Roofer Licenses – Danger Ahead
The Hidden Dangers of Problematic Licenses
When it comes to protecting your home, few things are as vital as a strong, well-installed roof. But choosing the right contractor or roofing company is just as important as selecting the right materials. Homeowners across Long Island often assume that any licensed roofing contractor is trustworthy—but unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
The License Game: How Some Contractors and Roofing Companies Hide Their Past
In the roofing industry, a clean license is a sign of integrity, reliability, and commitment to excellence. Yet, many companies with a history of unresolved complaints or poor workmanship have found ways to bypass accountability. Some simply apply for a new license under a different name, effectively erasing their past mistakes from the public eye. Others operate under multiple business identities, making it difficult for homeowners to uncover their track record.
Sounds pretty sneaky, right? That’s because it is.
These tactics allow subpar contractors to continue working—often leaving homeowners with faulty roofs, wasted money, and no recourse when problems arise. A roof is one of the biggest investments a homeowner can make, and trusting an unreliable contractor can lead to costly repairs down the line.
Not only do you risk serious financial loss, but you’re also taking a huge risk with your health and safety. This concern is so serious that unlicensed contractors are literally subject to arrest and seizure of their assets if caught.
Just look at this News12 report on an unlicensed contractor who went as far as forging permits for the work that was to be done:
Suffolk DA: Unlicensed contractor charged for presenting forged permit to customer
A Warning About Home Improvement Websites and Apps
You might be thinking “Well, I’ll just use an online app to find a licensed pro”, however, many people don’t know that these sites don’t usually guarantee the pro is licensed or screened thoroughly. Check out this article below to see just what we’re talking about.
Pretty shocking, right? Who would expect these big online companies to allow this kind of activity? Unfortunately, we know what they do and we are forced to compete with these unfair practices. However, we also know most homeowners have no idea this goes on and it leaves them vulnerable, which is why we always educate our customers to help protect them now, and into the future.
So when you think about big corporate companies like Angie’s List that help you find “contractors”, keep in mind that they aren’t necessarily looking out for you and making sure their providers are the best. Instead, they’re just marketing far more than smaller businesses can afford and performing background checks that do little more than help ensure you don’t hire a criminal with a record.
At the end of the day, those big companies make money on both ends of the deal, but small businesses that employ experienced professionals are “drowned out” by these giants and the best service provider for you might get lost in the crowd.
How To Research Contractor and Roofing Company Licenses
When you’re ready to start your next renovation or repair project, it’s a critical step to check the license(s) of any company you’re considering to be involved.
Since almost every home repair or renovation project starts with getting estimates for the work you need done, the process of identifying a contractor’s license (or lack thereof) is fairly simple.
Step 1) Check any estimates for displayed license information.
If no license is on the estimate, that’s your first “red flag” warning sign and you will likely need to ask the contractor for it. You can also search by business name if you’re not comfortable asking for a license number, however, keep in mind that some companies operate under a different name (DBA) than their registered business name.
Step 2) Do a license search in your county using the available search tools – for Long Islanders, use the links below for Suffolk and Nassau County License lookup tools:
Suffolk County – DCA
Nassau County – Search Businesses With Valid Licenses
Step 3) Review the results of your search to identify valid license(s) and insurance.
If the company you’re searching for does not come up in any results, that’s your second “red flag” warning sign that the company you’re dealing with may not be properly licensed.
If the company does appear, review the information to make sure the license is valid. For Nassau County, the “Status” will say “Licensed” and for Suffolk County, the status will say “Active”
Additionally, for Nassau County, you can also confirm insurance coverage with the same lookup tool.
Better Business Bureau: Search For Complaints
Once you’ve identified the company’s license information, or, if you didn’t find one but still want to research the company, the next step will be to check the Better Business Bureau for any record of complaints.
Use the Search tool below on the Better Business Bureau’s site to lookup the company for any issues or complaints:
Search the BBB Directory | Better Business Bureau
If you do find complaints against the company you’re searching, that’s the third “red flag” warning sign and is an indication that working with such a company is leaving you at a high risk of problems or financial loss with your project.
While no one is perfect, and issues can occur for legitimate reasons, this is an important step in researching any company to see if they’ve handled past complaints professionally, or, if they have a history of negligence towards their customers.
Online Reviews: Less Than Reliable
While online reviews can be helpful to see what past customer experiences may have been like, they’re also to be taken very lightly.
The internet is absolutely full of fake reviews, often paid for by companies to enhance their online appearance but do not reflect a real customer’s experience. So, while it’s always worth taking a look, stick to more reliable sources like State or County records, along with the BBB for information about a business.
Leak Stoppers Inc.: Clean Licenses for Over 26 Years
At Leak Stoppers Inc., we’ve worked incredibly hard to build our reputation on honesty, advanced skills, and unwavering dedication to our customers. Since our founding in 1999, we’ve proudly maintained a clean license in both Nassau and Suffolk counties—something we’ve put a lot of time and effort into to uphold. When homeowners choose Leak Stoppers Inc., they’re not just hiring a roofing company; they’re partnering with a team that stands by its work and its word.
We also believe that a roofing company should do more than just install a roof. That’s why we guarantee our workmanship, ensuring that our customers receive lasting value from every project we take on. Beyond that, we help homeowners maximize their roof manufacturer’s warranty, making sure they get the full protection their roofing materials offer.
The Long-Term Value of Choosing a Trusted Roofing Company
Choosing a reputable, licensed roofing company is not just about avoiding bad experiences—it’s about investing in your home’s future. A well-installed, properly maintained roof can mean the difference between years of security, or endless, costly repairs. By working with a company like Leak Stoppers Inc., homeowners can rest easy knowing their investment is safeguarded by professionals who take pride in their work.
Don’t let deceptive contractors put your home at risk. Make the right choice from the start and trust a company that has spent over 26 years proving its commitment to Long Island homeowners.
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At Leak Stoppers Inc., we stop leaks before they start— so don’t wait until roofing or structural issues cost you thousands—protect your home now with expert roofing solutions backed by our clean license and guaranteed workmanship.
Special Offer: Mention this blog post when booking your roofing or home waterproofing project, and you’ll instantly receive 5% off!
Call us today at 631-669-1570 or click here to request a free estimate and experience the Leak Stoppers difference!