Get Quotes from Top Roofing Contractors in Austin, TX
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofing Contractor in Austin
A roof's lifespan depends on the type of material it's made of - asphalt shingles usually last up to 20 years, while metal roofs usually last up to 100 years. However, factors like poor quality, improper installation, and weather impacts can affect the lifespan of your roof. To get the best possible roofing services, it is best to hire a licensed and experienced roofing contractor in Austin. These roofing professionals have the skills and knowledge to address any issues with your roof and ensure that the roofing services offered will be per the Austin Building Code. To confirm if the intended roofing contractor is suitable for the job, you can ask the following questions:
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Roofing Contractor in Austin?
- How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Roofers in the City?
- Will You Get the Roofing Permits Required as per the Austin Building Code?
- What Kind of Roofing Services Do You Offer?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Roofing Companies in Austin?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Roofer in Austin
Are You Licensed to Practice as a Roofing Contractor in Austin?
Although there are no regulations regarding the licensing of roofers in Austin, those working on projects that require permits in the city must first register as general contractors. That is, before a roofing contractor can carry out any roofing services that require a permit in the city, they must first register as a general contractor with the Austin Development Services Department. If a contractor fails to register as a general agent with the city before starting a renovation or home improvement project, they can face criminal and civil penalties as may be determined by the city.
To register as a general contractor, an applicant must first register with the Austin Department of Planning to obtain an Austin Build + Connect Identification number, which is required to complete the registration process with the city's Development Services Department. After that, the applicant can fill out and submit a letter of authorization to the Development Services Department.
To learn more about the registration process of general contractors in Austin, contact the city's Development Services Department at (512) 978-4000. Likewise, you can confirm if your intended roofer has been registered as a general contractor by contacting the department at (512) 974-9760 or by visiting their office at:
City of Austin Permitting and Development Center6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive
Austin, TX 78752.
How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Roofers in the City?
Before you hire a contractor for your home's roof services, it is important that you have a clear understanding of the cost of the work. This will allow you to avoid misunderstandings with the contractor down the line. How much your roofing services in Austin will cost you depends on several factors, such as:
- The type of work and materials to be used
- Locality within Austin
- Size of the roofing area
- The extent of the roof damage
- Labor intensity that will be required
As such, you can get and compare multiple estimates from roofing contractors in the area. Doing so will allow you to identify the most competitive prices and avoid getting ripped off. One of the most vital factors that you should consider when comparing is the price variance that the contractors provide. Be wary of roofers with extremely low prices. This is usually a red flag that such a roofer may be fraudulent.
Roofers in Austin earn an average wage of $41,280 annually. The average hourly wages of roofers in Austin and those of roofers in other areas of Texas, as well as other major cities in the country, are compared below:
Will You Get the Roofing Permits Required as per the Austin Building Code?
Before starting a roofing project in Austin, you must determine if the work requires a permit. Per the Austin Building Code, a building permit is required for projects involving construction, alteration, repair, or erection of structures or buildings. The Austin Development Services Department, through its Permitting and Development Center, issues building permits to interested applicants.
The permit a roofing contractor will apply for depends on whether the intended roofing services will be carried out on a commercial or residential structure. The applicant will fill out a Residential New Construction and Addition Permit Application form when applying for a residential building permit. Meanwhile, if applying for a commercial building permit, the applicant will fill out a Commercial Building Application Form. Irrespective of the project type, the applicant must accompany the permit form with construction documents, as well as the site plans showing the scale and location of the construction site and if there is an existing structure on the site.
These documents should be submitted through the Austin Build + Connect portal provided by the city's Development Services Department. The department will review all submitted documents and approve the building permits if the application is successful. Note that the roofing contractor must schedule an inspection with the Building Inspections Division of the Austin Development Services Department. The building inspection officials will inspect your project once it is complete to ensure it has complied with the city's Building Codes.
You can contact the city's Development Services Department at (512) 978-4000 for more information regarding the permitting requirements and procedures. Similarly, contact the Building Inspections Division of the Development Services Department for any questions regarding the inspection process via email.
What Kind of Roofing Services Do You Offer?
When choosing a local roofing contractor for your roof project in Austin, it is important that the roofer possess the necessary expertise and skills to provide the best possible service. Most professional contractors in the city are well-equipped to handle various types of roof materials, such as asphalt, tile, metal, slate, and wood. They can also provide various services such as:
- Roof maintenance
- Roof restorations
- Roof inspections
- Damaged roof repairs
- Roof leakage repairs
Before hiring a local roofing contractor for your project, you must confirm that the roofer specializes in the specific roofing services you require. In addition, confirm whether they possess the necessary skills and experience to provide the necessary roofing services.
