Get Quotes from Top Roofing Contractors in San Antonio, TX

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofing Contractor in San Antonio

Even though the average lifespan of roofs is between 20 and 30 years, factors like poor installation, improper maintenance, animal damage, heavy rainfall, increased temperature, and other extreme local climate conditions can cause your roof to age faster. Any of these factors or a combination thereof may necessitate the need for a replacement or repair of your roof at any point in time. Whether you are looking to inspect, maintain, repair, or replace your roof, it is important that you always hire a licensed roofing contractor that has been trained to mitigate work-related roofing hazards to handle this task. Asking the following questions can help you ascertain if the roofing contractor that you intend to hire for your roofing project is suitably qualified for the job:

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Roofing Contractor in San Antonio?

According to Section 10-115 of the San Antonio Municipal Code, any individual who wishes to perform any residential construction or home improvement work within the city's jurisdiction must be registered with the San Antonio Development Services Department (DSD) before doing so. Violations of this registration law are considered Class C misdemeanor offenses, and offenders can receive penalties that include fines of up to $500 per violation. Note that this registration requirement does not apply to roofers that offer only commercial roofing services.

Roofers who wish to register with the DSD may do so under any of the following contractor categories:

  • Home Improvement Contractor: roofers that register as home improvement contractors can only perform non-structural roofing work on existing residential structures and detached accessory buildings that are not more than 400 square feet
  • Residential Building Contractor: roofers that register as residential building contractors can perform any roofing work on residential buildings and property, including new roof installations

Registrations can be done by completing and submitting either a Home Improvement Contractor Registration Application Form or a Residential Building Contractor Registration Application Form to the department at:

Cliff Morton Development and Business Services Center
1901 South Alamo Street
San Antonio, TX 78204
Phone: (210) 207-1111
Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mondays to Fridays

Note that registrants are typically required to complete the registration process in person. They will also have to meet certain other eligibility requirements, such as:

  • Undergoing an FBI national background check
  • Submitting a valid government-issued photo ID
  • Submitting proof of adequate liability insurance coverage
  • Paying all stipulated registration fees
  • Providing any additional relevant documentation that the DSD may request at the time of the registration

It is always in your best interest to confirm that any roofer you intend to hire in San Antonio has been appropriately registered with the city's Development Services Department. This gives you confidence in the quality of their services and provides you with an avenue for consumer mediation if they do not perform the job satisfactorily. You can verify your intended roofer's registration status by contacting the DSD at (210) 207-1111 or by utilizing its Contractor Search online platform.

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

When looking to undertake roofing projects in San Antonio, several factors will determine how much you will have to pay your preferred roofer. These factors include:

  • The size of your roof
  • The style and design of your roof
  • Your location within the city
  • The type of roofing materials you want to use for the project
  • The roofer's level of experience and local reputation
  • The intricacy and labor intensity of the project

You should consider getting and comparing rates or quotations from at least three different roofers in the city before making your final hiring decision to ensure that you are charged a reasonable fee for your roofing project. This is also a good way to spot unscrupulous roofers who scam unsuspecting consumers by fraudulently increasing their rates. Note that you should also be wary of rates or quotations much lower than the others and always inquire about the reason for any considerable price differences you notice.

Roofers in San Antonio earn an average wage of $40,380 annually. The average hourly wages of roofers in San Antonio and those of roofers in other areas of Texas, as well as other major cities in the country, are compared below:

San Antonio Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$19.41
Houston Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$19.78
Dallas Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$19.92
Austin Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$19.85
El Paso Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$15.41
Corpus Christi Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$17.68
New York City Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$27.87
Los Angeles Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$29.11
Chicago Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$31.74
Phoenix Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$23.41
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Will You Get the Roofing Permits Required as per the San Antonio Building Code?

Section 10-6 of the San Antonio Municipal Code stipulates that a permit must be obtained before the construction, repair, alteration, or modification of any building or structure within the city's jurisdiction. However, permit exemptions may be made for one-story detached accessories used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, or other similar purposes, provided that the floor area of the structure in question does not exceed 300 square feet.

