Texas is one of the few states that does not license residential roofers. There is no state board, no exam, no continuing education requirement. Anyone can print business cards and quote roofs tomorrow. That regulatory gap is why Houston is a magnet for storm-chasing out-of-state crews after every major hail event, and why the vendor due diligence falls entirely on the homeowner. These twelve questions, asked in writing before signing anything, separate the contractors who will be in Houston in 5 years from the ones who will not be reachable in 6 months.
- Is the cheapest quote a red flag?
- Often, yes. Quotes that come in 20+ percent below market typically skip line items (synthetic underlayment, ice-and-water shield, code-required ventilation) or use subcontracted labor with no workmanship warranty.
- What about door-knockers after a storm?
- Most are out-of-state storm chasers. They will be gone before your supplement claim closes. Always verify a permanent Houston address and minimum 5 years of operating history.
- Does the BBB rating matter?
- Less than you think. A clean BBB rating with 20+ verified reviews is meaningful; an A+ with 2 reviews on a 6-month-old business is not.
- Should I pay any deposit?
- A reasonable material deposit (20 to 30 percent) is normal once permit is pulled. Anything over 50 percent before work starts is a red flag.
01 // 'Are you licensed?' (trick question in Texas)
Texas does not license residential roofers, so the literal answer is "no one in Texas is licensed." The right follow-up is "are you a member of RCAT (Roofing Contractors Association of Texas) and do you hold the voluntary state RCAT certification?" RCAT-certified contractors have passed a written exam and a code knowledge test, carry minimum insurance, and agree to a code of ethics. The certification is voluntary, which makes its presence a strong positive signal.
02 // Verify general liability AND workers' comp
Texas does not require contractors to carry workers' compensation insurance. If a crew member is injured on your roof and the contractor has no workers' comp, the injured worker can sue the homeowner. Ask for current certificates of insurance (COIs) for both general liability ($1M minimum) and workers' compensation, emailed directly from the insurance broker, not forwarded by the contractor. The COI is dated and lists you as the certificate holder.
03 // Manufacturer certification status
The top asphalt shingle manufacturers (GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed) certify a small percentage of installing contractors at multiple tiers. GAF's top tier is Master Elite (top 2 percent of US roofers). Owens Corning's top tier is Platinum Preferred. These certifications require minimum years in business, insurance coverage, and a clean complaint history with the manufacturer. They also unlock extended workmanship and material warranties that are not available through non-certified installers.
04 // Permanent Houston address
A physical office you can drive to. Not a UPS Store mailbox, not a residential address, not a cell phone-only operation. Verify on Google Maps street view that the address shows a real commercial location. Storm-chasers operate from hotels and rented offices and disappear when the storm money dries up; permanent Houston contractors do not.
05 // Minimum 5 years operating history at the same name
Texas Secretary of State business records (free at sos.state.tx.us) show when an LLC or corporation was registered. Five years filters out most fly-by-night operations and most storm-chaser shell companies. A contractor that has rebranded three times in five years is a red flag.
06 // Workmanship warranty length and what it covers
Manufacturer warranties cover the shingle material. Workmanship warranties cover the install. Reputable Houston contractors offer 10 years on workmanship. The strongest offer lifetime workmanship coverage. A 2-year workmanship warranty on a $20,000 roof is not adequate; the most common install failures (improper nailing, missed flashing, unsealed penetrations) appear in years 3 to 7.
07 // In-house crew or subcontracted labor
"In-house" means the contractor's W-2 employees are on your roof. "Subcontracted" means the contractor sold you the job and a 1099 day-labor crew does the install. Subcontracted work is not inherently bad, but it is harder to enforce quality and the workmanship warranty often does not transfer if the sub disappears. Ask directly and get the answer in writing.
08 // Permits, inspections, and code compliance
Most jurisdictions inside Greater Houston require a residential reroof permit. The City of Houston, City of Pearland, City of Sugar Land, and unincorporated Harris County all have specific requirements. A contractor that quotes "no permit needed" or offers to "skip the permit to save you money" is exposing you to code violations at resale and voiding any workmanship warranty.
09 // Three local references from the last 12 months
Not testimonials on the website. Actual phone numbers of three Houston homeowners with completed jobs in the last year, ideally in your zip code. Call them. Ask: did the crew show up when promised, was the cleanup thorough, did anything go wrong, and how was it handled? Two minutes per call, three calls, and you will know more than you can learn from any website.
10 // Itemized written contract before any deposit
A real roofing contract specifies the shingle brand and model, underlayment brand and type, ice-and-water shield coverage area, drip edge gauge, ventilation specification, pipe boot type, total square footage, permit responsibility, dump fee inclusion, payment schedule, start window, completion window, workmanship warranty length, and dispute resolution venue. "We install GAF on your roof for $18,000" is not a contract, it is a sales pitch.
11 // Reasonable payment schedule
Standard Houston payment schedules look like: nothing at signing, 20 to 30 percent material deposit when permit pulls and materials are scheduled, balance on completion after final inspection. Avoid anyone asking for 50+ percent upfront or full payment before work starts. Never pay cash; use a check, credit card, or financing through a verified lender so there is a paper trail.
12 // Insurance claim experience (if applicable)
If your job is an insurance claim, ask how the contractor handles supplements. Texas adjusters routinely underscope the initial estimate by 15 to 40 percent. A reputable contractor will write a supplement, document with photos, and negotiate with the carrier on your behalf at no extra charge. A contractor who tells you "whatever the adjuster pays is what we will do" is leaving real damage unrepaired.
