It is important to note that in the United States, the regulation of the roofing trade is generally left up to individual states. In Virginia, for instance, roofers (and all businesses and individuals offering construction-related services) are required to obtain a contractor license, regardless of specialty.

Following are the basic things that roofers need to provide services legally and according to industry standards. At a minimum, you should judge roofers by these criteria.
General Business Permits and Licenses




Local business permits are generally acquired from the town or city hall. Some local governments may require zoning, planning, and safety inspection approvals, if the contractor operates their business from a location other than their home. There are also the tax registrations, sales permits, and business structure paperwork for partnerships, corporations, or limited liability companies to secure.

Furthermore, the roofing company needs to have taxpayer and employer identification numbers from the IRS for their employees.

Contracting Licenses

In most states, roofers can render services only if they are licensed. While the licensing procedures may vary from location to location, the core requirements are similar. Typically, states have a particular department or office that deals primarily with contractors and professionals who render their services to consumers. Some states may require applying for more than one license, depending on the type of roofing job/s they perform. It is a good idea that you check with your state’s requirements to ensure that a contractor is licensed to do the particular type of work you need done. Some may only be qualified to do repairs or installation of roofing materials, but not be qualified to build or repair the entire roof framing and system. Most if not all of the information that you need can be found published on your local government’s website as to the requirements they should have.

It will also help to remember that contractor licenses are renewed periodically and contractors may be required to acquire continuing education specific to their specialties. So check if your potential roofer has up to date credentials and training.

Other Important Qualifications

Aside from business and contractor licenses and permits, a legitimate contractor must have:

• Insurance – Business liability is a common requirement in all states, and some require worker’s compensation insurance. Roofing work is dangerous. Insurance is meant to help protect you, the company and the employees. For large jobs, surety bonding may also be needed.
• Third Party and Manufacturer Certifications – Continuing education, training, and manufacturer certifications all speak to the reliability and reputation of an experienced and skilled roofer. It is also important for roofing warranties, as only materials installed by roofers certified to install those products will be covered.
• There is a plethora of roofers out there, some better than others. However, ensuring that they have the required licenses, permits, and certifications will make the decision process easier. How can you know if they have these things? Ask them and ask for proof. You can also go to a site such as contractors-license.org, see what licenses are required, and find out if the contractor is licensed in your state.

  I hope this post has helped you learn about the basic things that you need to look for in the area of contractor’s legal requirements to take care of your roofing needs.

  About the Author: Cara Theiss is one of The Roofing and Remodeling Company’s ever-reliable administrative personnel. A big part of her job is interacting with clients and contractors, giving her a full view of the home improvement industry. She enjoys sharing her experiences and insights by writing blogs and guest posts.

Home design is constantly adapting not just to environmental factors, but also to the contemporary taste of both homeowners and designers alike. That means you’re no longer stuck with the same old triangle top roof. Here are some awesome roof profiles that I know could change your home from traditional to trendsetting.

Single Pitched Roof

Some time ago, you would see single-sloped roofs on small sheds or very large factories. However, the single pitched roof’s profile has become a popular option for more modern themed homes because of two things: form and function.  The simple slope roof is pleasant to look at, free from jagged angles that many contemporary home designers try to avoid. The simple design also has a few functional advantages, since it takes less time and effort to maintain. Also, rain and snow are directed towards only one side of the home, making it easier to manage water runoff.

Butterfly Roof

If you want to break free from traditional roof designs, might as well get the exact opposite! Take a gable roof, flip it upside down and you get a butterfly roof. Butterfly roofs were originally designed to capture water runoff so that it can be used for watering plants or flushing toilets. A roof that breaks tradition and an example of architectural innovation, not to mention helps in saving water; no wonder it’s such a hit.

Curved roofs

If you look at some of the latest vehicle and gadget designs, you’ll realize that curves are one of the biggest design trends today. Why not incorporate curves on your house using your roof? Curved roofs also add an organic feel to your home because of its lack of sharp angles. Of course, a curved roof is not just for show; the curved roof’s characteristic profile minimizes the amount of roof area directly exposed to sunlight, reducing the total amount of heat absorbed by the house.

Flat roof

Flat roofs were more popular on commercial buildings than residential ones in the past. Because every part of the flat roof is easy to access, repairing and maintenance is easier for people who’d rather be spending time on other things. With functionality also becoming one of the biggest trends in various industries, it’s not surprising that flat roofs have become a staple in the modern roofing industry.

Irregular roof designs

Modern home design is also big on individuality, and having a unique roofing profile that doesn’t fit into any particular model is as individualist as it can get! Getting an irregular roof profile approved may take some extra paperwork (to ensure that it still follows local building standards), but making your home stand out among the row of boring traditional houses on your street is worth all the trouble. With all my years working with traditional roof styles, the irregular type I find more challenging and interesting.

About the Author

Patricia Martin is a roof design consultant that works at Roofing by Curry, a leading roof services company in Florida. She studies common trends in modern architectural design, which covers both commercial and residential buildings. Patricia enjoys playing tennis or volleyball during her spare time.

For the best deals, try to schedule the installation of your new roof during the roofing industry’s slow seasons. Here’s more on this.

Fall

Fall is a busy time of year for roofing contractors. Cooler weather coincides with homeowners realizing that their roof (and most likely the rest of their home, too) isn’t quite ready for the upcoming winter. Unless you have already made arrangements, you’re likely to encounter a bit of a wait for your roof installation project. The abundance of work also means that roofing contractors generally don’t offer major discounts for their services.

Winter

Winter, by contrast, is a slow season for roofing. With roofers competing for winter contracts, you might be able to take advantage of lower rates ora considerable discount. Keep in mind that roofing is highly dependent on weather, and winter storms and high winds are likely to cause delays. Roofers will only tear off what they can replace of your roof for the day, so a run of consecutive bad days can affect your contractor’s ability to finish the job quickly.

If you are interested in having asphalt shingles installed, your roofer must take special precautions when working in cold temperatures. The cold makes shingles more brittle and prone to breakage, and the shingles will take longer to bond together. Freezing temperatures also create safety concerns for workers as the danger of slipping on ice is now added to the already dangerous occupation of roofing.

Spring

Spring is another busy season for roofers. Many homeowners take advantage of tax refunds to fund roof work in the spring, and the warming temperatures make conditions more favorable for installation.

Summer

Summer continues a steady stream of roofing work. The largest percentage of roofs are installed between May and September, with the period running from the Fourth of July to Labor Day being ideal for installation of all roof types. By late summer, warm days and fairly predictable weather can allow your roofer to make short work of the installation.

Planning ahead will ensure that you get the best prices, and are able to engage the services of your preferred roofing company. You should secure a schedule with a contractor at least two to three weeks ahead, and draw up a contract to lock in prevailing prices for labor and materials. 

Author’s Bio

As Marketing Manager of The Roofing & Remodeling Company, Cara Theiss gets to interact closely with customers and team members on a daily basis. She loves the opportunity to learn the latest trends and technologies in home improvement, and share those with homeowners.