Hiring for roofing work in New York? Start with the facts that are specific to New York and New York: 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 New York: a checklist
- New York 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 NYC Department of Buildings 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 New York
New York State does not license roofing contractors; any licensing or home improvement contractor requirements are set by cities and counties, so homeowners should check with their local government.
| Who licenses it | No statewide license in New York; cities and counties set the rules |
|---|
Building permits in New York
Residential building permits for New York are issued by NYC Department of Buildings. 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.
New York's roofing market: firms and pay
Census County Business Patterns counted 150 business locations with paid employees in New York City (five boroughs) in 2023 in the industry βroofing contractors,β employing 1,242 people. The median annual wage for roofers in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area was $76,400 (May 2025), higher 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 New York City (five boroughs) | 150 |
|---|---|
| People employed at those locations | 1,242 |
| Share with fewer than 10 employees | 85% |
| Average annual payroll per employee | $74,500 |
| Median annual wage, roofers, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area | $76,400 |
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.
New York climate and what it means for your roof
New York averages 49.5 inches of precipitation a year, more than 131 of the 153 cities we have this figure for, and about 30 inches of snow, so ask about ice-and-water shield at eaves and valleys and the roof's snow-load rating. With 1,222 cooling degree days, heat and UV exposure are a moderate factor; with 4,553 heating degree days, freeze-thaw cycles and ice dams deserve attention.
| Heating degree days (base 65°F) | 4,553 |
|---|---|
| Cooling degree days (base 65°F) | 1,222 |
| Average annual temperature | 55.8°F |
| Average annual precipitation | 49.5 in |
| Average annual snowfall | 29.8 in |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, station New York Cntrl Pk Twr (USW00094728). 30-year averages, not a forecast. Checked November 15, 2026.
Seasonal notes for New York
Snow load, ice dams and freeze-thaw damage drive roofing work in New York. Attic insulation and ventilation are as important as the shingles themselves.
Other trades in New York
More New York 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.