Get Quotes from Top Roofing Contractors in Indianapolis, IN

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

There are no specific licensing requirements for roofers in Indianapolis. However, section 875-101 of the Indianapolis Municipal Code requires any person or business that performs construction of any sort to be licensed and listed as a contractor with the city. Performing a construction activity without the required license or listing attracts a fine of $200 for the first violation in twelve months and not less than $1,000 for subsequent violations.

Roofers in Indianapolis are encouraged to obtain a general contractor license from the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services to avoid paying unnecessary fines. It is important to note that only individuals who meet the requirements for obtaining a contractor license will be considered for licensure.

These requirements include showing proof of business registration with the Indiana Secretary of State, filing a surety bond of $10,000 and an insurance policy in the minimum amounts of $500,000 for combined bodily injury, and property damage coverage of $500,000 for any occurrence relative to which there is injury or death to at least one person and $100,000 for any occurrence relative to which there is property damage. In addition, roofers who wish to have employees must also maintain a workman's compensation insurance. All applicants for a general contractor license must pay a licensing fee of $215 and download, complete, and submit a contractor application form at:

Alternatively, applicants can submit a completed contractor application form alongside their insurance certificate and bond to this email. Upon receiving the application, an official of the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services will review the submission and add the appropriate fees to the applicant's contractor license. An email containing a link to pay the license application fee will be sent to the applicant. Applicants can pay by credit/debit card or eCheck. Queries concerning a general contractor license application can be directed to the city's Department of Business and Neighborhood Services by calling (317) 327-1291.

By meeting the aforementioned requirements and submitting a contractor application form, applicants agree to comply with the Revised Code of Indianapolis and Marion County and all other applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations. The Department of Business and Neighborhood Services will issue licenses to successful applicants. Homeowners should always ensure that the roofer they intend to hire is licensed by the city. Homeowners can confirm the license status of their preferred contractor by checking the list of licensed general contractors in the city or by calling the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services by calling (317) 327-1291.

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

Roofers in Indianapolis calculate their charges based on the nature of the service they are rendering, the size of the roof that needs repair or replacement, the type of roofing materials that will be used, and the amount of time it will take to complete the project. However, homeowners are encouraged to be wary of dishonest roofers who may charge more than is necessary for a project. To ensure that they do not pay more than what is required for a roofing service, homeowners should always consult with at least three different roofing contractors and obtain work estimates from each of them.

By comparing these estimates, homeowners will be able to determine the actual cost of the roofing service. Furthermore, homeowners will be able to choose any of the contractors whose price fits their budget. Nonetheless, it is also essential that homeowners understand that low bids do not mean that the contractor is honest. Unscrupulous individuals also offer low prices to persuade homeowners to hire them. Homeowners should, therefore, avoid any ridiculously low or too high bid.

Roofers in Indianapolis earn an average wage of $47,830 annually. The average hourly wages of roofers in Indianapolis and those of roofers in other areas of Indiana, as well as other major cities in the country, are compared below:

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

According to the Building Standards and Procedures of the Consolidated City of Indianapolis, a permit is not required before certain roofing projects can be executed. For example, the replacement of an existing roof does not require a permit, provided that such replacement is executed by a listed contractor. However, if the replacement of an existing roof will involve either a change in roof configurations, a change in roof covering that would increase the dead load on the structure, the replacement of basic structural materials that support the roof, or the installation of heat-applied roofing material, a structural permit will be required. Performing any of the aforementioned roofing projects without a structural permit attracts a fine of not less than $100.

Homeowners can avoid paying unnecessary fines by making sure that their roofing contractor obtains the necessary permits before commencing work on their building. Even though there are no specific roofing permits in the city, roofing contractors who plan to execute major roofing services for a client must apply for a structural permit for such work. A structural permit identifies and covers all proposed alterations to an existing structure, including the roofing system. To be eligible to apply for a structural permit, applicants must be licensed for the types of construction that will occur at the structure or identify, at the time of application, a licensed subcontractor for every type of construction that will occur at the structure.

