Get Quotes from Top Roofing Contractors in El Paso, TX

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofing Contractor in El Paso

While roofs like slate and copper are generally made to last as long as seventy years, the droughtiness of El Paso's weather can see such roofs degrading faster than usual. Also, poor initial installation and damage from birds and rodents activities can also reduce the lifespan of roofs and necessitate the need for a roofing contractor. In any case, it is very important to ensure that the roofing contractor you hire is qualified for the task at hand. To guarantee that they are, always ask the following question of your roofing contractor.

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Roofing Contractor in El Paso?

It is essential to make sure you pick a professional who has the necessary license to perform roofing work when looking for a roofing contractor in El Paso. This is especially important in order to avoid breaking the law. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation does not currently issue roofing contractor licenses because such licenses are not legally necessary for roofing work in Texas. However, roofing license applications in El Paso are handled by the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT), a state-wide trade organization that certifies roofers' expertise and professionalism. Application to the RCAT is strictly voluntary.

The Roofing Contractor Association of Texas does not license businesses or companies; only individuals are granted licenses. However, to be eligible for a license, candidates must own, operate, or manage a roofing business that is physically based in El Paso and has been in business for at least three years. The applicant must also meet all conditions on the application form and submit a duly filled out, signed, and notarized application together with the applicable fees. Last but not least, in order to be licensed, candidates must pass both the basic business and safety knowledge exam and the residential or commercial roofing exam with a score of at least 70 percent.

Since the government does not issue licenses for roofers, there are no legal repercussions for doing business without one. However, using an RCAT-certified roofer who has demonstrated their capacity to do a quality roofing job will help allay your worries and prevent risky or expensive mistakes since inappropriate roofing completed by unqualified roofers can result in damage costs of thousands of dollars. Use the advanced search feature on the Roofing Contractor Association of Texas website to see if your roofer is a certified member. Call the RCAT at (512) 251-7690 or (800) 997-6631 for more information about El Paso's roofing licensing requirements.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Roofers in the City?

The size of your house, the complexity of the roofing project, and the kind of roofing material chosen for the job all significantly impact how much it will cost overall. However, by requesting bids or quotes from at least three different roofing contractors in the city, you can get a good idea of the average cost of your roofing project. Watch out for bids or quotes that stand out significantly from the rest when you receive them because this is typically a sign that the contractor is not being honest with you.

Roofers in El Paso earn an average wage of $32,050 annually. The average hourly wages of roofers in El Paso and those of roofers in other areas of Texas, as well as other major cities in the country, are compared below:

El Paso Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$15.41
Houston Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$19.78
Dallas Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$19.92
Austin Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$19.85
San Antonio Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$19.41
Fort Worth Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$19.92
Los Angeles Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$29.11
Washington D.C. Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$25.52
Phoenix Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$23.41
Chicago Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$31.74
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Will You Get the Roofing Permits Required as per the El Paso Building Code?

El Paso requires homeowners or their roofing contractors to obtain permits from the Department of Planning and Inspections Building Permit Division before embarking on any roofing project in the city. To get a re-roofing permit with structural changes to the roof framing, applicants must have two complete hard copy plan sets and must submit a Building Permit Application, the complete address of the property, and the dimensioned scale drawings of the proposed roof framing. For Re-roofing Permit that does not involve making structural changes to the roof framing, the applicant must submit a building permit application along with the property's full address.

In El Paso, there is a One-Stop Shop that simplifies the permitting assistance processes. The One-Stop Shop serves as the main point of contact for the majority of applications for building permits. All building and over-the-counter construction permits must be paid at this location. During the design, review, and inspection phases of the development process, representatives from the Planning and Inspections Department and other City departments involved in the process are available at information counters to answer queries and provide guidance and assistance. For more information about roofing permits in the city of El Paso, contact the Building Permit Division at (915) 212-0085. You can reach the One-Stop Shop at (915) 212-0104, via email or by visiting their office at:

One Stop Shop
811 Texas Avenue
El Paso, TX 79901

What Kind of Roofing Services Do You Offer?

Always ensure that any roofer you hire has the skills and equipment necessary to work on the specific type of roofing system you have and perform the services you need. Buildings in El Paso use various roofing systems, each with unique characteristics that necessitate a certain level of expertise and specialized equipment on the roofer's part to ensure proper service delivery. Asphalt shingles, metal roofs, clay roofs, and slate roofs are a few examples of typical roofing materials in El Paso.

While some roofing contractors in El Paso may stick to offering services in specific fields, such as roofing repair, roofing replacement and installations, roofing maintenance and waterproofing, and roofing remodeling, other roofing contractors in El Paso focus on working on a particular kind of roofing. Before making any hiring decisions, make sure to ask what kinds of services they offer. This will help you avoid any misunderstandings later on and ensure that you hire the right professional for the job.

