Texas Licensing and Compliance Requirements for Roofing Contractors

Texas does not require a state roofing contractor license — it is the only state with this distinction. However, many municipalities require local permits and inspections, and some counties (including parts of the DFW metro and Houston) have registration requirements for storm chasers following hail events.

While the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT) offers voluntary certification, it is not legally required. RCAT membership and certification do signal professionalism and can improve your ability to win insurance restoration jobs.

Texas workers’ compensation is not mandatory for most private employers — Texas is a non-subscriber state. However, non-subscribers who experience a workplace injury lose the common law defenses (contributory negligence, assumption of risk, fellow servant rule) and can face uncapped negligence liability. Most roofing contractors working on commercial or government projects are contractually required to carry WC by the property owner or GC.

General liability coverage is the single most important policy for Texas roofers. Insurance restoration work — which represents a significant portion of the Texas market — requires proof of insurance for every job, and most insurance adjusters will not authorize a repair without a current COI from the contractor.

Roofing-Specific Risks in Texas

Hail and Storm Volume

Texas leads the nation in hail claims, with the DFW metroplex being the most hail-impacted major metro in North America. High volume creates both opportunity and risk — crews rush jobs, material quality varies, and completed operations claims pile up when fast-tracked repairs fail during the next storm.

Insurance Restoration Fraud and SB 2 Compliance

Texas SB 2 (effective September 1, 2019) prohibits contractors from waiving insurance deductibles. Violations can result in criminal charges. Roofing contractors engaged in insurance restoration must understand the law to avoid putting their business at legal risk.

Heat and Summer Safety Exposure

Texas summer temperatures create serious heat illness risk for crews. OSHA’s heat illness standards and Texas DSHS guidelines apply. A worker hospitalized for heat stroke generates a workers’ comp claim (if you carry WC) or an uncapped negligence suit (if you’re a non-subscriber).

Storm Chaser Competition and Material Liability

After major hail events, out-of-state contractors flood Texas markets. Competition pushes some contractors to use cheaper materials. If you install substandard shingles and they fail, the completed operations claim is yours — even if the material failure was the manufacturer’s fault. Document all material specs.

Coverage Every Texas Roofing Contractor Needs

Coverage	Why It Matters in Texas	Typical Limit
General Liability	Required for every insurance restoration job and most commercial roofing contracts.	$1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate
Workers’ Compensation	Not legally required in TX, but provides complete protection and is demanded by many GCs and public projects.	Statutory or elective policy
Commercial Auto	Texas roofing crews travel long distances. Commercial auto covers trucks, trailers, and material hauls.	$1M CSL
Tools & Equipment	Nail guns, compressors, lifts — equipment theft is common in Texas after storm events.	Blanket up to $50K
Completed Operations	Storm restoration work carries multi-year warranty obligations. Completed ops protects you.	Included in GL; multi-year recommended

What Roofing Insurance Costs in Texas

Business Size	Annual Premium Range	Key Cost Drivers
Solo roofer	$2,800–$5,200/yr	High-risk trade in high-hail state; GL rates reflect this
2–5 employees	$6,500–$13,000/yr	WC elective but adds significant protection-to-cost value
6–10 employees	$14,000–$26,000/yr	Fleet and WC payroll drive cost in commercial roofing

Estimates based on industry data. Your rate depends on payroll, revenue, claims history, and specific coverage limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Resources

• Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT)
• Texas Department of Insurance — Workers’ Comp Non-Subscriber Info
• Texas SB 2 — Insurance Deductible Waiver Prohibition