Each state and municipality has its own licensing requirements for roofing companies. In some areas, licensing for an average home roof replacement is easy; roofing companies simply obtain a local business license in order to operate.

In North Carolina, for example, a roofing company may operate and repair or replace roofs up to $30,000 per job value without any license; local business licenses for contractors cost $10 per year. In this case, no training, certification, or proof of any knowledge is required.

This is precisely why it is so important for homeowners to do their homework and know that when they see “licensed and insured,” that could mean very little. Checking out a company’s reputation can be as easy as contacting the local Better Business Bureau or checking online reviews. It is recommended that the homeowner find a contractor who is licensed in the state of North Carolina as a Licensed General Contractor and check that the job limit of the company’s license exceeds the job cost of their project. The homeowner should confirm that the company has a local business license (so that the local municipality does not stop work underway because your contractor has no license to do business in your town) and that, if a permit is required, the contractor has pulled the permit.

Roofing contractors should carry at least the state’s requirement for Workers Compensation and a minimum of $1 million in General Liability. The North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act requires that all businesses which employ three or more employees, obtain workers’ compensation insurance or qualify as self-insured employers for purposes of paying workers’ compensation benefits to their employees.

The roof is the most important component of your home. You will live under your new roof for many years, so it is important to make informed decisions when it comes to roofing replacements. For more information on the roofing services H & S Roofing and Gutters provides for the Charlotte, NC and surrounding areas, visit their website today at www.hsroofing.com or give them a call at (704) 327-3610.