Get Quotes from Top Roofing Contractors in Detroit, MI

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Roofing Contractor in Detroit

​​Although most roofs are designed to last more than twenty years, it is still important to regularly inspect your roof at least every three years to ensure it is in good condition. Also, wearing from weather effects and animal encroachments will necessitate frequent maintenance and sometimes a repair or replacement. However, before you contract a roofing contractor in Detroit to help with maintenance, repair, or replacement job, ensure that such a professional is licensed, insured, and experienced to complete the work satisfactorily. Asking the following questions will help you determine the best hand fit for the job:

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Roofing Contractor in Detroit?

Detroit roofing contractors must register with and obtain maintenance and alteration contractor licenses from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Interested roofers who wish to become a maintenance and alteration contractor in Detroit must meet specific requirements, which include:

  • They must be at least 18 years of age
  • They must hold a Michigan driver's license.
  • They must provide proof of completing a 60-hour training course at a training center approved by LARA.
  • They must open or use an existing user account on the LARA's licensing portal
  • They must register for and pass maintenance and alteration licensing exams
  • They must pay the applicable licensing application fee.

If the applicant checks the above requirements, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) will issue the necessary license. This license is typically issued for three years. For more information about the licensing procedures of roofing contractors in Detroit, you can contact LARA's Bureau of Construction Codes at:

Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Bureau of Construction codes
1st Floor Ottawa Building
611 W. Ottawa Street
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 241-9313
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays

Roofing contractors that do not comply with the state's licensing requirement could be fined up to $25,000. To this end, you must ensure you confirm the licensing status of your intended roofing contractor before completing the hiring process. You can use LARA's online platform to verify if your intended roofing contractor is licensed.

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

When choosing a local roofing contractor for your home improvement project in Detroit, the rates you will be charged will be determined by several factors. These include:

  • The complexity of the job
  • The labor intensity of the job
  • The type of roofing material involved
  • Your location within the city
  • The size of your roof
  • The nature and scope of the work to be done
  • The extent of the roof damage

It is advisable to get and compare rates and estimates of multiple roofing contractors near you before hiring the one that will tend to your specific roofing needs. Doing so will allow you to make sure that the contractor is charging a reasonable fee. It can also help identify dishonest individuals who would charge higher rates or individuals who lower their rates to attract more consumers. This is a red flag that they might be trying to scam you.

Roofers in Detroit earn an average wage of $54,470 annually. The average hourly wages of roofers in Detroit and those of roofers in other major cities in the country are compared below:

Detroit Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$26.19
Ann Arbor Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$25.06
Jackson Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$25.54
Saginaw Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$20.74
Bay City Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$21.38
New York City Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$27.87
Los Angeles Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$29.11
Chicago Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$31.74
Houston Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$19.78
Phoenix Roofing Contractors Hourly Average Wage
$23.41
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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

Before starting a project, such as replacing or recovering a roof, a permit must be obtained from the Detroit Buildings Safety Engineering Environmental Department (BSEED).

The owner of a building or the roofing contractor who is in charge of the project can make a permit application to BSEED. To apply, the applicants must create an account on the city's Electronic Licensing and Permitting System (eLAPS). In addition to the application form, the roofing contractor must submit documents such as building and proposed construction plans through the city's electronic plan review portal. Applicants can use the permit application guide for additional information on the permit submission process.

BSEED will review the permit application and then issue the permit within three business days. Once the permit is approved, the roofing contractor must schedule an inspection with the Construction Inspection Division of the Detroit Buildings Safety Engineering Environmental Department (BSEED), either online or by contacting at (313) 224-3202. This enables the construction inspection division to conduct inspections and confirm that the project is being carried out following the Michigan Building Code.

For more information about the permit application process and any other important information you may need, you can contact the BSEED office at (313) 224-2733 or visit the physical location at:

Department of Buildings, Safety, Engineering, and Environmental (BSEED)
Coleman A, Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226

What Kind of Roofing Services Do You Offer?

When choosing a local and experienced roofing contractor in Detroit, you must consider the specialization of the individual you want to hire. Hiring a well-trained and experienced roofing contractor will ensure you are provided with the best possible service. Some common types of roof materials that a professional contractor uses include asphalt shingles, flat roof tiles, slate, and silicon.

A professional roofing contractor can provide various types of roofing services in both residential and commercial properties in Detroit, such as:

  • Roof inspections
  • Roof damage repairs
  • Roof maintenance
  • New roof installations
  • Roof replacements
  • Roof leakage repairs and waterproofing

Before you hire a roofing contractor, it is essential that you thoroughly confirm their capabilities and experience to deliver the services that you need. In addition, it is also crucial that you agree to the terms of the contract before the roofer starts working on your roof.

