How To Choose A Roofer In Tarrant County

1. Know What A License Does And Does Not Mean

Texas does not currently require a state-issued license for reroofing contractors, according to a 2025 Texas House bill analysis.¹ Some roofers hold a voluntary license from the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT), a trade group.² That is not a state license, so ask which credential a roofer means and confirm it with the group that issued it.

2. Check City Registration And Permits

Rules are set city by city. Arlington requires a building permit to replace roof covering unless 10 percent or less of the roof is replaced, and every contractor must be registered with the city.³ Southlake requires a permit for roof replacement and contractor registration.⁴ Grapevine requires a permit for a residential re-roof.⁵ Fort Worth and North Richland Hills do not require a permit to replace only shingles on a one- or two-family home, but do when decking is replaced.⁶⁷ If your city requires a permit, a registered roofer should pull it.

3. Get It In Writing

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) says to get more than one bid or repair estimate, check references and phone numbers, and call the Better Business Bureau about complaints. It also says never to sign a contract that has blank spaces.⁸

4. After Hail, Slow Down Before You Sign

Hail is a real risk here. The National Weather Service says the May 5, 1995 Mayfest storm dropped hail up to softball size and caused an estimated $2 billion in damage in Tarrant and Dallas counties.⁹ TDI says to file a claim as soon as you can after hail or wind damage, and it warns homeowners to beware of storm-chasing criminals after a disaster.⁸¹⁰ Tarrant County is not in the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association's coastal area, so your claim goes through your own homeowners insurer.¹¹

5. The Deductible Rules

• Texas law says you must pay any deductible on a property insurance claim.¹²
• It is illegal for a contractor to offer to waive, rebate or absorb your deductible. Report offers to the Texas Attorney General at 800-621-0508.¹³
• A roofing contract of $1,000 or more that involves an insurance settlement must include a notice that you must pay the deductible.¹³
• Your insurer can hold back depreciation until you show proof you paid the deductible.¹²

6. Your Roofer Is Not Your Adjuster

Texas does not allow a roofer or contractor to act as a public insurance adjuster on a claim for work they are also doing.¹³ Be careful with a roofer who offers to handle your claim for you.

7. Pay As The Work Gets Done

TDI says not to pay in full up front, and not to make the final payment until the work is done.⁸

Use The Checklist Find Roofers By City

Sources

1. Texas House Committee bill analysis, HB 3344 (2025)
2. Roofing Contractor magazine, May 15, 2017 (trade source)
3. City of Arlington, Re-Roof Permits, Inspections and Common Q and A (September 13, 2023)
4. City of Southlake, Roof Replacement: What You Need to Know (February 2026)
5. City of Grapevine Building Services, Residential Re-Roofing Requirements (undated)
6. City of Fort Worth Development Services, Roofing FAQ (undated PDF)
7. City of North Richland Hills, Frequently Asked Questions
8. Texas Department of Insurance, Hail damage to your home or car? What to do next
9. National Weather Service Fort Worth, Mayfest storm page
10. Texas Department of Insurance, Fraud resources
11. Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, Overview
12. Texas Insurance Code, Chapter 707 (sections 707.002 and 707.004)
13. Texas Department of Insurance, Roofing and insurance: know the law (updated March 24, 2025)

This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Rules change, so confirm with your city and your insurer.