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The Roofing Ledger
A publication of Eaveside

State coverage

Roofing contractors in New Jersey

New Jersey requires every home-improvement contractor — including roofers — to register annually with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs under the Contractors' Registration Act. Registration produces an NJHIC# in the format 13VH followed by eight digits, which the contractor is required to display on contracts, advertisements, and commercial vehicles. The state does not issue a separate roofing-only license; HIC registration plus written-contract requirements (over $500), commercial general liability minimums, and the $500-or-greater written-contract rule together replace what a state roofing license would do elsewhere.

Markets we cover

We cover counties and small cities in New Jersey where horizontal directories perform poorly — tier-3 and tier-4 markets where the affiliate listicles run thin and the storm-chaser pressure runs high.

How New Jersey roofer licensing works

New Jersey roofers must hold an active NJ Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration through the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs. Registration numbers begin with 13VH and must appear on every quote, contract, and commercial vehicle the contractor operates. We verify the 13VH number directly, plus the contractor's required commercial general liability insurance (statutory minimum $500K, with most credible operators carrying $1M–$2M) and the written-contract compliance for residential jobs over $500. Recent revisions to the Contractors' Registration Act have tightened disclosure and bonding expectations.

Verify any New Jersey contractor at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/ocp/Pages/hic.aspx · (973) 504-6200

Statewide storm pattern

New Jersey's storm exposure leans coastal-plain: nor'easters in the winter and shoulder seasons, Atlantic-fed summer thunderstorms, and the occasional hail cluster moving through the I-295 corridor. Hail is less frequent and less severe than the Plains/Mid-South corridor, but verified events still reach Gloucester, Camden, and Burlington Counties. NJ homeowner policies typically require roof-damage claims within 6–12 months of the loss event — a tighter window than most storm-belt states.

Questions to ask any New Jersey contractor

  1. What is your 13VH NJ HIC registration number?
  2. Send me your Certificate of Insurance with a callable agent.
  3. Will you pull the building permit in your own name?
  4. What is your manufacturer certification — and at what tier?
  5. Will you put the workmanship warranty in writing in the contract?

A legitimate contractor answers all of these without friction. Hesitation, deflection, or refusal to put answers in writing is itself the signal.

Standards we apply

Every contractor we feature in New Jersey clears the same five basics: an active state credential where applicable, $1M+ general liability verified by phone, workers’ compensation, a clean public record, and a real physical office in the market. We then score the contractor on seven weighted criteria. Our research methodology is published in full.