Below is a list of the most frequently requested services by Detroit residents. Some of the factors that can affect the cost of these services include the scope of work, the nature of the project, and the reputation of the roofing contractor:

Estimates based on task:

Asphalt shingle roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$151 - $245
Flat roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$122 - $203
Slate roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$685 - $1,701
Tile roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$709.00 - $1,134
Wood shake roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$496 - $652
Metal roof installation (per 100 square feet)
$704 - $921
Metal roof painting (per 100 square feet)
$1.90 - $2.19
Roof cleaning (per visit, for a typical two-story house)
$320 - $416
Roof heating cable installation (per linear foot of eave)
$30.25 - $35.92
Roof inspection (per visit, for a two-story home with a typical roofline)
$165 - $283
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Estimates based on roof pitch (per square feet):

Flat roof replacement
$3 - $7
Low-slope roof replacement
$3 - $7
Conventional slope roof replacement
$3 - $8
Steep slope roof replacement
$2.50 - $12
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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

Asphalt shingle
$2 - $8
Vinyl (PVC)
$3 - $10
Plastic
$3 - $10
Bitumen
$3.50 - $13
Concrete Tile
$3 - $22
Metal
$3 - $28
Rubber
$3 - $13
Architectural shingles
$3 - $12
Cedar
$5 - $13
Composite
$5 - $22
Clay
$8 - $28
Green
$8 - $38
Solar
$8 - $28
Slate
$12 - $28
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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

Gable
$2 - $9
Hipped
$2 - $9
Dutch
$2 - $9
Butterfly
$2 - $9
Dormer
$3 - $10
Flat
$3 - $12
A-Frame
$3 - $22
Mansard
$6 - $22
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Roofing Companies in Detroit?

It is important that your roofing contractor is appropriately insured due to the high risk involved in roofing services. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 80 fatal and over 1,500 non-fatal work-related injuries were reported among construction industry workers in 2020.

By working with only a licensed and insured contractor, you can protect yourself from financial losses and legal liabilities due to injuries that happen while they are carrying out home improvement projects. It also saves you from having to pay for the repairs and replacements if your house gets damaged by the work of a roofing contractor.

Although roofing contractors are not required to carry general liability coverage in Detroit, it is still important to hire a contractor with a valid insurance policy that will cover the projects. You should request proof of insurance from your intended roofing contractor. Make a further confirmation that the policy is valid and the coverage is enough to cover you by contacting the insurance company. Note that roofing contractors must carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees. You can contact the Insurance Compliance Division of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) at (517) 284-8922 for more information regarding workers' compensation insurance requirements for roofers in Detroit.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Roofer in Detroit

Through its Consumer Protection Division and Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), the Michigan Attorney General handles complaints about bad roofers in the city of Detroit.

Before hiring a roofing contractor for your home or commercial project in Detroit, ensure they are licensed and have the necessary skills and experience to handle the job. This is because several individuals pose as legitimate roofers to scam residents of Detroit. In January 2021, two unlicensed individuals were charged with fraud after being accused of scamming residents out of over $22,000. These individuals claimed they were licensed contractors and could deliver on their home improvement projects. These funds were obtained through deceptive means, and they never completed the roofing projects. Some other signs you can look out for include:

  • Employ aggressive sales tactics to get you to retain their services.
  • Unsolicited visit to your home. They sometimes offer you a free or discounted roof inspection and repairs.
  • Avoids or downplays the importance of a written contract for the work.
  • Request an upfront payment of either full or a substantial advance.
  • Reluctant to providing reliable references of past clients.

To this end, you can take the following precautionary steps to identify unscrupulous roofing contractors near you:

  • Utilize various platforms, such as the National Roofing Contractors Association's Member Directory and the Better Business Bureau's website, to find professional roofing contractors near you.
  • Ensure the roofing contractor has been duly registered by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). You can utilize LARA's online platform to verify that your intended roofing contractor is licensed.
  • Avoid unsolicited roofing contractors, especially after a disaster. Instead, you can contact your insurance provider to recommend a professional roofing contractor for repairs or replacements of your roof.
  • Be wary of roofing contractors who try to scare you into making a wrong decision by threatening you with dire consequences if the roof is not fixed immediately.
  • Make sure that you have a written contract with the contractor. Only sign a contract that you understand.
  • Make sure that the contractor is insured.
  • Get and compare the rates of different roofing contractors for your project.
  • Do not pay the full cost of the project upfront. Also, ensure that the advance payment is not more than 10 percent of the total project value.
  • Request for references of past clients. These will help you identify the quality of the roofer's work and how professional the roofer is.

If you have been a victim of fraudulent and unfair business practices by a local roofing contractor in Detroit, you can contact the LARA Compliance Division to make a complaint by contacting at (517) 241-9316 or via email. Consumer-related matters can also be filed with the Consumer Protection Division of the Michigan Attorney General's office. You can file a complaint with the division by filing an online complaint and sending all accompanying documentation to support your complaint to:

Consumer Protection Division
P.O.Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909-7713

You can also file a lawsuit against the bad roofing contractors at the relevant Detroit Court. However, before instituting an action, it is important that you thoroughly consult with a licensed attorney. To find an attorney in Detroit, you can contact the legal services clinic of the Detroit Bar Association at (313) 961-6120.