The best roofers in Houston are not the ones with the biggest yard signs. They are the ones who can prove they are local, insured and honest about what your roof needs. Use the checklist below before you sign anything, especially after a hail storm or hurricane, when out-of-town crews knock on doors across the city. If you want a local roofing company to compare against, start with our Houston roofing team and a free inspection.

Why choosing a roofer is harder in Texas

Texas has no statewide license for roofing contractors. Anyone with a truck and a ladder can call themselves a roofer. The Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT) offers a voluntary license and testing program, which helps, but most homeowners still need to do their own checking.

Houston’s storm cycle makes it harder still. After a major hail storm or a hurricane like Beryl, roofing crews from other states arrive, sign contracts quickly, collect the first insurance check and move on. When a leak shows up a year later, there is no one to call.

The 10-point roofer checklist

1. A local address you can verify. Look it up on a map. A real office or yard in the Houston area means the company will still be here next storm season.
2. A local phone number that a person answers. Call it before you sign.
3. Proof of general liability insurance. Ask for the certificate and check the dates. If a worker damages your home or a neighbor’s car, this is what pays.
4. Workers’ compensation or occupational accident coverage. Texas does not require every employer to carry workers’ comp, so ask how injuries on your roof are covered.
5. RCAT licensing, if they have it. It is voluntary, but it shows the roofer took the time to be tested.
6. A written contract. It should list the materials by brand and product line, the scope of work, the permit, cleanup, payment schedule and warranty.
7. No deductible games. Texas law prohibits roofers from waiving, paying or rebating your insurance deductible. A roofer who offers is breaking the law and will likely cut corners elsewhere.
8. A permit when the work needs one. Inside the City of Houston, a re-roof or roofing overlay needs a Residential Roofing Permit. Separate cities like Bellaire and Jersey Village have their own offices. A roofer who says “we never pull permits” is a red flag.
9. Photos of your roof. A good roofer shows you the damage instead of just telling you about it.
10. Manufacturer warranty paperwork. Ask which manufacturer warranty applies to your new roof and whether it needs registration.

Questions to ask during the inspection

• Can I see photos of every problem you found?
• Is this a repair, or does the whole roof need replacing? Why?
• What underlayment and ventilation will you use?
• Will you replace rotten decking, and how is that priced?
• Who will be on my roof: your employees or a subcontractor crew?
• How will you protect my yard, driveway and landscaping?

Red flags to walk away from

• Door-knockers who show up right after a storm and push you to sign the same day
• Asking you to sign over your insurance benefits before you have read the contract
• Large cash deposits before any materials are delivered
• No street address, or an address that turns out to be a mailbox store
• Prices far below every other estimate, with no explanation of materials

How insurance claims change the decision

If hail or wind damaged your roof, your insurer’s adjuster decides what is covered. A good roofer documents the damage with photos and measurements and can meet the adjuster on your roof, but the claim is yours. Read our guide to roof insurance claim help before you file, and never let anyone pressure you into signing over control of the claim.

Comparing estimates fairly

Put two or three written estimates side by side. Check that each one lists the same things: shingle line or metal gauge, underlayment type, ventilation, drip edge, flashing, decking allowance, permit and cleanup. A cheap estimate often leaves some of those out. The right choice is usually the roofer whose estimate is complete and clear, not the one with the lowest number.

Ready for a free inspection?

We serve Houston neighborhoods like the Heights and Garden Oaks, and nearby cities including Cypress and Bellaire. Call (713) 847-1300 to schedule a free inspection with photos.