How to Choose a Roofing Contractor in East Texas: A 9-Point Checklist

Texas does not license roofing contractors at the state level, so the burden of vetting a roofer falls on you. Before you sign anything, confirm the company has a physical local office, current general liability and workers compensation insurance, a verifiable reputation (BBB, Google, the Good Contractors List), manufacturer certifications, a written scope with warranty terms, and its own crews. Walk away from anyone who knocks on your door after a storm, asks for a large cash deposit, or offers to “handle” your insurance deductible. The rest of this guide explains each check and how to do it in Tyler, Longview, Kilgore and the surrounding East Texas towns.

Why Choosing a Roofer in Texas Is Different

Many states license roofers. Texas does not. The Roofing Contractors Association of Texas states plainly that”the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) does NOT currently administer licensure for roofing contractors,” and RCAT’s own licensing program is voluntary. That means anyone with a truck and a ladder can call themselves a roofing company in Texas.

It also means the phrase “licensed roofer” needs a follow-up question: licensed by whom? In Texas, the honest answer is usually a local business registration plus voluntary programs. What actually protects you is insurance, reputation and a written contract. Those are the things to verify.

The 9-Point Roofing Contractor Checklist

1. Confirm a permanent local office

The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends that you”check for a permanent place of business” along with a phone number and tax identification number. A P.O. box or an out-of-town address is a warning sign, especially after a storm. Redline Roofing has offices in Tyler (2301 S Broadway Ave, Ste A8), Longview (911 W Loop 281, Ste 211-45) and Kilgore (100 N Kilgore St, Ste 2). Drive by. We are there.

2. Ask for certificates of insurance, not just a “yes”

Two policies matter: general liability (covers damage to your property) and workers compensation (covers a worker injured on your roof). NRCA advises homeowners to “ask for copies of the contractor’s liability insurance coverage and workers’ compensation certificates and make sure both are in effect through the duration of your job.” Call the insurance agent listed on the certificate to confirm it is current. A contractor without workers comp leaves you exposed if someone falls off your roof.

3. Check the BBB, Google and the Good Contractors List

The Better Business Bureau’s advice is direct:“Check BBB.org to see if your roofer is BBB Accredited. Check reviews and make sure the company is licensed and insured.” Read the negative reviews, not just the rating, and look at how the company responded. In East Texas, also check whether the contractor is on the Good Contractors List, which backs member work with a $25,000 guarantee. Redline Roofing holds an A+ BBB rating, a 5.0 Google rating, and is on the Good Contractors List.

4. Verify manufacturer certifications

Shingle and membrane manufacturers certify contractors who meet their installation and training standards, and many of the best system warranties are only available through certified installers. BBB recommends confirming that the roofer is certified by the roof system manufacturer. Redline Roofing is certified for Malarkey, Atlas, Mule Hide, Sika Sarnafil and MBCI panel systems.

5. Ask who is actually on the roof

Many roofing companies sell the job and subcontract the labor to whichever crew is available. That is where quality and accountability get lost. Ask directly: “Are the people installing my roof your employees or subcontractors?” Redline Roofing does not use subcontractors. Every crew is ours.

6. Get a written scope, not a one-line quote

NRCA recommends you “insist on a written proposal and look for complete descriptions of the work and specifications, as well as start and completion dates and payment procedures.” At minimum, the proposal should list tear-off, decking replacement allowance, underlayment type, ice-and-water shield locations, drip edge, flashing, ventilation, the exact shingle or panel product and color, cleanup, and both the manufacturer warranty and the workmanship warranty.

7. Read the warranty before you sign

Two warranties apply: the manufacturer’s (covers the product) and the contractor’s (covers the installation). NRCA advises homeowners to “carefully read the warranty and make sure you understand the provisions that will void it.” Ask how long the workmanship warranty lasts, whether it is transferable, and what happens if the company changes hands. Redline Roofing provides an in-house workmanship warranty in writing on every job.

