How to Choose a Roofing Contractor in Texas: Complete Homeowner Guide

After every major storm in Texas, roofing contractors flood neighborhoods looking for work. Some are legitimate professionals who will protect your home for decades. Others are fly-by-night operators who will take your money and leave you with a failing roof and no recourse.

Knowing how to tell the difference protects your largest investment. This guide covers everything Texas homeowners need to verify before signing a roofing contract--from licensing requirements to contract clauses that protect you.

Texas Roofing Contractor Licensing Requirements

Here's something that surprises many Texas homeowners: Texas does not require a statewide roofing license for residential projects. Unlike states like Florida or Louisiana, Texas has no mandatory state licensing for roofers working on single-family homes.

However, there are important exceptions and requirements you should know:

TDLR Registration for Larger Projects

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) does regulate contractors for projects over $50,000 and commercial work. These contractors must be registered and carry specific insurance minimums. You can verify TDLR registration at tdlr.texas.gov/verify.htm.

Local Requirements Matter

While Texas lacks statewide licensing, many cities and counties require contractor registration:

• Austin: Contractors must register with the city and pull permits for roofing work
• Houston: No city license required, but permits are mandatory
• San Antonio: Contractors must register through the Development Services Department
• Dallas: Roofing contractors must be registered to pull permits
• Fort Worth: Contractor registration required through Development Services

Always ask your potential contractor: "Are you registered to pull permits in this city?" A legitimate contractor will know the local requirements cold.

What This Means for You

Since Texas lacks mandatory licensing, the burden falls on you to vet contractors carefully. The absence of state licensing doesn't mean credentials don't matter--it means you need to verify other indicators of professionalism.

Insurance Verification: Non-Negotiable Protection

Insurance is where amateur operators get exposed. Every legitimate roofing contractor carries two essential policies:

General Liability Insurance

This protects your property if the contractor causes damage during the project--a crew member drops materials through your ceiling, a ladder scratches your siding, debris damages your landscaping. Look for minimum coverage of $1 million per occurrence.

Workers' Compensation Insurance

This is critical. If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor doesn't carry workers' comp, you could be held liable. Texas doesn't require all employers to carry workers' comp, but reputable roofing companies do because roofing is inherently dangerous work.

How to Verify Insurance

Don't just ask for a certificate--verify it:

1. Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) naming you as an "additional insured" for the project
2. Call the insurance company directly using the phone number on the certificate (not a number provided by the contractor)
3. Confirm the policy is active and covers the dates of your project
4. Verify coverage amounts meet minimums ($1M liability, workers' comp if applicable)

Any contractor who hesitates to provide insurance documentation is not someone you want on your roof.

Red Flags That Should Stop You Immediately

Years of experience in Texas roofing have taught us exactly what separates legitimate contractors from operators you should avoid. Here are the warning signs:

Large Upfront Payment Demands

A reputable contractor may request a materials deposit of 10-30%--especially for specialty products that must be ordered. But demands for 50% or more upfront are a major red flag. Too many homeowners have lost thousands to contractors who collected payment and never returned.

Cash-Only Operations

Contractors who only accept cash may be avoiding taxes, hiding from previous complaints, or planning to disappear. Legitimate businesses accept checks, credit cards, or financing options that create a paper trail.

No Physical Business Address

A PO Box is not a business address. Ask for the physical location of their office or warehouse. A contractor who can't provide this likely won't be around when warranty issues arise.

Pressure to Sign Immediately

"This price is only good today" is a manipulation tactic. Legitimate contractors understand that a roof is a major investment requiring careful consideration. If they're pressuring you, something is wrong.

No Written Estimate

Verbal quotes mean nothing. If a contractor won't provide a detailed written estimate, they're leaving room to add charges later or aren't confident in their pricing.

Willing to Skip Permits

Contractors who offer to "save you money" by skipping permits are putting your home at risk. Unpermitted work can void your insurance coverage, create problems when selling, and violate building codes that exist for safety.

Storm Chasers: The Texas Homeowner's Biggest Threat

After major storms hit Texas cities, a different kind of threat arrives: storm chasers. These are out-of-state operators who follow severe weather, canvassing neighborhoods and offering too-good-to-be-true deals.