Before completing the hiring process, ensure you confirm and agree to the contract terms, especially the roofing services cost. Below is a list of cost estimates for common roof services by homeowners in Austin. These are mainly based on the job type, the project scope, and the contractor's reputation. It should be noted that the exact costs of these services will vary depending on various factors, such as the project's location, the quality of the work, and the reputation of the contractor.
Estimates based on task
Estimates based on roof pitch (per square feet)
Estimates for roof repair/replacement based on roofing material (per square feet)
Estimates for roof repair/replacement based on shape (per square feet)
Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Roofing Companies in Austin?
In 2020, over 460 work-related fatalities were recorded in Texas. Most of the injuries were attributed to injuries suffered by the construction, repair, maintenance, and roofing industry. These individuals are often exposed to hazards such as burns, cuts, and falls from heights.
Roofing contractors in Austin are not statutorily required to have general liability insurance coverages. Nonetheless, hiring a roofing contractor with this insurance type is still important. As such, before hiring a roofing contractor in the city, ensure they have the necessary insurance coverage. Doing so will allow you to avoid being held liable for any damages and injuries that might occur during their work on your property. Ensure you also contact the issuing insurance provider to verify if the insurance policy is active and if the coverage will be enough.
How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Roofer in Austin
You can file a complaint against a bad contractor in Austin with the Travis County Attorney's Office and the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Texas Attorney General.
Fraudulent home improvement and repair activities like roofing services scams are common in Austin. The Texas Attorney General's Office always warns consumers to look out for potential con artists posing as legitimate contractors, especially after a disaster. In September 2020, a television news report by channel KVUE revealed that a contractor in Austin was investigated after it was reported that he had allegedly accepted thousands of dollars in payments from customers without delivering the promised services.
Due to the rise in fraudulent home improvement and repair activities in Austin, it is essential that consumers thoroughly research their intended roofing contractors before deciding to hire them. They can only look out for the following signs:
- High-pressure sales tactics
- Reluctant to provide credible references
- Downplays the importance of a written contract
- Requests for full payment or large advance payments upfront
- Unsolicited door-to-door services.
To avoid getting ripped off by roofing contractors in Austin, follow these precautionary steps:
- Utilize reputable websites like the Better Business Bureau and the National Roofing Contractors Association's Member Directory to find local and licensed roofing contractors in Austin.
- Avoid hiring an unsolicited contractor even if your roof has been damaged by a storm, heavy downpour, or any other disaster. Instead, contact your insurance company to find out if there are licensed and insured roofing contractors near you.
- Always confirm your intended roofer's insurance status
- Avoid making large advance payments to a contractor over $1,000 or 10% of the project's total cost.
- Make sure to confirm that the Austin Development Services Department has registered the roofer you intend to hire. You can also call the department at (512) 974-9760 to confirm their registration status.
- Ensure that the contractor provides a written contract that clearly states the project's scope and the work's various details. It should also include a description of the work and the materials to be used.
- Never hire a contractor who requests full payment upfront.
- Make sure the project is completed to your satisfaction before making any final payments.
- Avoid hiring the first roofing contractor that you see. It is always important to compare the rates of multiple contractors before making a decision.
You can file complaints against bad roofing contractors in Austin with the Travis County Attorney's Office by visiting the office at:
314 West 11th StreetRoom 300
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 854-9415
You can also file complaints against roofing contractors in Austin with the Texas Office of the Attorney General. You can report these issues online, via phone number (800) 621-0508, or by mailing a pdf consumer complaint form to:
Office of the Attorney GeneralConsumer Protection Division
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548
These agencies do not guarantee monetary compensation for the damages you claim, and they may refer the matter to other enforcement or regulatory authorities for further investigation and action. If you are still not satisfied with the results of their investigation, you can also file a lawsuit against the bad roofing contractor through the relevant Travis County Court. Before you institute a lawsuit, you should get proper legal advice from an attorney. You can use the Austin Bar Association's find a lawyer platform to find licensed attorneys near you.
Table of Contents
- Are You Licensed to Practice as a Roofing Contractor in Austin?
- How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Roofers in the City?
- Will You Get the Roofing Permits Required as per the Austin Building Code?
- What Kind of Roofing Services Do You Offer?
- Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Roofing Companies in Austin?
- How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Roofer in Austin