Applications for a structural permit can be submitted online via the Land Use Petition & Enforcement Case Citizen Access Portal. However, first-time applicants will be required to create a user profile before they can use the online permitting service. After creating their user profile, applicants can start the application process. Note that a structural permit application for roofing requires payment of permit fees and the uploading of two sets of plans that contain the following:

• Plot or site plan, which must show property lines, all buildings on the lot, and dimensions from any new structures to related property lines
• Foundation plan, floor plan, framing plan, and building elevations
• Sections and/or details showing but not limited to footing information, wall and roof information, truss calculations, and all materials to be used

Once the necessary documents are uploaded, and the permit application is submitted, the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services will review the application for code compliance. When plan reviews are complete, the applicant will be notified by email, and successful applicants will be issued their permits. Contractors who have been issued a permit must make sure that a copy of the permit is displayed on-site in a way that it is visible from the streets.

Following the issuance of permits, inspections are required throughout the construction process to ensure that the construction in the field corresponds to the approved designs and is in accordance with the building code and zoning ordinance. The Department of Business and Neighborhood Services carries out inspections on construction work for which a permit was issued. Inspections can be scheduled online or by calling (317) 327-5525. This automated line will instruct you to schedule the desired inspection using your permit number. Queries concerning inspections can be directed to the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services by calling (317) 327-8939.

What Kind of Roofing Services Do You Offer?

Roofers in Indianapolis offers a variety of roofing services to interested persons. These services include roofing repairs and replacement and residential and commercial roofing. In addition, most roofers in the city offer more personalized services such as roof coating, attic ventilation, and roof restoration.

When considering hiring a roofer to execute your roofing project, you should always ensure that the individual specializes in providing the exact services you need. You can find out whether your preferred roofer specializes in the type of services you need by asking about their area of specialization and years of practice.

You should also ask if they specialize in repairing or installing the roofing material you intend to use for the project. Some of Indianapolis's most common roofing materials include asphalt shingle, natural slate, wood shake or composite, tile, metal, solar, foam, and single-ply. It should be noted that each of these materials is best installed by roofers who specialize in their application. Nonetheless, even if a roofer claims to specialize in both the services and materials you need for the project, you should still insist on getting photographic evidence and reviews from satisfied past clients. To obtain a first-hand review of the roofer's level of expertise and professionalism, you can ask for a list of satisfied past clients and a means to contact each of them.

Regardless of how urgently you require the service, do not hire a roofer until you have asked the aforementioned questions and received satisfactory answers. You can proceed to discuss the cost of the roofing service after confirming that the roofing contractor can perform the job.

Provided below are the estimated costs of some roofing services that are commonly requested by property owners in Indianapolis. 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 Indianapolis?

Executing a roofing project exposes roofers to risks such as falls, which is one of the leading causes of mortality in the construction business, as reported by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). According to OSHA, roof falls accounted for roughly 1,200, or 34%, of all deaths related to falls during construction between 2003 and 2013. In addition, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics also recorded over 100 fatal work injuries in the roofing contractor business across the country in 2020 alone.

Given the above statistics, homeowners must understand that on-the-job injuries may occur during their project. As a result, it is always wise to plan for these types of events. Homeowners can avoid being caught off guard by ensuring that the roofing contractor they wish to hire has the required insurance coverage.

Per the requirements of the city's Department of Business and Neighborhood Services, anyone who wishes to engage in construction work must file an insurance policy in the minimum amount of $500,000 for combined bodily injury and property damage coverage of $500,000 for any occurrence relative to which there is injury or death to at least one person and $100,000 for any occurrence relative to which there is property damage.

In addition, roofers who wish to have employees must also file a worker's compensation insurance with the Worker's Compensation Board of Indiana. Queries concerning the insurance requirements for general contractors can be directed to the city's Department of Business and Neighborhood Services by calling (317) 327-1291. Similarly, for more information concerning the workers' compensation insurance, call (317) 232-5922.

Note that hiring a roofing contractor who has met these insurance requirements protects homeowners from financial consequences and potential court actions that may arise as a result of property damage, bodily harm, or death. Before reaching an agreement with a roofer, homeowners should get proof of insurance from the roofing contractor and ensure that they verify the document by calling the insurance company that issued the document.