The rough estimates of a few roofing services that El Paso property owners frequently need are listed below. These costs may vary depending on your location within the city and the roofing contractor you choose:

Estimates based on task:

Asphalt shingle roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$144.64 - $235.04
Flat roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$117.52 - $194.36
Slate roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$655.40 - $1,627.20
Tile roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$678.00 - $1,084.80
Wood shake roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$474.60 - $623.76
Metal roof painting (per 100 square feet)
$673.48 - $881.40
Roof cleaning (per visit, for a typical two-story house)
$306.02 - $398.66
Roof heating cable installation (per linear foot of eave)
$28.93 - $34.35
Roof inspection (per visit, for a two-story home with a typical roofline)
$158.20 - $271.20
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Estimates based on roof pitch (per square feet):

Flat roof replacement
$2.30 - $5.60
Low-slope roof replacement
$2.30 - $5.60
Conventional slope roof replacement
$1.30 - $7.10
Steep slope roof replacement
$3 - $9.90
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Estimates for roof repair/replacement based on roofing material (per square feet):

Asphalt shingle
$1.50 - $5
Vinyl (PVC)
$1.80 - $6
Plastic
$1.60 - $6
Bitumen
$2 - $7
Concrete Tile
$2 - $20
Metal
$2 - $30
Rubber
$3 - $12
Architectural shingles
$5 - $14
Cedar
$6 - $12
Composite
$6 - $14
Clay
$7 - $21
Green
$7 - $34
Solar
$9 - $23
Slate
$11 - $21
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Estimates for roof repair/replacement based on shape (per square feet):

Gable
$1.50 - $7
Hipped
$1.70 - $7
Dutch
$1.70 - $7
Butterfly
$1.70 - $7
Dormer
$2.50 - $9.50
Flat
$2.50 - $6.50
A-Frame
$3 - $29
Mansard
$6.50 - $21
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Roofing Companies in El Paso?

Roofing contractors run the risk of several workplace dangers, including dangerous falls from great heights. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, 96 of the 608 workplace injuries reported in El Paso and other Texan cities in 2019 involved falls, slips, and trips. Therefore, it is safer to engage only fully insured licensed roofing contractors.

For your sake, always confirm that your intended roofer has adequate insurance coverage to prevent legal and financial consequences that may arise from any on-the-job accidents or other unfavorable circumstances that may occur during your project.

El Paso roofing contractors who wish to hold a residential license must satisfy all general RCAT prerequisites, including having combined single-limit general liability insurance coverage totaling $300,000. In the same vein, holders of commercial licenses must also satisfy insurance requirements, albeit to higher standards. Commercial roofers must maintain $500,000 in combined single-limit general liability insurance. Alternatively, residential and commercial license holders can provide a $100,000 contractor's surety bond.

For more information on insurance requirements for roofers in Houston, contact the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas at:

RCAT
6080 South Hulen Street,
Suite 360
PMB 396,
Fort Worth, TX 76132
Phone: (512) 251-7690, (800) 997-6631

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Roofer in El Paso

Your decision to hire a reputable and skilled contractor to finish your roofing project in El Paso will significantly impact how well it turns out. In El Paso, con artists, and dishonest contractors prey on homeowners by requesting full payment in advance, offering low bids and discounted repair offers, exaggerating the extent of damage, or purposefully completing subpar work. Local news outlet ABC 7 reported in May 2022 that a court in El Paso had issued an arrest warrant for the man who was charged with using deceptive business tactics.

In one instance, the man who ran a roofing business was accused of using another man's electronic signature without his consent to obtain a $100,000 loan for a work contract. Before hiring any roofing contractor in El Paso, you should always follow these steps to avoid becoming a victim of a roofing scam:

  • Don't Rush Into It: Some dishonest roofers may try to prey on your anxiety after a storm or natural disaster by insisting that work must be done immediately. Instead, take your time, enquire about their insurance and local references, confirm the validity of their roofing license, and check with the Better Business Bureau and the National Roofing Contractors Association to see if any complaints have been made about them.
  • Avoid Door-to-Door Sales Pitches: Although legitimate contractors are capable of doing so, they don't do it as frequently as scammers. These con artists will probably claim that they have extra materials from earlier jobs and that purchasing them will save you money. Avoid contractors who knock on doors; they are frequently dishonest and unlicensed, looking to take advantage of desperate homeowners. You should never let a stranger on your roof or agree to a contract based solely on a pitch from a salesperson.
  • Upfront Costs: Roofing contractors who demand payment in full in advance should be avoided. For most roofing projects that exceed $1,000, consumers cannot be required to make a deposit of more than one-third of the project price in advance, except for orders of custom-made materials. Pay no more than 10% of the total price upfront to be on the safer side.
  • Demand Permits: Any building permits required by your city or town should be obtained by your registered roofing contractor. You reduce your ability to recover if something goes wrong if you pull the permits yourself. Verify these permits with the Department of Planning and Inspections before giving the go-ahead for the commencement of your project.

To report a roofing scam in the City of El Paso, please contact the Office of the Attorney General of Texas at (800) 621-0508 or (210) 225-4191, or file an online complaint.