How to Verify a Licensed, Insured Roofer in Grand Rapids
A licensed, insured roofer in Kent County is required by Michigan law before real re-roofing work begins — not just a nice-to-have. Michigan requires a Residential Builder license, issued and tracked by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), to legally perform residential roofing work, and the City of Grand Rapids requires a building permit for every re-roof, even a shingle-only swap, which puts a licensed contractor’s name on record with the city. Grand Rapids Roofing Pros is an independent dispatch service that connects homeowners with licensed local roofers — this guide shows you how to verify a license and insurance yourself, whether or not you match through us.
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Quick answer: how do I verify a roofer’s license and insurance?
Quick answer: Ask for the roofer’s Michigan license number and look it up yourself using LARA’s free online verification tool. Then ask for a current certificate of insurance showing general liability coverage, and if they have employees, confirm workers’ compensation coverage — Michigan law requires it once an employer regularly has three or more employees. Finally, confirm they intend to pull the required City of Grand Rapids re-roofing permit in their own name, not leave it to you.
What does Michigan actually require of a roofer?
Michigan requires a Residential Builder license to legally perform residential roofing work, issued and tracked by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). LARA maintains a free public tool for confirming a license is current, which is the fastest way to check before any work starts — not just trusting a badge on a website or a truck door.
A license alone isn’t proof the work will be code-compliant, though. In Grand Rapids, that proof comes from the permit process: the City requires a building permit for every re-roof, even a shingle-only swap, and a permitted job gets inspected — which is the mechanism that actually confirms the code-required eave ice barrier (R905.1.2) went in correctly.
3 things to ask for
- Michigan license number
- Current certificate of insurance
- Confirmation of who pulls the permit
How do I check if a roofer is licensed in Michigan?
Ask for the license number
A licensed Michigan roofer can provide a Residential Builder license number on request.
Search LARA’s free tool
Look the number up at LARA’s online license verification search to confirm it’s current and in good standing.
Confirm insurance
Ask for a current certificate of insurance showing general liability coverage before work starts.
Check for employees
If they have a crew, confirm workers’ compensation coverage — required under Michigan law at three or more regular employees.
What insurance should a licensed roofer carry?
General liability, always
Current general liability insurance is a condition of holding a Michigan Residential Builder license. Ask to see the certificate directly, not just be told it exists.
Workers’ compensation, if they have a crew
Michigan law (MCL 418.115) requires workers’ compensation coverage for employers who regularly employ three or more people, or one employee working 35+ hours a week for 13+ weeks a year.
Permit as the real-world check
A contractor pulling the required Grand Rapids permit in their own name puts their license on record with the city for that specific job — a strong practical signal beyond a verbal claim.
What the requirements actually say
Issues and tracks the Residential Builder license required to legally roof in Michigan.
MCL 418.115 requires coverage once an employer regularly has three or more workers.
The City of Grand Rapids requires one even for a shingle-only replacement.
Michigan code mandates an eave ice-and-water membrane in every county.
Sources: Michigan LARA — Find/Verify a Licensed Professional or Business · Michigan Legislature — MCL 418.115 · City of Grand Rapids permit rule · Roof Assembly Requirements (MI Residential Code).
Questions Grand Rapids homeowners ask
Is a roofing license legally required in Michigan?+
Yes. Michigan requires a Residential Builder license to legally perform residential roofing work, issued and tracked by LARA.
How do I check if a roofer’s Michigan license is real?+
Ask for their license number and search it using LARA’s free online license verification tool, which is updated daily and open to the public.
What insurance should a licensed roofer carry?+
Current general liability insurance at minimum, and workers’ compensation coverage if they regularly employ three or more people, per Michigan law (MCL 418.115). Ask to see a certificate of insurance directly.
Does a license guarantee code-compliant work?+
Not by itself. The permit and inspection process is what actually confirms code-required details, like the eave ice barrier, were installed correctly — which is why confirming who pulls the permit matters as much as the license number.
How does Grand Rapids Roofing Pros vet the roofers you match me with?+
Before any match, we look for current Michigan licensing and a willingness to pull the required City of Grand Rapids permit. We still recommend every homeowner independently verify a license and insurance using the steps in this guide before work begins.
More on licensing & hiring
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