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How to Choose a Roofer in South Carolina: 5 Checks Before You Sign

By the Roofers Greenville Editorial Team · Last reviewed: October 2026

Before you sign with any roofer in South Carolina, make five checks: their SC LLR license or registration, their insurance certificate, a written scope of work, a fair payment schedule, and no insurance-claim or deductible offers. Roofers must be registered for jobs over $500 (SC LLR). Whichever roofer you use, these checks apply, including on our roof replacement and roof repair jobs.

In this guide:

Check 1: Is the roofer licensed or registered in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, roofing is a residential specialty trade. Roofers must be registered with the Residential Builders Commission as residential specialty contractors for jobs over $500, and must carry a surety bond for jobs over $5,000 (SC LLR residential specialty registration).

  1. Go to the SC LLR license lookup.
  2. Search by the company’s or owner’s name, or the license number on their paperwork.
  3. Check that the registration or license is active, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
  4. For commercial work, ask the contractor which LLR license they hold and check that one.

If the lookup isn’t available, the Residential Builders Commission’s number in the LLR FAQ is 803-896-4696.

Check 2: Does the roofer carry insurance?

Ask for a current certificate of liability insurance and, if they have employees, workers’ compensation. A certificate sent directly from their insurance agent is better than a photocopy. Without coverage, an accident or damage on your property can become your problem.

Check 3: Is the scope of work in writing?

A written scope lets you compare quotes line by line. For a replacement, it should list:

  • Tear-off to the deck and disposal.
  • A per-sheet price for replacing rotten decking.
  • Synthetic underlayment, and ice-and-water shield in valleys and around penetrations.
  • New drip edge, flashing and pipe boots.
  • Ventilation.
  • The product by name, nailing to the manufacturer’s pattern, and clean-up.
  • Who pulls the permit, if one is needed.
  • The manufacturer’s warranty and the roofer’s workmanship warranty, in writing.

Want a quote to compare? Get a free estimate from a local roofer, with no obligation.

Check 4: Is the payment schedule fair?

  • Payments should be tied to work done, not mostly up front.
  • Get the full price, payment stages and what triggers each payment in the contract.
  • If insurance may pay for the job, SC law says the contractor can’t require payment until your five-business-day cancellation period ends, except for emergency work you acknowledged in writing (S.C. Code §40-59-25).

Check 5: Are there any Act 77 red flags?

South Carolina law forbids contractors from negotiating your insurance claim or offering to pay or rebate your deductible, including through discounts, sign payments or gifts. Walk away from anyone who offers either. Details are in roof insurance claims in South Carolina.

How do you spot a storm chaser?

  • They knock on doors right after a storm, often from out of state.
  • They pressure you to sign today or “before the adjuster comes”.
  • They offer to handle your claim or cover your deductible.
  • They can’t show an SC registration or a local address and phone number.
  • They ask for large payments before starting.

Greenville County sees damaging hail and wind every year (NOAA Storm Events), so storm chasers follow. Our storm damage checklist covers the first days after a storm.

How do you compare three roofing quotes?

  1. Line the quotes up item by item using the scope list above.
  2. Mark anything one quote includes and another leaves out: tear-off, decking price, ice-and-water shield, new flashing, ventilation.
  3. Compare the same product grade; an architectural shingle quote and a 3-tab quote aren’t comparable. See architectural vs 3-tab.
  4. Compare warranties: length, coverage and whether they transfer.
  5. Check the totals against national ranges in roof replacement cost in Greenville.

The cheapest quote is often the one that leaves out decking, flashing or ventilation.

Frequently asked questions

How do I verify a roofer’s license in South Carolina?

Search the roofer’s name or license number on the SC LLR license lookup and check that the registration is active and matches the company on your contract. Roofers must be registered for jobs over $500.

What questions should I ask a roofer before hiring?

Ask for their SC LLR registration, a current insurance certificate, a written scope that lists tear-off, decking price, underlayment, flashing and ventilation, the payment schedule, and both warranties in writing.

Is it a red flag if a roofer offers to cover my deductible?

Yes. It’s illegal for contractors in South Carolina under S.C. Code §40-59-25, a misdemeanor and grounds for license discipline.

Want a roofer to compare? Roofers in our network are licensed and insured, local roofers; request a free quote below and run these five checks on them too.

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Sources

Roofers Greenville is a free referral service; roofing work is performed by independent contractors in our network. How we research prices: editorial policy.

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