How to start · Updated May 2026

How to start a roofing business

Starting a roofing business takes $5,000–$25,000, a contractor or roofing license in most states, and serious insurance — roofing is high-risk, high-ticket work. Solo starters often subcontract a crew, win storm and insurance work, and live or die by following up on big open bids.

Startup cost

$5,000–$25,000

Licensing

About 32 states require a roofing or general contractor license to bid…

For

Solo roofers & small crews

The steps to start a roofing business

01

Get licensed and certified

About 32 states require a roofing or general contractor license to bid jobs above a set dollar threshold. Rules vary widely — some license roofing specifically, others fold it into a general contractor license, and a few leave it to local jurisdictions.

02

Register your business and get insured

Register as an LLC or sole proprietorship, get an EIN, and open a business bank account to keep finances clean. Roofing carries some of the highest insurance costs in the trades; general liability and workers' comp are essential, and many customers and GCs require proof before you bid.

03

Buy your core equipment

Plan on $5,000–$25,000 to start. Equipment, a truck and dump trailer, and high insurance premiums drive the cost; many start by subcontracting labor rather than carrying a payroll crew.

04

Set your prices

Roofs are quoted by the job (per square, plus tear-off, decking, and complexity); deposits are standard, and storm/insurance work is a major channel. Roofers earn a national median of about $55,440 as employees, but roofing is high-ticket — a single re-roof runs $7,000–$14,500 — so owner-operators who close and follow up on bids can earn substantially more.

05

Get your first customers

Storm-damage canvassing, referrals from insurance adjusters and realtors, and Google reviews. Because bids are big and slow to close, disciplined follow-up on open estimates is the difference between a full and empty pipeline.

06

Set up the system to run it

Use one tool to schedule jobs, send estimates and invoices, take payment, and follow up automatically — so admin doesn't eat your evenings. JobStack is the AI-powered CRM built for roofers.

What you'll need to start

Pricing your work

Roofs are quoted by the job (per square, plus tear-off, decking, and complexity); deposits are standard, and storm/insurance work is a major channel. Roofers earn a national median of about $55,440 as employees, but roofing is high-ticket — a single re-roof runs $7,000–$14,500 — so owner-operators who close and follow up on bids can earn substantially more.

Dig into the numbers: roofer pay by state, the roof replacement cost guide, and the free hourly rate calculator to set a rate that covers overhead and profit.

Starting a roofing business: FAQ

How much does it cost to start a roofing business?
Usually $5,000–$25,000 — equipment, a truck and dump trailer, licensing, and notably high insurance premiums drive the range. Many start by subcontracting crews to avoid carrying payroll early.
Do I need a license to start a roofing business?
In about 32 states, yes — a roofing or general contractor license is required to bid jobs above a dollar threshold. Requirements vary widely by state, and high insurance coverage is effectively mandatory.
How do roofers make money on big jobs?
A single re-roof runs $7,000–$14,500, so closing rate matters enormously. The best roofers follow up relentlessly on open bids and work storm and insurance claims, where demand spikes and budgets are already approved.

Run the business from your phone.

Once the jobs come in, JobStack handles scheduling, estimates, invoicing, and AI follow-ups — the CRM built for roofers. Launching soon.

See JobStack for roofers

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