How to Choose a Roofer: A Texas Homeowner's Guide to Dodging Bad Contractors

Why Roofing Decisions Deserve More Than a Quick Search

When a leak drips onto your living room floor or a storm rips shingles off your roof, your first instinct is to find someone fast. I have seen homeowners in Austin make that call in a panic, only to regret it for years. Choosing a roofer is not something you want to rush. The stakes are high, your roof is one of the most expensive parts of your home, and a bad installation can lead to thousands in damage, mold, and structural issues. Over the past decade of inspecting roofs and working with contractors around Texas, I have learned that the real skill is not just spotting a good roofer but knowing how to spot a bad one before you hand over a dime.

The roofing industry in Texas is full of honest, skilled local roofing contractors. But it also attracts storm chasers, unlicensed handymen, and outright scammers. They know you are vulnerable after a storm, and they know you probably do not know what questions to ask. I want to give you a practical field guide on how to choose a roofer, built from real conversations with roofers, inspectors, and homeowners who learned the hard way.

Step One: Understand the Licensing Landscape in Texas

Texas does not require a statewide roofing license for all contractors, but many cities and counties do. In Austin, for example, a roofer must hold a valid license from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation if they perform work that involves structural changes or electrical work. For simple roof repairs, the rules are looser, but you still want to verify that the person you hire has a proper roofing license where required. Do not take their word for it. Ask for their license number and check it against the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation database online. It takes two minutes. If they cannot produce one, or if their license has expired, that is a red flag you should not ignore.

Even if your area does not require a license, look for a roofer who holds one anyway. It shows they take their business seriously and have passed a basic competency exam. A licensed roofer is also more likely to carry the insurance you need to protect yourself.

Step Two: Insurance Is Non-Negotiable

I cannot stress this enough: never hire a roofer who cannot show you proof of both liability insurance and workers' compensation. Liability insurance covers damage to your property if the roofer accidentally drops a bundle of shingles through your skylight or backs a truck into your garage. Workers' compensation covers medical bills if a worker falls off your roof. Without it, you could be sued for their injuries or left paying out of pocket for property damage.

Ask to see the certificate of insurance. Call the insurance company to verify it is active. Some dishonest roofers will show you an old policy or one that belongs to someone else. A legitimate local roofing contractor will have no problem providing this. If they hesitate or say "I have a bond instead," be careful. A bond is not the same as insurance and does not cover injuries or property damage the same way.

Step Three: Check Their Track Record with the BBB and Online Reviews

The Better Business Bureau is not perfect, but it is a useful tool. Look up the company on the BBB website. See how long they have been in business and whether they have a pattern of unresolved complaints. Pair that with online reviews on Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau's own platform. But read the reviews critically. A few bad reviews are normal in any trade. What you are looking for is consistency. Do multiple reviews mention the same problem, shoddy work, missed deadlines, refusal to fix mistakes? That is a pattern.

Also, look at how the roofer responds to negative reviews. A professional who engages politely and offers to make things right is different from one who attacks the reviewer or ignores the complaint entirely. That tells you a lot about how they will handle problems on your job.

Step Four: Watch for the Red Flags of Storm Chasers

Storm chasers are contractors who follow severe weather, knock on doors, offer a low price, and demand a large down payment before they start. They may give you a roofing estimate on the spot without ever climbing onto your roof. They often work without a local address, use out-of-state license plates, and pressure you to sign a contract immediately. I have seen them in Austin after every hailstorm. They do good work sometimes, but they are gone as soon as the money is collected, which means your warranty and any follow-up repairs are worthless.

A reputable roofer will not pressure you. They will provide a written roofing estimate, give you time to think, and ask for no more than a reasonable material deposit, typically 10 to 20 percent. If someone asks for half the total upfront, walk away.

Step Five: Ask About Permits and Inspections

Many roofing jobs require a roofing permit from your local building department. In Austin, for example, any re-roofing or major repair that changes the structure or covering of the roof usually needs a permit. A good roofer will pull the permit themselves and include the cost in their estimate. They will also schedule the required inspections. If a roofer says you do not need a permit, or worse, suggests you pull the permit yourself to save money, that is a major warning sign. Permits exist to ensure the work meets building codes and safety standards. Skipping them can void your homeowner's insurance and cause problems when you sell the house.

Step Six: Understand Warranties, the Manufacturer vs. the Workmanship

Two types of warranties matter on a roofing job. The manufacturer warranty covers defects in the roofing materials themselves. That is usually provided by the shingle or metal panel maker and is only valid if the roofer is a certified installer. The workmanship warranty covers the quality of the installation and is offered by the roofer directly. A standard workmanship warranty in Texas is around two to five years. Some top-tier local roofing contractors offer ten years or more.

Do not confuse the two. A roofer who says "the manufacturer gives a 30-year warranty" is telling the truth, but that warranty will not cover leaks caused by poor installation. Ask specifically: "What is your workmanship warranty, and can I see it in writing?" If they cannot put it in writing, consider it a verbal promise that will disappear when they do.

Step Seven: Verify They Use Their Own Crew, Not Subcontractors You Never Met

Many roofing companies use subcontractors to do the actual work. That is not automatically bad, some excellent subcontractors exist. But you need to know who will be on your roof. Ask the roofer directly: "Do you employ your own crew, or do you hire subcontractors?" If they use subcontractors, ask for the subcontractor's license and insurance information. The subcontractor should also carry their own liability insurance and workers' compensation. Otherwise, if a subcontractor's worker gets injured on your property, the liability could fall on you.

I once inspected a roof in Austin where the homeowner hired a company that looked legitimate. The crew that showed up was a different group every day, none of them had hard hats, and the tools looked like they came from a pawn shop. That job failed inspection three times. The homeowner ended up paying twice, once to the original company and once to a real crew to fix it.

Step Eight: Do Your Own 15-Minute Background Check

Here is a practical routine you can do for any Texas roofer before you sign anything. First, search the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation database for their license. Second, look them up on the Better Business Bureau and check for complaints. Third, search their company name plus the word "complaint" or "lawsuit" online. Fourth, verify their insurance by calling the agent listed on the certificate. Fifth, drive by a recent job of theirs if you can, or ask for addresses of past jobs and drive by to see the quality. That 15 minutes could save you thousands.

The Bottom Line on How to Choose a Roofer

At the end of the day, knowing how to choose a roofer comes down to doing a little homework before you commit. The honest contractors do not mind your questions. They expect them. They know their workmanship warranty is solid, their workers are covered, and their license is current. The ones who get defensive or try to rush you are the ones you want to avoid.

I have seen too many homeowners in Texas skip these steps and end up with a roof that leaks, a lien on their house from unpaid material deposits, or a crew that disappeared after a storm. Do not be that person. Take the time, ask the hard questions, and trust your gut. A good roofer will respect you for it.

One more thing, never pay the full amount upfront. A reasonable down payment or material deposit is fine, but tie the final payment to completion and a final inspection. That gives you leverage if something goes wrong. And if you are dealing with temporary repairs after a storm, treat them the same way. Even a temporary fix should be done by someone who is licensed, insured, and willing to stand behind their work. Otherwise, you might end up paying for the same repair twice.