts with blank spaces or that promise work for whatever insurance pays.
Make sure the contract names materials, start and finish dates, cleanup, payment schedule and warranty terms.
Ask who pulls the permit and when the inspections happen.
Never let a contractor waive or rebate your deductible.
Hold the final payment until the job is done and has passed inspection.

Roofing guides by state and city

Questions people ask

How do I check whether a roofer is licensed?

It depends on your state. In Florida, search the contractor's name or license number on the DBPR license search at MyFloridaLicense.com. Texas has no state roofing license, so check with your city's building department about permits and any local contractor registration.

Can a roofer pay my insurance deductible?

Not in Texas or Florida. Texas made it illegal in 2019 for contractors to offer to waive a deductible or promise a rebate, and Florida bars deductible waivers offered in exchange for an inspection or claim. TDI's advice is simple: the deductible is your responsibility, so hire a different contractor.

Should I sign an assignment of benefits with a roofer?

NAIC says you are not required to sign one to get repairs done. Once signed, the rights and benefits of the policy go to the third party. In Florida, residential property policies issued on or after January 1, 2023 generally do not allow post-loss benefits to be assigned.

Can I cancel a roofing contract I signed at my door?

The FTC Cooling-Off Rule generally lets you cancel sales made at your home until midnight of the third business day. It does not cover sales needed to meet an emergency, or repairs you asked the seller to come do. Read the contract for any cancellation notice and check your state's rules.

How much should I pay up front?

The FTC says to negotiate a reasonable down payment and notes some states limit how much a contractor can request. Walk away from anyone who demands cash up front. Hold the final payment until the work is finished.

What size hail damages a roof?

The National Weather Service considers hail one inch or larger severe, and its Houston office notes hail can damage rooftops. Whether your roof was damaged is a question for an inspection and your insurance adjuster, not a door-to-door salesperson.

Is it safe to climb up and check my own roof after a storm?

Falls are the leading cause of death in construction, according to OSHA. Weather Service reports from Hurricane Milton include a homeowner who died after falling off a roof while cleaning debris. Photograph what you can from the ground and let equipped professionals go up.

Sources

This guide was written by our editorial team from the public sources listed above. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm licensing and terms directly with any provider.

How do you choose a roofing contractor you can trust?