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Specialty Contracting · Last reviewed 2026-05-26

Roofers — find a local pro, plus pricing & licensing

Leak repairs, full replacements, gutter work, storm damage — protect what's over your head. Below: a plain-English guide to costs in 2026, what to ask before hiring, state-by-state licensing, and the towns where roofers are already listed on Great Local Pros.

roof inspectionleak repairfull replacementgutter installstorm damageskylight installice dam removalmetal roofing

What roofers actually do

The most common services roofers are hired for, with typical residential price ranges in 2026.

Roof inspection

$200-$500 for a thorough inspection; often free if quoting a repair or replacement.

Leak repair (localized)

$400-$2,500 depending on access and cause.

Full replacement (asphalt shingles)

$8,000-$22,000 for typical 1,500-2,500 sq ft home.

Metal roofing

$14,000-$35,000+ installed.

Gutter install / repair

$10-$25 per linear foot for new gutters; repair $200-$800.

Skylight install

$1,500-$4,000 per skylight installed including flashing.

Roof coating (flat / low-slope)

$1,500-$5,000 for typical flat-roof coating.

Storm-damage inspection

Free from most roofers; documentation supports insurance claim.

Tear-off and replace decking

Adds $500-$3,000 to a roof replacement if rot is found.

Ice & water shield

Code-required in cold-climate states at eaves; $400-$1,000 for typical home.

What does a roofer cost in 2026?

National median ranges for the most common residential jobs. Your local pricing will vary by region, season, and access — always get a written quote.

JobTypical price rangeNotes
Roof inspection$200 – $500Often free with quote.
Localized leak repair$400 – $2,500Varies widely by access.
Asphalt full replacement$8,000 – $22,000$5 – $11 per sq ft installed.
Metal roofing$14,000 – $35,000Standing-seam premium.
Gutters (new install)$1,200 – $4,500$10 – $25 per linear foot.
Skylight install$1,500 – $4,000VELUX standard sizes most affordable.
Storm-damage claim workinsurance paysVerify roofer doesn't waive deductible (illegal in most states).

Ranges sourced from public industry surveys, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics OES wage data, and homeowner-cost aggregators. Last reviewed 2026-05-26.

Is your roofer licensed? State-by-state lookup.

Roofers are state-licensed in most U.S. jurisdictions. Below is the official licensing body for each state plus a direct link to the public license-lookup tool. Always verify before any major project — it takes two minutes and is the single best fraud-prevention step a homeowner can take.

