How to choose a roofer in Texas

By Cyril Cross, Roofing Guides Editor · Updated September 2026

Why Texas is different

Most states license roofing contractors. Texas does not: the state licensing agency does not administer a roofing license, and the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas puts it bluntly, anyone can call themselves a roofer here. RCAT runs a voluntary licensing program with exams and insurance requirements, and some cities have their own registration rules for pulling permits.

So the absence of a license means nothing either way. What you check instead is below.

Five things to check

• A local address you can drive to, and a phone that is answered. Storm crews from other states leave when the storms do.
• A certificate of general liability insurance, sent from the insurer or agent, not a photocopy. Ask about workers' compensation too; Texas lets employers opt out, which moves injury risk toward you.
• A written scope that names the shingle line, underlayment, drip edge, ice and water shield, flashing, ventilation and a per-sheet decking price.
• The permit. In Dallas, full replacements need a re-roof permit, and it should be pulled by the contractor doing the work.
• A contract that says who pays for what if the job uncovers rot, and that never offers to waive or cover your deductible.

Reading an estimate

Put the estimates side by side and compare the lines, not the totals. The low bid usually wins by leaving things out: reused flashing, no drip edge, felt instead of synthetic underlayment, no ice and water shield in the valleys, or a decking allowance of zero that turns into a change order on day one.

A complete scope for a Dallas replacement is listed on our roof replacement page; you can use it as a checklist against any bid, including ours. The cost guide gives the planning ranges.

Red flags

• An offer to pay or waive your deductible. It is illegal in Texas and it means the numbers are being padded somewhere.
• Pressure to sign on the first visit, especially a form described as permission to inspect.
• A large deposit before materials arrive.
• No permit, or a suggestion that you pull it yourself.
• A price far below the others with no explanation of what is different.

After a big storm these appear on every street at once. Our after-hail guide covers how to handle the first few days.

What a good roofing contract says

The contract is where a roofer's promises become enforceable, so it should be specific. Look for the scope written as line items, the materials by product name, the start window and expected duration, the payment schedule tied to milestones rather than a large deposit, and a clear statement of how hidden damage such as rotten decking is priced.

It should say who pulls the permit, who is responsible for cleanup and nail sweeping, and what warranty applies: the manufacturer's on the materials and the contractor's on the workmanship, each with its term written down. If the job is insurance-funded, it should say that the price follows the approved scope plus agreed supplements, and it should never mention covering your deductible.

Read it before anyone climbs your ladder. A roofer who is comfortable with plain terms on paper is usually comfortable with them on the roof.

Questions to ask on the first call

Where is your office? Who will be on my roof, your crew or someone you hire for the day? Will you pull the permit? What happens if you find rotten decking? Will you meet my adjuster on the roof? Can I have your insurance certificate sent from your agent?

A roofer who answers those plainly on the phone will usually run the job the same way.