For decades, getting a roof in Texas has been an unregulated gamble. As the industry moves toward higher standards of accountability, homeowners are looking for ways to protect their investments. The push for HB 3344 reflects a growing movement to end the ‘storm chaser’ era and bring professional oversight to roofing contractors across Texas.

The law responds to a long-standing industry crisis. Broad market data indicates that approximately 96% of roofing companies fail within their first five years. This lack of longevity often leaves homeowners with worthless warranties and no recourse for faulty repairs. 

At Regenesis Roofing & Restoration, we are already ahead of these upcoming requirements, ensuring our clients receive the stability and professional standard that the new law aims to institutionalize.

Quick Reads – Texas Roofing Wins

This law ensures safer, more professional roofing across Texas.

• HB 3344 creates a mandatory state license for roofers, ending Texas’s unregulated era.
• The law targets “storm chasers” who exploit disasters after hailstorms.
• Licensing gives you leverage in insurance disputes where estimates can be wildly wrong.

The Old Problem: An Industry Built on Collapse

You could see it in the numbers, a slow disaster. Over nine thousand roofing businesses work in Texas. Yet 96 percent of them fail within five years. That’s not normal. It leaves homeowners with worthless warranties and unfinished repairs. Regenesis Roofing is already aligning with these upcoming state standards, helping homeowners navigate the transition before enforcement begins.

In Williamson County alone, they logged 21 formal complaints about roofing scams. One Georgetown resident lost eight thousand dollars. Another lost twenty-two thousand. These weren’t rare. They were common.

According to Community Impact, a hailstorm hit Georgetown in May 2020. The city normally issued four hundred roofing permits a year. After that storm, they issued five thousand four hundred eighty-eight, a 1,272 percent increase. That desperate demand created a perfect hunting ground for unlicensed, transient roofers, the storm chasers. 

They’d flood an area, do bad work, and vanish. Homeowners who know how to identify hail damage on a roof are better equipped to spot poor work before it becomes a costly problem. HB 3344 was built to stop that cycle.

What HB 3344 Actually Does

The proposed framework under HB 3344 aims to ensure that any contractor doing reroofing work in Texas meets professional standards. These proposals include mandatory licensing through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), background checks, and clear accountability for workmanship. While these measures are currently under legislative review, Regenesis Roofing & Restoration is already adopting these standards voluntarily to provide our customers with the transparency they deserve.

If passed, such a framework would introduce a state-managed registry for roofers, replacing the current decentralized verification process. Instead of relying solely on general online reviews, homeowners would have a clear, state-backed list to verify a contractor’s credentials.

Ideally, this would create a necessary barrier against the ‘storm chaser’ cycle, ensuring that only accountable, professional entities can operate after a major hail event. This level of accountability is exactly what homeowners need to protect their investment, particularly during the critical period when insurance claims are processed and final repairs are made.

The Real Cost: When Insurance Estimates Fail You

Here’s where a licensed contractor becomes your advocate. Roofing is about insurance claims, and unfortunately, insurance estimates are often wildly off.

According to Insurance Business, insurance company vs. independent adjuster estimates can differ by 89 times. In a recent San Antonio lawsuit, the insurer valued damage at just $1,985, while the policyholder’s assessment reached $177,228, a staggering 89-to-1 gap. This massive discrepancy underscores why Texas homeowners need licensed, experienced roofers who can accurately assess how much hail damage to replace a roof and advocate for fair, accurate claims.

This means the roofer you choose must be more than just a repairman; they must understand the insurance process. A licensed contractor, bound by state regulations, is far more likely to have the professionalism and documentation skills necessary to bridge that gap and ensure you aren’t left holding the bag.

Matt Werling, founder of Regenesis Roofing in Cedar Park, puts it bluntly. “I’ve seen too many fly-by-night roofers come and go after a big storm,” he says. “Homeowners are left holding the bag. I support licensing because it separates professionals from predators.”

Licensed vs. Unlicensed: A Clear Choice

The difference between hiring a licensed or unlicensed contractor is stark. Understanding common roof leak causes in Georgetown can help homeowners choose a professional who addresses issues properly rather than temporary fixes. The table below shows the risks you avoid with a licensed professional.

Your Action Plan Before the Next Storm

Homeowners are currently in a transition period where industry standards are rising. This is your opportunity to use the principles of the proposed HB 3344 as a filter when hiring a contractor. Even before these regulations are fully mandated, you should ask every roofing company about their qualifications, certifications, and commitment to the industry’s best practices. As Matt Werling of Regenesis Roofing & Restoration suggests, a simple question like ‘What is your professional certification status?’ can help you filter out the professionals from the predators.

This is crucial in Cedar Park, or any Texas community. The next hailstorm is inevitable. The surge in permits will happen again. But now, you have a tool. A list. A legal requirement.

• Verify a contractor’s awareness of the TDLR process.
• Ask for their license application status.
• Confirm professional certifications.
• Never hire a roofer who demands your full insurance check upfront.

FAQ

What are the Texas roofing license HB 3344 requirements for new contractors?

The Texas roofing contractor licensing law under HB 3344 sets clear requirements, including TDLR applications, license exams, and background checks. At Regenesis Roofing, we fully support these standards as they provide homeowners with the transparency they deserve. We prioritize these requirements to ensure every project we handle meets the highest state-mandated safety and professional benchmarks.

How do I check a Texas roofing contractor license number?

Once the licensing framework is finalized and implemented, homeowners will be able to verify credentials via the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) website. Currently, we recommend vetting contractors through professional certifications, long-standing local reputations, and verified insurance documentation. 

What protections exist under the Texas roofing contractor consumer protection act?

The Texas roofing contractor consumer protection act safeguards homeowners from illegal roofing work Texas, substandard workmanship, and insurance fraud. The proposed legislation aims to establish clear rules for written contracts, disclosure, and a formal complaint process through the TDLR. By choosing a contractor who voluntarily adheres to these high standards now, homeowners can enjoy a similar level of protection and accountability.

What is the current status of the Texas roofing license?

The proposed legislation, HB 3344, is part of an ongoing effort to bring state-level licensing to the Texas roofing industry. While these regulations are still being shaped, Regenesis Roofing is already operating under these high standards, ensuring that our customers benefit from professional-grade workmanship, insurance advocacy, and long-term warranties regardless of the current legislative timeline.

Are there specific contract and advertising rules for Texas roofing contractors?

Yes, HB 3344 mandates roofing contractor contract requirements Texas, including bid requirements, project scope, timelines, and lien rights. Advertising rules Texas and marketing guidelines ensure transparency and prevent fraud. Compliance with written roofing contracts, warranty standards, and disclosure rules protects both contractors and consumers, keeping roofing contractor enforcement Texas fair while promoting quality workmanship and OSHA compliance.

Turning Regulation into Protection

HB 3344 changes the game. It turns a chaotic market into one with rules. Your job is to play by those new rules. Ask the questions. Demand the license. Seek the advocates. The data tells the story: an industry waiting for a storm to exploit. 

The law is the response. Make it your response too. Your roof is your home’s first defense. Now you have a defense in choosing who builds it. With the industry shifting toward higher standards, now is the time to work with a contractor already operating by the principles of HB 3344. Learn more or get started with Regenesis Roofing & Restoration.

References

• https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/risk-compliance-legal/motel-owner-sues-insurer-alleging-it-lowballed-storm-damage-by-175k-565489.aspx
• https://communityimpact.com/austin/georgetown/government/2021/07/22/roofing-scam-complaints-lead-georgetown-officials-to-consider-how-to-protect-residents