StateLicensing statusIssuing bodyVerify
AlabamaState-licensed for jobs >$50,000 residentialAlabama Licensing Board for General ContractorsVerify →
AlaskaState-registeredAlaska Dept of Commerce — Construction ContractorsVerify →
ArizonaState-licensed (ROC)Arizona Registrar of ContractorsVerify →
ArkansasState-licensed for jobs >$2,000Arkansas Contractors Licensing BoardVerify →
CaliforniaState-licensed (CSLB B)California Contractors State License BoardVerify →
ColoradoLocal permit (no statewide license)Municipal — varies by jurisdictionVerify →
ConnecticutState home-improvement registrationCT Department of Consumer ProtectionVerify →
DelawareState business licenseDelaware Division of RevenueVerify →
FloridaState-certified or registeredFlorida Construction Industry Licensing BoardVerify →
GeorgiaState-licensed (>$2,500)Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General ContractorsVerify →
IdahoState-registeredIdaho Contractors BoardVerify →
IllinoisRoofing requires state license; general varies by jurisdictionIllinois Department of Financial and Professional RegulationVerify →
IndianaMunicipal — variesMunicipal — variesVerify →
IowaState-registeredIowa Division of Labor — Contractor RegistrationVerify →
KansasMunicipal — variesMunicipal — variesVerify →
KentuckyMunicipal — variesMunicipal — variesVerify →
LouisianaState-licensed (>$50,000 residential / >$10,000 commercial)Louisiana State Licensing Board for ContractorsVerify →
MaineNo statewide general licenseMunicipal — variesVerify →
MarylandState home-improvement license (MHIC)Maryland Home Improvement CommissionVerify →
MassachusettsState-registered (HIC)MA Office of Consumer Affairs — Home Improvement Contractor RegistrationVerify →
MichiganState-licensed (Residential Builder)Michigan Residential Builders BoardVerify →
MinnesotaState-licensed (Residential Building Contractor)Minnesota Department of Labor and IndustryVerify →
MississippiState-licensed (residential >$50,000)Mississippi State Board of ContractorsVerify →
MissouriMunicipal — variesMunicipal — variesVerify →
MontanaState-registered (Construction Contractor Registration)Montana Department of Labor and IndustryVerify →
NebraskaState-registered (Contractor Registration Act)Nebraska Department of LaborVerify →
NevadaState-licensed (NSCB)Nevada State Contractors BoardVerify →
New HampshireNo statewide general licenseMunicipal — variesVerify →
New JerseyState Home Improvement Contractor registration (HIC)NJ Division of Consumer AffairsVerify →
New MexicoState-licensed (CID)New Mexico Construction Industries DivisionVerify →
New YorkCounty / municipal home-improvement licenseCounty / municipal — Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, NYC each have boardsVerify →
North CarolinaState-licensed (>$30,000)NC Licensing Board for General ContractorsVerify →
North DakotaState contractor license (>$4,000)ND Secretary of State — Contractor LicensingVerify →
OhioMunicipal — variesMunicipal — variesVerify →
OklahomaMunicipal — variesMunicipal — variesVerify →
PennsylvaniaState Home Improvement Contractor registration (HIC, >$5,000)PA Office of Attorney GeneralVerify →
Rhode IslandState-registered (Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board)RI Contractors' Registration and Licensing BoardVerify →
South CarolinaState-licensed (Residential >$5,000)SC Residential Builders CommissionVerify →
South DakotaNo statewide general licenseMunicipal — variesVerify →
TennesseeState-licensed (>$25,000)TN Board for Licensing ContractorsVerify →
TexasNo statewide general licenseMunicipal — variesVerify →
UtahState-licensed (DOPL)Utah DOPLVerify →
VermontResidential contractor state registration (RCR)Vermont Office of Professional RegulationVerify →
VirginiaState-licensed (Class A/B/C, ≥$1,000)Virginia Board for ContractorsVerify →
WashingtonState-registered (Contractor Registration)WA Department of Labor and IndustriesVerify →
West VirginiaState-licensed (Contractor Licensing Board)WV Contractor Licensing BoardVerify →
WisconsinState Dwelling Contractor certificationWisconsin DSPSVerify →
WyomingMunicipal — variesMunicipal — variesVerify →

Information sourced from each state's public licensing agency. Always confirm on the state's official .gov site before hiring. Last reviewed 2026-05-26.

Questions to ask a roofer before you hire

Bring this list with you on the call or to the on-site estimate. A reputable pro answers every one of these without hesitation.

  1. Are you state-licensed for roofing? May I see the license number and verify it on the state board?
  2. Do you carry both general-liability and workers' comp insurance? May I see current certificates?
  3. What's the manufacturer warranty on the shingles, and what's your labor warranty?
  4. Will you pull the permit?
  5. What happens if you find rotted decking during the tear-off — how is the change order handled?
  6. Will you provide a written contract before work starts, with payment schedule?
  7. What's the deposit amount? (10-30% is industry standard; more is a red flag.)
  8. If this is storm-damage work — are you waiving my deductible? (Illegal in most states.)

Want the full checklist plus 25 more questions covering 29 trades? Download the free 58-page consumer guide (PDF) — no email required.

Red flags: common scam patterns in the roofers trade

A short list of warning signs we compiled from public Better Business Bureau complaint patterns and state attorney general consumer-protection bulletins.

  • Door-to-door pitches after storms — the canonical 'storm chaser' scam.
  • Promised insurance-deductible waiver (illegal in most U.S. states).
  • Requests for 50%+ deposit before work begins.
  • No physical local business address (often out-of-state shells).
  • Unlicensed contractor doing licensed roofing work.
  • Pressure tactics around limited-time pricing.
  • Claims of damage you can't see — request photos and a second opinion.
  • Cash-only with no contract or receipt.