Permits for roofing-related projects are issued by the city's Development Services Department (DSD), and they can be obtained by homeowners or city-registered contractors in person at the department's One-Stop Center located at:

Cliff Morton Development and Business Services Center
1901 South Alamo Street
San Antonio, TX 78204
Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mondays to Fridays

Applicants will be required to complete and submit a Re-Roof Permit Application Form to the department. Note that, depending on the nature and scope of the project, the submission of site plans and additional supporting documentation may be required. Permit applications can also be made to the DSD via its BuildSA online portal. However, parties that wish to make applications via this portal will be required to create a user account before they can do so. To this end, the DSD provides access to a customer resources webpage that interested parties can utilize to glean information on how to create accounts on its online permit portal and also on how to navigate this platform.

Once permit applications, along with all necessary supporting documentation, that have been submitted to the DSD are reviewed and subsequently approved, the requested roofing permits will be issued. Note that the payment of a permit fee is typically required before the issued permits can be obtained. The DSD is also authorized to conduct inspections of the permitted roofing project at various stages of the work being done to ensure that it complies with the city's building codes and regulations.

You can get more information on the San Antonio permitting and inspection requirements and procedures for roofing projects by contacting the DSD at the office location provided above or by calling (210) 207-1111. Inquiries can also be directed to this department online.

What Kind of Roofing Services Do You Offer?

Professional roofing contractors in San Antonio typically offer different types of roofing services, which are broadly grouped into the following categories:

  • New roof installation
  • Roof replacement
  • Roof repair and restoration
  • Roof maintenance

These services are usually provided over a wide variety of roofing styles and materials, the most common of which are asphalt shingles, metal roofing, slate roofing, concrete roofing, composite/synthetic roofing, and wood roofing. Nevertheless, you should always verify your preferred roofer's area of specialization and make sure that it aligns with the requirements for your roofing project. You should also confirm that the roofer has experience working with your specific roofing style and roofing material before hiring them. This guarantees that your roofing project is completed to your satisfaction and helps you avoid future misunderstandings with your roofers.

Cost estimates for common roofing services provided by professional roofing contractors in San Antonio are shown below. Note that the actual cost of these services will be determined by criteria such as the complexity of the job, the reputation of the roofer, and your location within the city:

Estimates based on task:

Asphalt shingle roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$149 - $242
Flat roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$121 - $200
Slate roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$675 - $1,677
Tile roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$699 - $1,118
Wood shake roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$489 - $643
Metal roof installation
$694 - $908
Metal roof painting (per 100 square feet)
$1.85 - $2.15
Roof cleaning (per visit, for a typical two-story house)
$315 - $411
Roof heating cable installation (per linear foot of eave)
$29 - $35
Roof inspection (per visit, for a two-story home with a typical roofline)
$163 - $279
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Estimates based on roof pitch (per square feet):

Flat roof replacement
$3 - $8
Low-slope roof replacement
$3 - $8
Conventional slope roof replacement
$3 - $10
Steep slope roof replacement
$3.50 - $15
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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

Asphalt shingle
$3 - $8
Vinyl (PVC)
$3 - $10
Plastic
$3 - $10
Bitumen
$3.50 - $12
Concrete Tile
$4 - $23
Metal
$4 - $30
Rubber
$5 - $15
Architectural shingles
$5 - $15
Cedar
$7 - $15
Composite
$8 - $20
Clay
$10 - $25
Green
$10 - $40
Solar
$10 - $30
Slate
$15 - $25
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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

Gable
$3 - $8.50
Hipped
$3 - $8.50
Dutch
$3 - $8.50
Butterfly
$3 - $8.50
Dormer
$3.50 - $10
Flat
$4 - $9
A-Frame
$5 - $30
Mansard
$6.50 - $25
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Roofing Companies in San Antonio?

More than 300 construction-related workers in the United States fall to their deaths annually, and a majority of these falls occur among roofers. Making sure that the roofing contractor you hire to handle your roofing project is appropriately insured protects you from financial and legal liabilities if any injuries, deaths, or property damage occurs as a direct result of this project.

