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HiringRoof Leak RepairLicensed pro

Who should I call for a roof leak?

Call a licensed roofer first, and your homeowners insurer the same day if the leak is active. A leak repair worth $1,000 or more needs a Virginia licensed contractor, so check the licence on DPOR's lookup, get at least three written bids, limit the deposit, and ask the roofer to explain exactly where the water is getting in.

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.

Call a licensed roofer first. 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] If the leak is active, also call your homeowners insurer the same day.

Who handles what

A roofer. The right call for shingles, flashing, vents, valleys, skylights and the roof deck. The same Board definition includes roofing system components when installed in conjunction with a roofing project, and application of dampproofing or waterproofing.[1] Roofers also tend to know how to make a roof watertight for now while a full repair is planned.

Your insurance company. If the leak followed a storm or other sudden damage, the Virginia State Corporation Commission says you should contact your insurance agent or company immediately.[5] It adds that you should protect your property from further loss or damage and keep a record of what you spend on emergency temporary repairs.[5]

A specialist, sometimes. The roof is not always the source. The USDA Forest Service says many apparent roof leaks are really flashing leaks.[4] A chimney, skylight, plumbing vent or wall junction may need a roofer who does that kind of detail work, a mason for a chimney, or a plumber if the water is really from a pipe or condensation. A good roofer will tell you when the cause is not the roof.

Not a handyman. DPOR says that if the work you are considering 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] A leak repair can cross that line once labour and materials are counted, and DPOR warns 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]

Two views of classroom ceilings with water-stained tiles, some tiles removed to show the pipes and framing above
U.S. Government Accountability Office from Washington, DC, United States, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Choosing the right roofer

DPOR says that if you want only roofing 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 contractor's license is valid.[2]
  • Ask what caused the leak and how they know, with photos taken on your roof. A roofer who cannot explain the entry point may be guessing.
  • Get at least three written bids or estimates using identical plans and specifications so you can compare prices and contractors.[2] Do not automatically accept the lowest bid.
  • Ask what the quote covers: the repair itself, any wet decking or insulation that needs replacing, cleanup, and a written workmanship warranty.
  • Ask whether the roofer will give a short-term fix now and a quote for the permanent repair, so an emergency does not lock you into a price.

DPOR's rule of thumb for deposits is to pay 10 percent down or $1,000, whichever amount is less.[3] Insist on a written contract, do not pay in cash, and keep records of every payment and document.

Storm season and door knockers

After a storm, DPOR says to be wary of door-to-door solicitations promising repairs at a discounted price.[3] A roofer who appears at your door, finds damage you cannot see from the ground and asks for money first deserves a second opinion. Your insurance company can also tell you what documentation it needs, so you are not rushed into signing over a claim or paying for work it will not recognise.

When to call a licensed pro

For any work on the roof. Falls and wet surfaces are one reason, and the licence is another. Before you sign, confirm on DPOR's lookup that the contractor's licence is valid for roofing work. If the leak is still active, read what to do when your roof starts leaking for what to do indoors while you wait, and what roof flashing is, a common place for leaks to start.

Browse more roofing answers or roofing businesses. To get quotes for your own roof, describe the leak and add photos and licensed local roofers respond.

Common questions

Should I call a roofer or my insurance company first?
Do both the same day. Call your insurer promptly, since the Virginia SCC says to contact them immediately, and call a licensed roofer to stop more water getting in. Keep records of what the roofer does as an emergency repair.
Is a handyman fine for a small roof leak?
Not if the work is valued at $1,000 or more. DPOR says a Virginia Contractor's License is required at that value, and the Board may not be able to help with a complaint against an unlicensed contractor.
Could the leak be something other than the roof?
Yes. The USDA Forest Service says many apparent roof leaks are really flashing leaks, and water can also come from plumbing or condensation. A good roofer will check the whole path and tell you if the roof is not the cause.
How much deposit is reasonable?
DPOR advises paying 10 percent down or $1,000, whichever amount is less, unless the job needs custom-made or special-order items. Get the payment schedule in a written contract and do not pay in cash.
What if a roofer knocks on my door after a storm?
Be cautious. DPOR says to be wary of door-to-door solicitations promising repairs at a discounted price. Check the licence on DPOR's lookup and get a second quote before agreeing to anything.

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] Virginia Homeowners Insurance Guide, Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Insurance. Checked October 27, 2026.

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