Dive Brief:

• Legislation introduced by a Texas state representative would create a voluntary certification program for roofing companies to help homeowners select a contractor, reports CBS11 in Dallas. Among the Gulf states, Texas is the only one without regulations targeting roofers.

• The bill comes as the state is already facing severe spring storms, which historically have drawn storm-chasers who use the volume and urgency to take down payments but then disappear without doing the work. 

• Per House Bill 3293, to participate, roofing companies would need to submit proof of existence and authority to conduct business in the state as well as carry general liability insurance. They can then advertise that they are certified by the state.

Dive Insight:

Previous attempts to implement roofer oversight initiatives in Texas have failed, so much so that one lawyer, Steve Badger, has made it his mission to speak on behalf of victims in the halls of the State House.

Consumer-protection initiatives related to roofing are popping up around the country. A similar bill to enact voluntary registration is under consideration in Missouri. In Kentucky, the governor signed a bill earlier this month that protects consumers against contractors who intentionally damage a roof to expand the scope of repair.

Voluntary certification programs such as these can help contracting companies bolster their marketability while protecting the image of the industry overall. Individual installers can do the same through initiatives such as the National Roofing Contractors Association’s ProForeman program, which focuses on safety, knowledge and leadership. 

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