Per the provisions of Section 10-115 of the San Antonio Municipal Code, roofers that wish to operate in San Antonio legally must maintain general liability insurance in the following amounts:

  • Roofers that register as home improvement contractors with the city's Development Services Department must carry coverage of at least $300,000 per occurrence or $600,000 aggregate for bodily injury and property damage and $300,000 aggregate for products and completed operations.
  • Roofers that register as residential building contractors with the city's Development Services Department must carry coverage of at least $500,000 per occurrence or $1,000,000 aggregate for bodily injury and property damage and $500,000 aggregate for products and completed operations.

You should always ascertain that your roofer has adhered to the city's insurance requirements for contractors by requesting a copy of their insurance certificate and authenticating it with the appropriate insurance provider. It is also a good idea to confirm that the roofer's coverage limits are adequate for the scope of your roofing project.

You can get additional information on the mandatory insurance requirements for San Antonio roofing contractors by contacting the city's Development Services Department at (210) 207-1111.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Roofer in San Antonio

The Texas Attorney General's Office is charged with protecting consumers in San Antonio from unfair and unscrupulous business practices, and you can file complaints concerning bad roofers in the city with this office.

In February 2020, KSAT 12 News reported that two roofing contractors who had been accused of defrauding homeowners in San Antonio and Bexar County out of up to $600,000 had been sentenced to 15 years in prison for these scams. Every year, the Texas Attorney General's Office handles more than 30,000 complaints from consumers in San Antonio and across the State of Texas concerning home improvement scams, consumer fraud, and other related matters. When searching for roofing contractors in San Antonio, the following red flags may indicate that you are dealing with a fraudulent roofer:

  • The roofer shows up at your home uninvited, especially after a disaster
  • The roofer offers to pay your insurance deductible and even offers you a free incentive for this
  • The roofer tries to pressure or scare you into making on-the-spot decisions
  • The roofer asks for a large advance payment or full payment upfront
  • The roofer is hesitant to offer you a written contract

The following tips can help protect you from becoming the victim of a roofing scam in the city:

  • Be wary of unsolicited roofers
  • Never rush into roof repairs after a disaster. Reach out to your insurance provider to find out if the repair will be covered and to also get recommendations on reputable roofers. You can also find reputable roofers in the city by asking close friends and family for referrals or via online sources like the Better Business Bureau, the San Antonio Development Services Department's Contractor Connect platform, and the National Roofing Contractors Association.
  • Always get and compare written rates or quotations from several roofers
  • Always ask for references and contact these references to get reviews on the roofer's services. Be wary of roofers that cannot provide you with up to three local verifiable references
  • Always confirm the registration status of your intended roofer before they begin any work, either online or by calling (210) 207-1111
  • Make sure that your roofer is properly insured.
  • Make sure that you are given a written contract that properly details the nature and cost of your roofing project before any work commences. Take your time to read and review this contract before signing it, and make sure that it does not include any ambiguous clauses or blank spaces that can be filled in later.
  • Never pay the total cost of your project upfront. Be wary of roofers who ask you to do this or request large advance payments before they commence any work. If you have to make advance payments, the amount should not exceed 10 – 30 percent of your project's total cost.
  • Avoid cash transactions
  • Always make sure that the project has been completed satisfactorily and per the terms of your contract before you make your final payment for the work done.

You can file complaints concerning roofing scams and other deceptive and fraudulent consumer-related business actions and practices that occur in San Antonio with the Consumer Protection Division of the Texas Attorney General's Office via an online consumer complaint form. Complaints can also be filed with this division by calling (800) 621-0508 or by completing and mailing a printable consumer complaint form to:

Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548

Complaints involving unsatisfactory services involving city-registered contractors can also be directed to the San Antonio Development Services Department at:

Cliff Morton Development and Business Services Center
1901 South Alamo Street
San Antonio, TX 78204
Phone: (210) 207-1111
Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mondays to Fridays

Finally, if you are dissatisfied with the outcome of these agencies' complaint resolution procedures, you can take further steps by filing a lawsuit against the roofer at an appropriate precinct of the Bexar County Justice of the Peace Courts. Note that you should always seek legal advice before taking any form of legal action. You can find and schedule consultations with licensed attorneys in the San Antonio area by utilizing the Lawyer Referral and Information Service provided by the State Bar of Texas.