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How to Verify Your Roofer’s Credentials: Avoiding Unlicensed Contractors in Arizona’s Booming Market

Protect Your Investment: How Arizona’s Construction Boom Makes Verifying Your Roofer’s Credentials More Critical Than Ever

Arizona’s construction market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with Phoenix seeing construction starts leap by 82% during recent periods and the Phoenix construction market exceeding the national U.S. average significantly since 2016, expanding by 15% and driven by a strong residential market. This booming market has created both opportunities and risks for homeowners seeking roofing services, making credential verification absolutely essential.

Understanding Arizona’s Roofing License Requirements

In Arizona, the Registrar of Contractors (AZ ROC) licenses and regulates over 45,000 residential and commercial contractors and investigates complaints against licensed contractors and unlicensed entities. A license is required for any person or business that “contracts or offers to contract to build, alter, repair, add to, subtract from, improve, move, wreck or demolish any building” where labor and material costs exceed $1,000.

For roofing work specifically, contractors must hold either a General Commercial Contractor or General Residential Contractor license issued by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. The licensing process includes passing a trade examination to assess whether an applicant has the knowledge required to perform the type of work authorized by a license, obtaining proper bonding, and meeting experience requirements.

The High Cost of Hiring Unlicensed Contractors

The consequences of working with unlicensed roofing contractors are severe for both the contractor and the homeowner. In Arizona, it is a class 1 misdemeanor for a person not licensed as a contractor to act in the capacity of a contractor (even merely bidding on a project) or advertise that they are able to perform any service or contract for compensation, with a first offense coming with a fine of no less than $1,000, plus the possibility of six months jail time.

For homeowners, the risks are equally significant. Unlicensed contractors cannot file a mechanics lien and are precluded from filing any action for collecting compensation for work performed that required a license. More importantly, you, as the property owner, have no recourse through AZ ROC if you hire an unlicensed entity, while hiring a licensed contracting professional offers many additional protections.

Verification Made Simple

Fortunately, verifying your contractor’s credentials is straightforward. You can verify your contractor’s license status online or contact the ROC at (602) 542-1525. AROC keeps a database of all licensed contractors in the state, and owners and GCs should refer to that database before hiring.

When searching for a qualified roofer Maricopa County residents can trust, always verify that the contractor holds current licensing and proper insurance coverage. Companies like Roofing All Stars LLC, a market leader in roofing and building services with a local history serving Phoenix, AZ and the surrounding areas, provide full-service residential roofing contractor services serving Phoenix, Chandler, Gilbert and the surrounding areas.

Red Flags to Watch For

Arizona’s booming market has unfortunately attracted unlicensed operators. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors receives information and reports from victims pertaining to traveler activity throughout Arizona, where travelers and other unlicensed entities target and solicit work from residents and perform bogus or inferior construction services at inflated prices, with typical reports involving roofing repair.

Be particularly wary of door-to-door solicitors, especially after severe weather events. Members of the travelers organization target the elderly, promise quality workmanship and possibly a 20 year written guarantee, but the final results usually prove to be inferior construction services at increased costs for consumers.

The Benefits of Choosing Licensed Contractors

Working with properly licensed roofing contractors provides significant protections. On residential jobs, using a licensed contractor makes owners eligible for up to $30,000 compensation if something goes awry, as when a licensed contractor provides faulty work on a residential property, the owner may be entitled to as much as $30,000 from AROC’s Residential Recovery Fund, a special fund that all licensed Arizona contractors pay into.

Should you experience problems with a licensed contractor, you as a residential property owner have the ability to file a complaint against the contractor’s license within a two-year period from the date of occupancy or date the last work was performed, and under certain conditions, you may also be eligible to apply to the Registrar’s Residential Contractors’ Recovery Fund and depending on the cost of damages receive up to $30,000 to have the work corrected or completed.

Additional Verification Steps

Beyond license verification, take these additional precautions:

Conclusion

Arizona’s construction boom presents both opportunities and challenges for homeowners seeking roofing services. Roofers are going to need to prepare for a busy Spring and Summer, with roofing company owners keeping pay and benefits up to entice competent roofers, and most roofing companies needing around 10 percent more staff this year. In this competitive environment, thorough credential verification becomes your first line of defense against unlicensed operators.

Don’t let Arizona’s booming market pressure you into making hasty decisions. Take the time to verify licensing, check references, and ensure proper insurance coverage. Your roof is one of your home’s most critical components – protect your investment by working only with properly licensed, reputable contractors who stand behind their work with the full backing of Arizona’s regulatory framework.

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