How to Identify Storm Chasers

• Out-of-state license plates on work vehicles
• Unsolicited door knocking within days of a storm
• No local references--they can only point to work in other states
• Hotel addresses instead of permanent business locations
• Pressure to sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) before inspection
• Offers to pay your deductible--this is insurance fraud in Texas

Why Storm Chasers Are Dangerous

Storm chasers install quickly, collect payment, and move on to the next disaster zone. When problems appear--and they will--you have no recourse. They're not answering their phone in six months. They're not coming back to fix the leak. The "lifetime warranty" they promised is worthless because the company no longer exists or never did.

The Deductible Scam

A contractor who offers to "cover your deductible" or "work with you on the deductible" is proposing insurance fraud. In Texas, this can result in claims denial, policy cancellation, and criminal charges. Run from any contractor making this offer.

Getting Estimates: What to Expect and Demand

Quality roofing contractors provide detailed estimates after a thorough inspection. Here's what that process should look like:

The Inspection Process

A proper roof inspection includes:

• Walking the roof (if safely accessible) or using drones/binoculars for steep slopes
• Inspecting attic ventilation and looking for interior signs of damage
• Measuring all roof planes and calculating total square footage
• Documenting existing conditions with photos
• Identifying specific damage or wear patterns

Be wary of contractors who provide quotes without seeing your roof. Phone estimates are worthless--every roof is different.

What a Complete Estimate Includes

Demand a written estimate that specifies:

• Total project cost with line-item breakdown
• Exact materials--shingle brand, model, and color; underlayment type; flashing materials
• Scope of work--tear-off included? How many layers? Decking replacement if needed?
• Permit costs and who pulls them
• Timeline--start date and expected completion
• Warranty details--manufacturer warranty and workmanship warranty separately
• Payment schedule--when payments are due and amounts
• What's NOT included--unexpected decking repair, additional materials, etc.

Comparing Estimates

Get at least three estimates from different contractors. When comparing, don't just look at the bottom line--compare materials, warranties, and scope. The lowest price often means inferior materials or shortcuts in installation.

Checking References: Go Beyond the List

Every contractor provides references--they'll give you their happiest customers. Go further:

Questions to Ask References

• When was your roof installed? (You want to talk to customers from 2+ years ago, not last month)
• Were there any problems during installation? How were they handled?
• Have you needed warranty work? How responsive was the contractor?
• Did the final price match the estimate? Were there surprise charges?
• Would you hire them again?

Beyond the Reference List

Check online reviews on Google, Facebook, and the Better Business Bureau. Look for patterns in complaints--one bad review could be an outlier, but multiple complaints about the same issue (poor cleanup, warranty disputes, communication problems) reveal systemic problems.

Search the contractor's name with terms like "complaint," "lawsuit," or "BBB" to find issues they may not volunteer.

Verify Manufacturer Certifications

Top contractors earn manufacturer certifications that require demonstrated expertise and ongoing training:

• GAF Master Elite: Top 2% of roofers nationwide; allows extended warranty offers
• Owens Corning Platinum Preferred: Requires ongoing training and customer satisfaction monitoring
• CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster: Requires credential verification and installation training

These certifications are verifiable on manufacturer websites.

Contract Essentials: Protect Yourself in Writing

A roofing contract is a legal document. Read it completely before signing, and ensure it includes these protections:

Must-Have Contract Clauses

• Complete scope of work--everything promised in the estimate, in writing
• Material specifications--exact products, not "or equivalent"
• Start and completion dates--with provisions for weather delays
• Payment schedule--tied to milestones, not arbitrary dates
• Change order process--how additional work is approved and priced
• Warranty terms--both manufacturer and workmanship, with durations
• Permit responsibility--contractor should pull permits
• Lien waiver provisions--protects you from subcontractor liens
• Cleanup and disposal--who handles debris and how
• Insurance requirements--proof of current coverage

Red Flag Contract Terms

Watch out for and negotiate changes to:

• Mandatory arbitration clauses that waive your right to sue
• Blanket change order authorization without your approval
• Excessive cancellation penalties
• Vague material descriptions
• Missing warranty information

Texas Right to Cancel

Under Texas law, for contracts signed in your home (not at the contractor's place of business), you have three business days to cancel without penalty. The contract must include notice of this right. If it doesn't, the cancellation period extends until proper notice is given.

Our Recommendation: The Verification Checklist