8. Be careful with anyone who wants to “handle” your insurance claim

Storm claims are where most roofing problems in Texas start. The Texas Department of Insurance requires that”anyone acting as an insurance adjuster or a public insurance adjuster or advertising to adjust claims must hold the appropriate license issued by TDI.” A roofer can document damage, provide a scope and meet your adjuster on the roof. A roofer should not negotiate your claim for you, and a roofer who offers to waive or absorb your deductible is asking you to take part in insurance fraud. Ourinsurance claim assistance stays on the right side of that line.

9. Get more than one bid, but do not pick on price alone

NRCA’s advice: “Price is only one criterion for selecting a roofing contractor.” A bid that comes in far below the others usually means thinner underlayment, skipped flashing, reused vents, or a crew that is not insured. Compare scopes line by line, and ask the low bidder what was left out.

Red Flags After a Storm

East Texas hail season brings out-of-town crews every spring. BBB warns that”roofing scams often occur after a storm when a roofer ‘just happens’ to be on your street and notices damage to your roof.” Watch for:

• Door-to-door solicitation right after a storm, especially with out-of-state plates
• Pressure to sign a contingency agreement on the spot
• Offers to cover, waive or “eat” your deductible
• Requests for a large cash deposit before materials are delivered
• No local office address, or a phone number that only reaches a cell
• “Leftover materials from a job down the street” pricing
• Claims to be “licensed by the state of Texas,” which does not exist for roofing

We wrote more about this inlocal roofing companies vs. storm chasers.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Roofe

1. Where is your office, and how long have you been in business here?
2. Can I see current certificates of general liability and workers compensation insurance?
3. Are the installers your employees or subcontractors?
4. Which manufacturers have certified you, and what warranties can you offer through them?
5. What exactly is in the scope: underlayment, ice-and-water, drip edge, flashing, ventilation, decking allowance?
6. How long is your workmanship warranty, and is it in writing?
7. Who is my point of contact during the job, and will they be on site?
8. How do you handle cleanup and nail sweeps?
9. Can you give me three references from jobs in my area in the last year?

For a longer list of questions to ask when you are comparing local roofers, see our post onsearching for roofers near me. This checklist is meant to sit alongside that post and the storm chaser guide, not repeat them.

How Redline Roofing Answers Those Questions

We think a good roofing company should be easy to check. Redline Roofing is family owned and has roofed East Texas homes and businesses for more than 20 years, with more than 1,000 roofs completed. We are licensed, bonded and insured, with general liability and workers compensation on every crew, and we provide certificates on request. We hold an A+ BBB rating, a 5.0 Google rating, and Good Contractors List membership with its $25,000 guarantee. We are certified for Malarkey, Atlas, Mule Hide, Sika Sarnafil and MBCI. We do not use subcontractors, and we back every job with an in-house workmanship warranty. You can read more about the company on ourAbout page.

Every job also starts the same way: afree roof inspection with a written report and photos, so you can see what we saw before you decide anything.

Choosing a Roofer FAQs

Does Texas license roofing contractors?

No. There is no state roofing license in Texas. RCAT runs a voluntary program. Verify insurance, reputation and a written contract instead.

What insurance should a roofing contractor have?

General liability and workers compensation, both current for the duration of your project. Ask for the certificates and call the agent to confirm.

Can a roofer negotiate my insurance claim?

Not in Texas. Adjusting claims requires a TDI license. A roofer can document damage and meet your adjuster, but cannot act as your public adjuster.

Is it a red flag if a roofer offers to waive my deductible?

Yes. It is a common storm-chaser tactic and it puts you at risk. Walk away.

How many roofing bids should I get?

Two or three is plenty. Compare the written scopes line by line rather than the bottom-line number.

Should I hire a roofer who uses subcontractors?

It is not automatically disqualifying, but you should know who is on your roof and who is responsible if something goes wrong. Ask directly.

Ready to Talk to a Roofer You Can Verify?

Redline Roofing is licensed, bonded and insured, with offices in Tyler, Longview and Kilgore and our own crews on every job. We are open seven days a week, 8 AM to 7 PM. Call (903) 437-7049 orschedule a free inspection online, and bring this checklist with you.