If you experience contractor fraud, report it to your state attorney general's consumer-protection office and file a complaint with the licensing board. The FTC also tracks these under reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Why use Great Local Pros to find roofers?

Hyper-local match

We list roofers by the towns they actually serve — not a 60-mile zip-code radius like the national lead-gen platforms.

Zero per-lead fees

Roofers on this site aren't paying $30 to $120 per click to reach you. That cost isn't built into their quote.

Independent local shops

Most roofers here are 1 to 5 person businesses based in your town, not national chains routing work to subcontractors.

Built for small towns

Angi, Thumbtack, and HomeAdvisor optimize for big metros. We optimize for the 13,700+ towns under 60,000 population.

Run a roofers business?

Most towns on Great Local Pros don't have anyone listed yet for roofers. Claim your spot and be the first name local searchers find.

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Before you hire — Roofers

Five questions to ask any Roofers pro — and 53 more pages of advice.

This guide includes a full page on hiring Roofers: the right questions, the warranties to insist on, what's a fair price, and the red flags that mean keep looking. Plus 56 more pages covering 28 other local trades.

Every Roofers listing on this site is paired with the guide so you can hire with confidence.

  • 25-question master list to bring on every call
  • 20 red flags that mean walk away (one page)
  • One full page on each of the 29 trades
  • What's fair to pay — by trade and by region
  • What to do if the job goes wrong (with court-ready steps)
A free book from your neighbors at
How to Find a Local Pro Who Won't Let You Down
The plain-language guide to hiring the right plumber, electrician, dog walker, tutor — and 26 other small-town trades.
58 pages · 29 trades · First edition · 2026

Frequently asked questions about hiring roofers

How much does a new roof cost in 2026?
An asphalt-shingle full replacement on a typical 1,500-2,500 sq ft home in 2026 runs $8,000-$22,000, or roughly $5-$11 per installed square foot including tear-off, underlayment, shingles, and ridge. Metal roofing runs $14,000-$35,000+. Always get 2-3 written quotes for major roof work.
How long should a roof last?
Architectural asphalt shingles in the U.S. typically last 20-30 years (manufacturer warranty 30-50, real-world lifespan often shorter). Metal roofing lasts 40-70 years. Tile and slate can last 50-100+. Lifespan varies dramatically with regional climate — hot/sunny climates shorten asphalt life by 5-10 years.
What is a 'storm chaser' and why do roofers warn about them?
After major hail or wind events, out-of-area roofing companies aggressively canvass affected neighborhoods, often offering 'free inspections' and 'we'll handle your insurance claim.' Many take deposits and disappear, do substandard work, or illegally waive deductibles to inflate claims. Stick with state-licensed local roofers you can verify.
Should I file a homeowner's insurance claim for hail damage?
Get an independent inspection first — preferably from a roofer who isn't going to do the work (or from a public adjuster). Filing a claim that's then denied or barely above your deductible can affect your future insurance rates without benefiting you. If the damage is real and significant, file.
How do I verify my roofer's license?
Most U.S. states require roofing contractors to hold a state license. Check your state's licensing board (linked from this site's state pages) for free public verification. Confirm the license is current, the trade scope includes roofing, and the contractor has no active complaints or disciplinary history.
What's a fair roofing deposit?
10-30% is industry standard. Larger deposits are a major red flag. Pay by check or credit card (cards offer dispute protection); avoid cash.
Should I get GAF, CertainTeed, or Owens Corning shingles?
All three are top-tier residential shingle manufacturers with 30-50 year warranty offerings. The installation quality matters more than the brand — a top brand installed poorly leaks faster than a midtier brand installed correctly. Pick the installer first; pick the shingle second.
Is metal roofing worth the cost?
In long-time-horizon ownership, often yes. Metal roofing typically lasts 2-3x as long as asphalt, performs better in extreme heat and high wind, and qualifies for some insurance discounts. Initial cost is 1.5-2x asphalt; payback is usually 15-25 years.
Free guide (PDF)