How Much Does It Cost to Start a Roofing Company?
Last updated: May 2026
National Average
Low
$15,000
Medium
$60,000
High
$180,000
A licensed construction business specializing in roof installation, repair, and replacement for residential and commercial properties.
Time to Launch
1-4 months
Profit Margins
20-40%
Break-Even Timeline
3-9 months
Interactive Cost Calculator
Select a state below to see state-adjusted costs.
Startup Cost Calculator
Roofing Company in Nationally
Budget:
$20,000
$10,000
$2,500
$15,000
$8,000
$2,000
$5,000
$1,500
Options
Employees:
Startup Costs
$64,000
Monthly Costs
$10,000
First Year Total
$184,000
Startup Costs by State
| State | Low | Medium | High | LLC Fee | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $11,550 | $46,200 | $138,600 | $50 | 7.0% |
| West Virginia | $11,550 | $46,200 | $138,600 | $100 | 6.0% |
| Oklahoma | $12,000 | $48,000 | $144,000 | $100 | 4.5% |
| Alabama | $12,150 | $48,600 | $145,800 | $200 | 4.0% |
| Arkansas | $12,150 | $48,600 | $145,800 | $45 | 6.5% |
| North Dakota | $12,300 | $49,200 | $147,600 | $135 | 5.0% |
| Iowa | $12,450 | $49,800 | $149,400 | $50 | 6.0% |
| Kansas | $12,450 | $49,800 | $149,400 | $160 | 6.5% |
| Missouri | $12,450 | $49,800 | $149,400 | $50 | 4.2% |
| South Dakota | $12,450 | $49,800 | $149,400 | $150 | 4.2% |
| Kentucky | $12,600 | $50,400 | $151,200 | $40 | 6.0% |
| Louisiana | $12,600 | $50,400 | $151,200 | $100 | 5.0% |
| Wyoming | $12,600 | $50,400 | $151,200 | $100 | 4.0% |
| Nebraska | $12,750 | $51,000 | $153,000 | $105 | 5.5% |
| Indiana | $12,900 | $51,600 | $154,800 | $95 | 7.0% |
| Michigan | $13,200 | $52,800 | $158,400 | $50 | 6.0% |
| Ohio | $13,200 | $52,800 | $158,400 | $99 | 5.8% |
| New Mexico | $13,500 | $54,000 | $162,000 | $50 | 4.9% |
| South Carolina | $13,500 | $54,000 | $162,000 | $110 | 6.0% |
| Wisconsin | $13,650 | $54,600 | $163,800 | $130 | 5.0% |
| Tennessee | $13,800 | $55,200 | $165,600 | $300 | 7.0% |
| Texas | $13,800 | $55,200 | $165,600 | $300 | 6.3% |
| Georgia | $14,100 | $56,400 | $169,200 | $100 | 4.0% |
| Minnesota | $14,100 | $56,400 | $169,200 | $155 | 6.9% |
| Illinois | $14,250 | $57,000 | $171,000 | $150 | 6.3% |
| Idaho | $14,400 | $57,600 | $172,800 | $100 | 6.0% |
| North Carolina | $14,400 | $57,600 | $172,800 | $125 | 4.8% |
| Pennsylvania | $14,400 | $57,600 | $172,800 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Montana | $14,550 | $58,200 | $174,600 | $35 | 0.0% |
| Utah | $15,000 | $60,000 | $180,000 | $54 | 6.1% |
| Delaware | $15,600 | $62,400 | $187,200 | $110 | 0.0% |
| Nevada | $15,750 | $63,000 | $189,000 | $425 | 6.8% |
| Virginia | $16,050 | $64,200 | $192,600 | $100 | 5.3% |
| Vermont | $16,350 | $65,400 | $196,200 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Arizona | $16,500 | $66,000 | $198,000 | $50 | 5.6% |
| Colorado | $16,500 | $66,000 | $198,000 | $50 | 2.9% |
| Florida | $16,800 | $67,200 | $201,600 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Oregon | $16,800 | $67,200 | $201,600 | $100 | 0.0% |
| Rhode Island | $16,800 | $67,200 | $201,600 | $150 | 7.0% |
| Maine | $17,100 | $68,400 | $205,200 | $175 | 5.5% |
| New Hampshire | $17,550 | $70,200 | $210,600 | $102 | 0.0% |
| Washington | $17,700 | $70,800 | $212,400 | $200 | 6.5% |
| Connecticut | $17,850 | $71,400 | $214,200 | $120 | 6.3% |
| Maryland | $18,150 | $72,600 | $217,800 | $100 | 6.0% |
| New Jersey | $18,750 | $75,000 | $225,000 | $125 | 6.6% |
| Alaska | $19,050 | $76,200 | $228,600 | $250 | 0.0% |
| New York | $20,850 | $83,400 | $250,200 | $200 | 4.0% |
| California | $22,800 | $91,200 | $273,600 | $70 | 7.3% |
| Massachusetts | $23,100 | $92,400 | $277,200 | $500 | 6.3% |
| Hawaii | $28,950 | $115,800 | $347,400 | $50 | 4.0% |
Cheapest & Most Expensive States
5 Cheapest States
- Mississippi$46,200
- West Virginia$46,200
- Oklahoma$48,000
- Alabama$48,600
- Arkansas$48,600
5 Most Expensive States
- Hawaii$115,800
- Massachusetts$92,400
- California$91,200
- New York$83,400
- Alaska$76,200
Frequently Asked Questions
Starting a roofing company spans a wide range. A solo roofer with basic tools, a used truck, and proper insurance can start in the low-to-mid five figures. A four-to-six person crew with a truck, trailer, full tool set, and marketing budget requires meaningfully more — well into the six figures. A larger company with multiple crews requires materially more capital. Use the calculator on this page to model your specific scenario.
Residential roof replacement jobs net a meaningful four-figure profit per job depending on size and materials. A typical 2,000 sq ft shingle replacement contract is a low-to-mid five-figure ticket with materials and labor consuming the bulk of revenue. Net margins are healthy with efficient crews and good material pricing.
Licensing varies dramatically by state. States like Florida, Texas, and California require specific roofing contractor licenses. Many states require only a general contractor license. Some states have no roofing license requirements at all. All states require general liability insurance and workers compensation to legally operate.
Top sources: storm damage canvassing after hail/wind events — the most profitable immediate channel, Google search ('roofing contractor near me'), referrals from satisfied customers and real estate agents, Google Ads for 'roof replacement' keywords, and relationships with insurance adjusters and restoration companies.
Roofing peaks in spring and fall when weather is mild. Summer heat limits outdoor work hours. Winter work is restricted in northern states by cold and snow. Storm season (spring-fall in many regions) drives the most profitable emergency replacement work. Companies in storm-prone areas (Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Colorado) can do enormous volume following major hail events.
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