Licensed Roofer in Michigan: How to Verify Before You Hire

Michigan's weather is hard on roofs — from heavy snowfall and ice dams in winter to severe thunderstorms and hail in spring and summer. When your roof needs repair or replacement, hiring the right contractor matters. In Michigan, roofing work falls under specific licensing requirements that every homeowner should understand before signing a contract.

Does Michigan require a license for roofing contractors?

Yes, Michigan requires roofing contractors to hold either a Residential Builder license or a Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license issued by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). These licenses are required for any roofing work on residential structures and cover both repair and full replacement projects.

Working without one of these licenses is a violation of Michigan law. Homeowners who hire unlicensed roofers have limited legal recourse if something goes wrong, and insurance claims related to unlicensed work can be denied.

Which agency licenses roofers in Michigan?

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, commonly known as LARA, oversees contractor licensing in the state. Their Bureau of Professional Licensing handles roofing contractor licenses under the Residential Builders and Maintenance & Alteration Contractors category. The official website is michigan.gov/lara.

LARA maintains an online license verification database where you can confirm whether a roofer holds an active, valid license. This database is public and free to use — there's no excuse for skipping this step before you hire.

How do you look up a roofing contractor license in Michigan?

Go to michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bpl/lic to access the license lookup tool. You can search by individual name, business name, or license number. The results display the license type, current status, expiration date, and any disciplinary history associated with that license.

Confirm the license status shows 'active' before proceeding. If the license is expired or shows any disciplinary action, ask the contractor to explain before moving forward. Disciplinary records are public information and are worth reviewing.

What is the difference between a Residential Builder and a Maintenance & Alteration Contractor?

In Michigan, a Residential Builder license allows the holder to construct or renovate entire residential structures. A Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license is more limited and covers specific trades like roofing, siding, insulation, and similar exterior work. For most residential roofing jobs, a Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license is sufficient and appropriate.

When you verify a roofer's license, confirm which type they hold and that it covers the specific work you need. A contractor with only a general contractor license from another state is not authorized to do residential roofing work in Michigan under their out-of-state credentials.

What bond and insurance should a Michigan roofer carry?

Michigan requires licensed residential builders and maintenance & alteration contractors to carry a surety bond ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 depending on the license type. In addition, roofing contractors should carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance for any employees on the job.

Always ask for a current certificate of insurance before work begins. Roofing is one of the most hazardous trades — the Bureau of Labor Statistics consistently ranks roofing among the top industries for work-related fatalities. If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor lacks workers' compensation coverage, you could face liability.

What are the risks of hiring an unlicensed roofer in Michigan?

Hiring an unlicensed roofer in Michigan creates serious financial and legal exposure. An estimated $17 billion is lost annually in the U.S. to contractor fraud, and roofing scams — especially after storms — are among the most common forms. Unlicensed contractors frequently take deposits and disappear, or complete work so poorly that it fails within months.

Michigan law gives homeowners a limited set of options when dealing with unlicensed contractors. You cannot file a complaint with LARA against someone who was never licensed, and small claims court may be your only recourse — assuming you can find the contractor. Licensed contractors, by contrast, can be reported to LARA, which has real enforcement authority.

What questions should you ask a Michigan roofer before hiring?

Ask for the contractor's Michigan license number, then verify it yourself at michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bpl/lic. Ask for a certificate of general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage. Get the full company name, physical address, and phone number — storm chasers and fly-by-night operations often provide only a cell number and a PO box.

Ask for references from recent Michigan roofing projects and follow up with those homeowners. A reputable roofing contractor will also pull the necessary permits for your job — if a contractor suggests skipping permits to save money, walk away.

CheckLicensed.com makes the verification step fast and easy. For $0.99, you can confirm a Michigan roofing contractor's license status instantly — without navigating government websites or wondering if you searched the right name. It's the simplest way to protect yourself before committing to a major roofing project.