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HiringFlashing RepairLicensed pro

Who repairs chimney and roof flashing?

A licensed roofer is the usual first call for chimney and roof flashing. If the leak comes from cracked mortar or brick around the chimney, a masonry contractor may be needed too. In Virginia, work valued at $1,000 or more needs a licensed contractor, so check the licence on DPOR's lookup and get three written bids before you pay a deposit.

Free to ask. Local shops send quotes, and you pay only when you book one.

By Kasra Taheri, Founder, LoclisPublished

Researched and drafted with AI, then checked claim by claim against the sources listed below before it was published. Prices and rules change; the dates beside each source say when it was last checked.

This is a job for a licensed pro in Virginia

This page explains what the work involves, the permits, what a licensed pro does and what drives the cost. It does not give step-by-step instructions, because this work needs a licence, a permit or both, and doing it wrong can injure someone. Before you hire, check the licence on Virginia's DPOR record.

Start with a licensed roofer. Roofers repair flashing as part of roofing work, and in Virginia the Board for Contractors defines roofing contracting as the service that provides for the installation, repair, removal, or improvement of materials common to the industry that form a watertight, weather resistant surface for roofs and decks.[1] Chimney flashing sometimes involves brick and mortar as well, so for those jobs ask whether the business also does masonry or works with someone who does.

Which trade does what

Roofer (roofing contracting). The usual first call for flashing around chimneys, walls, dormers, valleys, skylights and vent pipes. The same Board definition says roofing contracting includes roofing system components when installed in conjunction with a roofing project, and application of dampproofing or waterproofing.[1]

Masonry contractor. If the leak comes from the chimney itself, such as cracked mortar joints or crumbling brick where the flashing meets the masonry, the repair is masonry work. The Board's masonry definition lists tuck pointing, sand blasting, mortar washing, parging and more.[1] Many roofers coordinate this with a mason, so ask who does the mortar work.

Home improvement contractor. The Board's home improvement specialty provides for repairs or improvements to dwellings and townhouses,[1] and it can cover roofing and masonry work on a house. Ask which trade will physically do the flashing.

Not a handyman. If the job is valued at $1,000 or more, a valid Virginia Contractor's License is required for the license category in which the contractor is to work.[2] DPOR adds that unlicensed contracting is against the law, and that if you contract with someone who does not hold a license, the Board for Contractors may not be able to help you resolve a complaint.[2]

A mason fitting copper flashing between a rebuilt brick chimney and the roof around it
NPS Photo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Choosing the right business

DPOR says that for roofing-only work you may want to hire a contractor licensed in that particular specialty.[2] Then:

  • Look the business up on DPOR's licence lookup; a license number in an advertisement or on a business card does not necessarily mean the license is valid.[2]
  • Ask for local references and call them.
  • Get at least three written bids using identical plans and specifications, and do not automatically accept the lowest.[2]
  • Ask what is being done about the cause of the leak, not just where the water shows up. The USDA Forest Service says many apparent roof leaks are really flashing leaks.[4]
  • Insist on a written contract and limit the deposit to 10 percent down or $1,000, whichever amount is less.[3]

Be careful after storms. DPOR says to be wary of door-to-door solicitations promising repairs at a discounted price.[3] A roofer who knocks, finds flashing damage you cannot see from the ground and asks for money up front deserves a second opinion. Ask for photos of the problem taken on your roof, and get a second quote before agreeing to anything. A good contractor will explain what failed, why it failed and what the repair changes, in terms you can repeat back to your insurer or a second roofer.

When to call a licensed pro

All of it. Flashing work happens on the roof, and OSHA says falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry.[5] Under the Code of Virginia, a Class C contractor can take a single job over $1,000 but less than $30,000,[6] which is the class that matches many flashing repairs; bigger jobs need a higher class. Check the licence and class before you sign.

Learn what you are hiring for in what roof flashing is, and see what flashing repair costs in Virginia. Browse all roofing answers or roofing businesses.

Describe the job and add photos, and licensed local roofers send quotes you can compare side by side.

Common questions

Should I call a roofer or a chimney sweep for a leak at the chimney?
A roofer first, because flashing is roofing work. A chimney sweep cleans and inspects flues and does not usually repair flashing. If the roofer finds the masonry itself is failing, bring in a masonry contractor.
Do I need a licensed contractor for a small flashing repair?
If the work is valued at $1,000 or more, a valid Virginia Contractor's License is required for the license category in which the contractor is to work, according to DPOR. Many flashing repairs reach that line once labour and materials are counted.
How do I check a roofer's licence in Virginia?
Use the DPOR licence lookup at dpor.virginia.gov. DPOR notes that a license number in an advertisement or on a business card does not necessarily mean the license is valid.
Who is responsible if flashing leaks again after the repair?
It depends on the contract and warranty. Get the workmanship warranty in writing, including what it covers and for how long, before work starts.
Is a roofer who knocks on my door after a storm trustworthy?
Be cautious. DPOR says to be wary of door-to-door solicitations promising repairs at a discounted price, to insist on a written contract and not to pay in cash.

Sources

  1. [1] 18VAC50-22-30. Definitions of specialty services (Board for Contractors Regulations), Virginia Administrative Code (Virginia General Assembly). Checked October 27, 2026.
  2. [2] What You Should Know Before You Hire a Contractor, Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Board for Contractors. Checked October 27, 2026.
  3. [3] Disaster Recovery: Avoiding Fraud, Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. Checked October 27, 2026.
  4. [4] Overview of Roofing Materials for Forest Service Facilities, USDA Forest Service, Missoula Technology and Development Center. Checked October 27, 2026.
  5. [5] Protecting Roofing Workers (OSHA 3755), U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Checked October 27, 2026.
  6. [6] Code of Virginia § 54.1-1100. Definitions, Code of Virginia (Virginia General Assembly). Checked October 27, 2026.

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