Texas came out on top in WalletHub’s 2021 study, earning the #1 ranking as the best place to start a business. Starting a roofing company in Texas is an exciting—and lucrative—place to do so. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s 2020 report, Texas experienced an average of 195 severe hail days between 2017 and 2019. In 2022, multiple hail storms and high winds have already battered the area, causing house and car damage. Texans require the expert help of a qualified roofer to repair and replace damaged roofs and help them prepare their “Hail Alley” homes for storms.
To start a roofing company in Texas, you follow similar steps that you would for any other business. For example, you need to develop a catchy business name that meets Texas’s naming rules. You should also pick an entity type and register it with the Texas Secretary of State. Next, you’ll register for and pay taxes, get insurance, and apply for a voluntary license from the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT).
The Curley Law Firm helps Texans start and run businesses throughout the Lone Star State. We can help you understand how to start a roofing business in Texas and help you do the heavy lifting of protecting your investment. Don’t hesitate to contact us today.
How to Start a Roofing Company in Texas
Situations vary, but here are some common steps to starting a roofing company in Texas.
Come Up With a Business Name
There are thousands of roofing companies in Texas. Make yours stand out by coming up with a catchy name that is memorable and conveys something about your business. Questions that can help you brainstorm include:
- What will your roofing business do that others don’t?
- What sets your roofing company apart?
- What do you want customers to think of when they think of your business?
- How does the name sound out loud?
Don’t be afraid to ask trusted friends or family members about how your name sounds. They may have ideas, too.
Once you land on the name you want, you can reserve it with the Texas Secretary of State or file for trademark protection. Doing so helps make sure that no one else can take the name.
A business attorney can help you with this process.
The Curley Law Firm has over a decade of experience helping Texas entrepreneurs start and protect their small and midsize businesses. Nothing can truly replace the advice of a qualified and knowledgeable attorney.
Pick a Business Entity and Register It with the Texas Secretary of State
Of all the steps for how to start a roofing company in Texas, the one that is arguably the most important is picking and registering your business entity. Do it right the first time and talk to a legal professional who understands the business, the market, and the law.
Limited liability companies (LLCs), corporations, and partnerships are examples of business types. The type of entity that you choose for your company determines how much you pay in taxes, who manages the business, and other essential details.
LLCs can be a beneficial business type, especially for those who are just starting out. They provide you with the tax benefits of a corporation but allow the flexibility of a partnership. In most cases, you don’t need to hold formal meetings (except to vote on important business decisions).
Adam Curley is a Houston Heights lawyer helping people like you throughout Texas start, run, and manage their small companies. Our team understands your business is essential to you and will work to develop a plan that fits your needs and your budget.
Apply for an EIN, Open a Bank Account, and Register for Business Taxes
Once the Texas Secretary of State accepts your registration documents, your business officially exists, legally speaking. Now, you must register with the Texas Comptroller and the IRS to get a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) and its state equivalent. The EIN is like your company’s social security number, which you will use to register for business taxes and open a business bank account.
Write Internal Documents
Many business owners get caught up with the momentum and don’t draft internal documents. Don’t make this mistake. Spending time writing internal legal paperwork may seem unnecessary or expensive. After all, you might think, “We’re just getting started. We don’t have time or need to do all that.”
But consider that you stand to lose everything you built if you don’t commit the important stuff to writing. Internal documents, like the operating agreement, say who owns what portion of the company, who gets to vote on important matters, and what happens if someone leaves. Frequently, business disputes stem from miscommunication and misunderstandings—most of which could all have been avoided by putting it down in writing early on.
That’s where Curley Law Firm comes in. We understand you’re busy and want to take the most effective and efficient steps to protect your legal rights while not getting you bogged down in legal paperwork. As a business guy, Adam Curley knows firsthand that your time and money are precious.
What Are the Requirements to Start a Roofing Company in Texas?
In addition to the above steps, you will also want to get the appropriate business insurance. For example, you will need to get workers’ compensation and liability insurance.
While not required, we highly recommend that you and your team get a voluntary roofing license from the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas.
Curley Law Firm—The Business Firm Texas Trusts
Adam Curley commits himself to serving Texans. He lives and works in Houston Heights, doing his part to propel the community forward. He’s also a business owner and a lawyer with experience working for big law firms, giving him a valuable perspective. Call the Curley Law Firm today at 832-225-3448, or contact us online.