Get Quotes from Top Roofing Contractors in New York City, NY

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Roofing Contractor in New York City?

An essential factor to consider when determining the suitability of roofing contractors for your project is whether these individuals have been duly licensed by the appropriate authority. Roofing contractors in New York City are required to register as general contractors with the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) before performing any building and construction-related work in the city. In addition, any roofer who wishes to engage in any residential construction, remodeling, or repair work must obtain a separate Home Improvement Contractor License from the city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP).

General contractor registrants and home improvement contractor license applicants are typically expected to meet certain eligibility requirements. These include:

• Being at least 18 years old,
• Pass a background check,
• Provide proof of insurance,
• Pay a registration or licensing fee, and
• Provide any additional information that the DOB or DCW may request at the time of the application.

Roofing contractors who wish to undergo the general contractor registration process may do so by applying to the Department of Building via its DOB NOW platform. The department provides a new license application user guide that interested parties can utilize to get step-by-step directions on the registration process. Likewise, DCWP-issued home improvement contractor licenses can also be obtained online or in person at any of the following locations:

Note that in-person applicants must schedule an appointment before visiting any of the aforementioned offices to carry out the application process. These appointments can be scheduled by calling (212) 436-0441.

It is unlawful for roofing contractors to perform roofing work in New York City without being properly registered as general contractors or possessing a home improvement contractor license where applicable, and offenders can face severe criminal and civil penalties. You can confirm that the DOB has duly registered your roofing contractor online via the department's registrant search portal. Home improvement contractor license verifications can similarly be conducted online via the DCWP's online services portal. Queries concerning New York City roofing contractor registration, licensing requirements, and processes can also be directed to the DOB and DCWP at (212) 393-2259 and (212) 639-9675, respectively.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Roofers in the City?

Several factors affect the cost of roofing in New York City. These include the size of your home and the nature of the roofing project. For example, completely replacing your roof will cost you more than repairing faulty sections of an existing roof. Likewise, the type of roofing material used for the job will also affect its overall cost. Nonetheless, you can get a fair idea of the average cost of your roofing project by requesting bids or quotes from at least three different roofing contractors in the city. When you receive these bids or quotes, look out for ones that are markedly higher or lower than the rest, as this is usually an indication of fraudulent or deceptive behavior on the part of the contractor.

Roofers in New York City earn an average wage of $57,960 annually. The average hourly wages of roofers in New York City and those of roofers in other areas of New York State, as well as other major cities in the country, are compared below:

Will You Get the Roofing Permits Required as per the NYC Building Code?

Article 105 of the New York City Construction Codes makes it unlawful to perform construction, alteration, or repair activities on buildings in the city before obtaining a written permit from the city's Department of Buildings (DOB). Nonetheless, exemptions are made for emergency work provided that a permit application is submitted no later than two days after said emergency work commences. Section 101-14 of the Rules of New York City makes further exemptions for situations where a permit is not required for roofing work in the city. These situations include:

• Roof repair or replacement work is limited to roof coverings, membranes, cant strips, and insulation above the roof deck or sheathing. Note that a permit must be obtained if the roof is being repaired or replaced requires additional thermal insulation per the NYC Energy Conservation Code requirements.
• Work involving green roof systems that are not more than four inches in depth when measured from the upper surface of the roof covering to the top of the growth medium. Note that these green roof systems must be located on noncombustible buildings or buildings that have a height of more than 100 feet.

The NYC DOB categorizes permits based on the type of construction work that is expected to be done, and permit applications are classified as either New Building (NB) permits or Alteration (ALT) permits. Alteration permits are further subdivided into ALT1, ALT2, and ALT3 permits, depending on the scope of the alteration work and whether or not it will affect a building's use, egress, or occupancy. The required building permits for roofing projects in NYC can be obtained through the following steps:

• Determine the type of permit that is needed.
• File a permit application online via the DOB Now: Build Platform. This step typically includes the payment of stipulated application fees as well as the submission of construction plans, which must be prepared by a state-licensed professional engineer or registered architect, and any other necessary forms and documents. Applicants must have an existing user account or register a new account before filing the permit application, and interested parties can utilize the resources made available by the DOB on this platform to get assistance on the account registration and permit filing process.
• Get DOB plan approval and pull the required permits.

Once the permits have been pulled, the roofing project can commence. Note that the NYC Department of Buildings inspects approved work during its progress and completion to ensure compliance with the city's building code and other applicable laws. Permit applicants are typically informed of the required inspections for their project during the permit issuance process, and these inspections can be requested online via the department's DOB NOW: Inspections platform. Once all necessary inspections have been carried out, a Certificate of Occupancy or Letter of Completion is usually issued to signify the official conclusion of the project.

You can get additional information on the NYC permitting and inspection process by reaching out to the city's Department of Buildings at (212) 566-5000 or directing your queries to the appropriate DOB office located in your borough of residence:

What Kind of Roofing Services Do You Offer?

You should always ensure that any roofer you contract is capable of working on your specific type of roofing system and has the necessary tools to provide the type of service you require. New York City buildings utilize different types of roofing systems, each of which has unique features that require a measure of experience and specialized tools on the part of the roofer to ensure proper service delivery. Examples of common roofing types in NYC include flat roofing, asphalt roofing, green roofing, rubberized roofing, sheet metal roofing, solar roofs, hot roofs, and cold roofs.

Some roofing contractors in the city may specialize in working on a specific type of roofing. Others may stick to providing services in particular areas, such as roofing repair, roofing replacement and installations, roofing maintenance and waterproofing, and roofing remodeling. By confirming the type of roofing services that a roofing contractor provides before hiring them, you not only ensure that you hire the proper professional for the job but also reduce the chances of any misunderstandings occurring down the line.

Below are the estimated costs of some roofing services commonly requested by property owners in New York City. Note that factors like your location within the city and the reputation of the roofer that you hire may affect these costs:

Estimates based on task:

Estimates based on roof pitch (per square feet):

Estimates for roof repair/replacement based on roofing material (per square feet):

Estimates for roof repair/replacement based on shape (per square feet):

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Roofing Companies in New York City?

Roofing is a dangerous occupation, and roofers are exposed to several work hazards, such as injuries due to falls from heights. Approximately 26% of the fatal work-related injuries recorded by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics in New York City in 2019 were caused by falls, slips, and trips. As such, all licensed contractors in the City registered with the DOB must maintain a general liability insurance coverage of a minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence and carry workers' compensation and disability insurance where applicable. Always confirm that your intended roofer has met these insurance requirements, as failing can make you liable for any on-the-job injuries or other detrimental events during your project.

You can confirm your roofer's insurance status by requesting copies of their insurance certificates and validating these documents with the appropriate insurer. It is also a good idea to contact the DOB at (212) 566-5000 to get additional information on its insurance requirements for roofing contractors that operate in New York City.