Why Texas Doesn’t Require a Roofing License (And What It Means for Homeowners)
By
Reese Arrington
When it comes to roofing, Texas stands out as one of the few states that does not require a roofing license. This lack of regulation makes it easy for anyone to start a roofing company, but it also means homeowners must take extra precautions when choosing a contractor. With North Texas leading the U.S. in hail damage, this issue is particularly important for homeowners in Dallas, Fort Worth, and surrounding cities.
Why Roofing is Largely Unregulated in Texas
In Texas, contractors can start a roofing business without passing licensing exams or meeting strict state requirements. While this reduces barriers to entry for small businesses, it also leads to higher failure rates among roofing companies.
According to industry data, 96% of roofing companies fail within the first 5 years due to poor workmanship, lack of experience, and unsustainable pricing strategies. Without licensing, homeowners have limited recourse if a contractor delivers subpar work or disappears after the project.
The Role of Insurance Companies
One major reason Texas lacks roofing license requirements is pressure from the insurance industry. Insurers rely on third-party estimating software like Xactimate to set roof repair prices based on local data. If stricter regulations and licensing were introduced, average costs would rise—forcing insurance companies to pay more in claims.
The current cycle looks like this:
A hailstorm hits.
New roofing companies start up and bid low to win jobs.
Poor workmanship leads to warranty issues and dissatisfied customers.
Many of these low-bid companies close, leaving homeowners without support.
If prices rise by just 5%, insurance companies could face hundreds of millions more in payouts each year.
Labor Challenges in the Texas Roofing Industry
Another obstacle is the labor market. Much of Texas’s roofing workforce is undocumented, and stricter regulation would require work visas and additional compliance, reducing the labor pool. As a result, the roofing industry leans toward minimal oversight to keep costs lower.
Homeowners, therefore, need to perform due diligence when hiring contractors. Choosing the cheapest bid without verifying experience, insurance, and reviews often leads to costly repairs later.
The Future of Roofing in Texas
At the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT) conference, industry leaders confirmed that regulation remains a hot topic. However, major changes don’t seem likely soon. Instead, homeowners should prepare for changes in insurance deductibles and premiums, which are steadily increasing.
In the next 5–10 years, Texas could see a shift from insurance-covered roofing projects to retail-paid roofing. Insurance companies are raising deductibles or encouraging homeowners to switch to ACV (Actual Cash Value) policies instead of RCV (Replacement Cost Value) policies, which could increase out-of-pocket costs for roof replacements.
How Homeowners Can Protect Themselves
Even without a Texas roofing license requirement, homeowners can safeguard their investment by:
Hiring established roofing companies with proven track records (like Arrington Roofing, serving Dallas–Fort Worth for over 40 years).
Checking for certifications, insurance, and warranties.
Avoiding contractors who offer deals that sound too good to be true.
Asking detailed questions about materials, timelines, and payment terms.
Why Choose Arrington Roofing?
With decades of experience, Arrington Roofing has built a reputation for quality workmanship, transparent pricing, and exceptional customer service. Our team specializes in roof replacements, roof repairs, attic ventilation, and storm damage restoration throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
