Need a roofing company in Nashville, TN? Are trying to figure out what a reputable Nashville roofer needs to work in our area?
The roofing industry doesn't have the best reputation, and the Nashville area isn't any different. Bad roofers take advantage of homeowners all the time here.
Well, one of the easiest differences to spot between a bad company and reputable one is having the right paperwork to protect you and legally work in Tennessee. You just need to know what they are, if they're required, and what the mean to you.
For over 35 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has helped Nashville homeowners avoid misinformation and dishonest tactics in the roofing industry, whether they're a customer or not. So, let's break down what you need to know about a Nashville roofer being licensed, bonded, and insured.
By the end of this article, I'll answer:
- Do roofing companies need a license in Nashville, TN?
- Does a Nashville roofing company need to be bonded?
- Does a Nashville roofing company need to be insured?
- So, should you hire a Nashville roofing company that’s licensed, bonded, and insured?
Do roofing companies need a license in Nashville, TN?
Yes, every roofing company in Nashville must have a license to operate in Tennessee. The license will be registered with the state of Tennessee’s board of licensing contractors, which you can find at the Department of Commerce & Insurance Administration License Roster Search.
Why does a roofing company’s license matter in Nashville, TN?
A contractor license means a roofer has met Tennessee’s requirements for the state-issued certification by demonstrating:
- Financial responsibility
- Trade knowledge (roofing and general construction)
- Valid insurance documentation
So, having a license simply tells you that they’re recognized as a legitimate roofing company. However, there are two different licenses that depend on the size of the project: Home Improvement and General Contractors.
Home Improvement License required for work between $3,000 and $25,000 (in certain counties, including Davidson). General Contractor’s License required for any project $25,000 or more.
Nashville roofing companies that do residential roofing should have a general contractor’s license because of how expensive roofing is today. After all, full roof replacements in Nashville, TN, usually cost in the range of $20,000+.
Why is hiring a licensed Nashville roofing company important?
Hiring a licensed Nashville roofing company simply ensures you’re dealing with a roofer who can legally and legitimately work in our area. However, it also means their oversight with the state.
Contractors in Nashville are accountable to the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, which helps protect Nashville homeowners from:
- Unqualified workmanship
- Abandoned projects
- Misrepresenting the scope of work
- Fraud
The main takeaway: If a Nashville roofer isn’t licensed, they’re breaking Tennessee state law. If your roof replacement is over $25,000 (which most are), the roofer must be specifically licensed as a general contractor.
Does a Nashville roofing company need to be bonded?
No, Tennessee does not require Nashville roofing contractors to be bonded for residential work by law. However, it’s still an absolutely crucial piece of paperwork that’s actually in place to protect homeowners.
So, even if it isn't required, I believe every Nashville roofer should be bonded.
What’s the point of a Nashville roofing company being bonded?
A bond is in place to protect you and your roof investment. It financially guarantees you get what you paid for if something happens to the project or the Nashville roofing company you hire.
This includes things like:
- Failure to complete the project
- Ignoring workmanship issues
- Violating building codes
- Misuse of your payment
If you run into any of the above situations, you can file a claim against the bond. If it’s legitimate, the bonding company pays to take care of the issues and goes after the contractor for the money to make it right.
Should you hire a bonded Nashville roofing company?
You should absolutely hire a bonded Nashville roofing company. In fact, I recommend not working with any roofer who doesn’t have a bond.
Bonding companies are only willing to put up the bond if they can trust that a contractor will do jobs the right way. So, any bonded Nashville roofing company has demonstrated doing business correctly and ethically.
The main takeaway: Bonding isn’t required, but I recommend only considering Nashville roofers that’re bonded.
Does a Nashville roofing company need to be insured?
Every Nashville roofer should be fully insured based on the size of the projects and the number of employees in accordance with Tennessee’s laws. In fact, a roofer must show proof of insurance to even get a contractor’s license.
What type of insurance should Nashville roofing companies have?
Nashville roofers should have general liability, workman's comp, and insurance policies on all the vehicles owned and unowned. Workers’ compensation insurance simply protects you from being held financially responsible if a worker is injured on your property.
General liability insurance is a standard policy that covers property damage and 3rd party injuries if something happens during your project. Both are absolutely crucial, and you shouldn’t even consider hiring a Nashville roofer without proper insurance paperwork.
Why is hiring an insured Nashville roofing company important?
Roofing is a high-risk trade with actual construction work, so worker injuries and property damage are always possible. Having all the right pieces of insurance is the best way to protect you, your property, and the Nashville roofer themselves.
Just know that companies that only do small residential roof work will have cheaper liability insurance, so they’ll have lower prices than a company that does larger jobs. While this causes bigger Nashville roofing companies to charge more, it’s worth spending the extra money to ensure you are fully protected.
The main takeaway: A Nashville roofing company with the proper insurance protects you and puts the liability on the roofer.
So, should you hire a Nashville roofing company that’s licensed, bonded, and insured?
You should absolutely only hire a Nashville roofing company that’s licensed, bonded, and insured in the state of Tennessee. If they don’t have just one, don’t even think about hiring them.
Trust me, the last thing you want is to have literally zero recourse if something goes wrong during your roofing project. So, don’t be afraid to ask for proof when meeting a potential Nashville roofing company.
If they have them, they’ll be more than happy to show you. But if a Nashville roofing company is missing even one of the three, start looking for another local contractor.
What else do you need to look for when hiring a Nashville roofing company?
Ensuring a Nashville roofing company is licensed, bonded, and insured is crucial when making a hiring decision. Remember, I only recommend considering roofers that have all three.
But there’s even more you need to be on the lookout for when trying to find a great Nashville roofing company. Because I want you to make the right hiring decision, I'll give you more important things to look for in a Nashville roofing company.
Check out 8 Qualities to Look for in a Nashville Roofing Company to learn the other signs to look for in a reputable roofer.
But if you need a new roof, don't hesitate to reach out!
For over 35 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has provided top-quality residential roofing services to homeowners in Nashville, TN. We offer roof replacements, skylight replacements, roof repairs (repairs on hold for new customers due to labor shortage), and insurance claim guidance for roof storm damage.
I take extreme pride in what we do, and back up our workmanship with a lifetime craftsmanship guarantee. That’s why I say, “When you work with us, you’ll never have to worry about your roof again.”
Get a Free Quote here or call our office at (615) 242-0333 today to schedule your free roof replacement inspection and get the peace of mind you deserve.
