Roofer vs general contractor: who should do my roof replacement?

For a standalone roof replacement, a specialty roofer is the right choice in almost every case. For a major remodel where the roof is one of many trades, a general contractor managing a licensed roofing sub is the right structure.

Why a specialty roofer for a standalone replacement:

1. Trade license. A roofing-specific contractor holds the roofing license (California C-39 Roofing Contractor, Florida CCC, Arizona C-42, Oregon CCB with roofing endorsement). The qualifying party's depth is in roofing specifically — not GC management. In no-license states (Texas, Colorado), a specialty roofer typically has years of dedicated roofing experience the GC doesn't.

2. Manufacturer certifications. Asphalt-shingle manufacturers (GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning, IKO, Atlas) offer extended warranties (25-50 years) only when installation is performed by a certified contractor — GAF Master Elite, CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster, Owens Corning Platinum Preferred. These certifications require ongoing training, minimum project volume, and continuing-education compliance. Most GCs don't carry them.

3. Workers compensation for fall risk. Roofing is the highest-fall-risk residential trade. A specialty roofer's WC policy is priced for roofing (and is more expensive per dollar of payroll than any other trade). A GC who subs the roof to a roofer is covered; a GC who self-performs the roof may not have appropriate WC coverage.

4. Crew specialization. Specialty roofing crews work on roofs daily — pitch, footing, harness, sequencing, dry-in, valley flashing, step flashing, drip edge, ridge ventilation. A GC's general framing crew doing the roof is slower and lower quality.

5. Single-trade focus. A standalone roof replacement has one trade. A GC overhead (10-20% markup) for managing one trade is unnecessary.

Why a GC managing a licensed roofer for a major remodel:

1. Coordination across trades. If you're adding a second story, replacing the roof IS part of the addition. The framing crew, the roofer, the electrician (for relocated solar or new fixtures), and the inspector all need sequencing. A GC handles this.

2. Permitting. A whole-house permit covers multiple trades. The GC pulls the master permit and the trades pull sub-permits.

3. Single point of accountability. With multiple trades, the GC owns the schedule and the result. If the roofer falls behind, the GC manages that, not you.

4. Contract structure. A whole-remodel contract is structurally different from a single-trade contract.

When the decision goes wrong:

- A GC self-performing the roof without a roofing sub. The GC's framing crew installs the roof. Manufacturer warranty fails because the installer wasn't a certified roofer. Workmanship suffers. The GC has no manufacturer certification.

- A specialty roofer trying to coordinate a multi-trade remodel. The roofer doesn't have permits structured for the broader project. Other trades fall out of sequence.

- A storm-chaser pitching themselves as a "general contractor" when they're not licensed as either a GC or a roofer in your state. See the roofer-storm-chaser-scam topic.

Verification approach for both cases:

For a specialty roofer: - State roofing license (where required): California C-39, Florida CCC, Arizona C-42, Oregon CCB. - Manufacturer certification: GAF Master Elite, CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster, Owens Corning Platinum Preferred (verified at the manufacturer's website). - Workers compensation carrier (verified by direct call). - BBB record and county court records for prior complaints. - In no-license states: Secretary of State entity registration with at least 3 years of in-state history.

For a GC managing a roofer: - State GC license: California B-General Building, Arizona ROC B-1/B-2, Florida CBC/CRC, North Carolina NCLBGC. - Named roofer sub in contract with their license number. - Lien waivers from the roofing sub at every payment milestone. - Workers compensation for both GC and sub, verified by direct call to each carrier.

Groundcheck (earthmove.io/trust) verifies both specialty roofer and GC licenses, surfaces phoenix-company patterns, court records (mechanics liens, fraud judgments), OSHA citations, and BBB complaints. The matching state page at earthmove.io/trust/license/roofer/[state] documents the exact licensing structure for your jurisdiction.