Hiring for roofing work in Houston? Start with the facts that are specific to Houston and Texas: who licenses the work, how to check a license, where permits come from, and what the local market looks like. Every figure below links to its official source.
Before you hire in Houston: a checklist
- Texas has no statewide license for this work, so ask which local license or registration the roofing contractor holds and confirm it with the issuing city or county.
- Ask for a certificate of liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage before work starts.
- Confirm who will pull the permit with City of Houston Permitting Center and that final inspection is included in the price.
- Get at least three written quotes for the same scope; our roofing guide covers typical costs, questions to ask and red flags.
Roofing licensing in Texas
Texas has no statewide license requirement for roofing contractors. Homeowners should check with their city or county for any local registration or permit rules.
| Who licenses it | No statewide license in Texas; cities and counties set the rules |
|---|
Source: gov.texas.gov, checked November 15, 2026. Rules change; confirm with the agency before you sign a contract.
Building permits in Houston
Residential building permits for Houston are issued by City of Houston Permitting Center. Permits are commonly required for re-roofing and structural roof repairs. Ask your contractor who will pull the permit and book the inspections; a contractor who asks you to pull it yourself is a warning sign.
Official permit office page, checked November 15, 2026.
Houston's roofing market: firms and pay
Census County Business Patterns counted 301 business locations with paid employees in Harris County in 2023 in the industry βroofing contractors,β employing 2,649 people. The median annual wage for roofers in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area was $45,500 (May 2025), lower than in most of the 97 metro areas we cover. Local pay levels feed directly into labor rates on quotes.
| Business locations (roofing contractors) in Harris County | 301 |
|---|---|
| People employed at those locations | 2,649 |
| Share with fewer than 10 employees | 81% |
| Average annual payroll per employee | $79,800 |
| Median annual wage, roofers, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area | $45,500 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 (NAICS 238160; employer establishments only, so self-employed one-person businesses are not counted); BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 47-2181). Checked November 15, 2026.
Houston climate and what it means for your roof
Houston averages 55.6 inches of precipitation a year, more than 144 of the 153 cities we have this figure for. With 3,362 cooling degree days, heat and UV exposure are a major factor in shingle aging and attic ventilation; with 1,098 heating degree days, freeze-thaw damage is less of a concern.
| Heating degree days (base 65°F) | 1,098 |
|---|---|
| Cooling degree days (base 65°F) | 3,362 |
| Average annual temperature | 71.1°F |
| Average annual precipitation | 55.6 in |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, station Houston Hobby Airport (USW00012918). 30-year averages, not a forecast. Checked November 15, 2026.
Seasonal notes for Texas
Intense sun, heavy rain and wind-driven storms are the main stressors on Texas roofs. Ask about wind-rated shingles, proper underlayment and ventilation, and photograph storm damage before calling your insurer.
Other trades in Houston
More Houston guides
Roofing in other cities
AllCityPros is an independent information resource. We do not endorse, rate or vouch for any business, and nothing here is legal or professional advice. Licensing rules change; confirm requirements with the licensing agency before you sign a contract. Business counts and wages are official statistics for the county or metro area, not counts of businesses available to you.