Short answer: As of September 2026, the five highest-scoring roofing contractors in the Rochester, NY metro on The Roofing Brief Contractor Score are Highland Contractors of Western New York (90.9), Graves Brothers Home Improvement (85.5), WNY Exteriors (76.2), Trinity Home Renovations Inc (73.0), Comfort Windows Inc (72.7). All of them carry a verifiable manufacturer certification, every rating here was cross-checked against an independent record, and no money changed hands for any placement.
The Roofing Brief scored 10 certified roofing contractors serving the Rochester metro on a published, reproducible formula, then researched each of the top five individually to confirm its record. Rochester sits in the Lake Ontario snow belt, where ice damming rather than hail is what ruins roofs, yet its severe wind record is more than twice Buffalo’s. New York issues no statewide roofing licence, so the check that exists is local: the City of Rochester requires a permit for re-roofing, applied for online with proof of workers compensation, while the surrounding towns each run their own building departments. Two President’s Club contractors lead a pool of ten, and the drop to third place is where the choice gets harder.
Quick picks for Rochester:
- Highland Contractors of Western New York: best overall (TRB Score 90.9). Verified services: roof repair, siding, windows, gutters.
- Graves Brothers Home Improvement: longest accreditation record (TRB Score 85.5). Verified services: siding, windows, gutters.
- WNY Exteriors: best for ice dam problems (TRB Score 76.2). Verified services: storm damage work, siding, gutters, windows, commercial roofing.
- Trinity Home Renovations Inc: best single-location city firm (TRB Score 73.0). Verified services: roof replacement, roof repair, siding, windows.
- Comfort Windows Inc: best for roof and windows together (TRB Score 72.7). Verified services: roof replacement, siding, windows.
Wind, terrain and the Rochester housing stock
Rochester’s severe wind record is heavier than its lake-effect reputation suggests. The decade holds 568 severe wind reports across the metro, more than twice Buffalo’s count, against 56 hail reports. On 16 June 2022 a storm the National Weather Service estimated at 100 mph or more tore through Geneseo, toppling trees and power lines without meeting the definition of a tornado. An EF2 tornado struck Phelps on 7 July 2025, and 2024 was the busiest year in the record.
Winter does the slower damage. Rochester is one of the snowiest large cities in the country, and repeated freeze and thaw on the eaves builds ice dams that push meltwater back under shingles. The fix is not on the surface: ice and water membrane at the eaves and valleys, balanced intake and exhaust ventilation, and enough attic insulation to keep the roof deck cold. A quote that covers shingles and says nothing about ventilation is incomplete for this climate.
New York has no statewide roofing licence, so the paper trail is local. The City of Rochester requires a building permit for re-roofing, applied for through its online permit system, and the application must include proof of New York workers compensation coverage or a valid exemption. Greece, Irondequoit, Penfield, Pittsford and the other towns each run their own code enforcement office with their own requirements. Ask who pulls the permit and check that the certificate of insurance names the contractor on the contract.
Hail is uncommon but not absent. The largest stones of the decade, 2.5 inches, fell at Farmington in Ontario County on 15 July 2024, and the summer storms that bring hail are the same ones that bring the damaging wind. After an event like that, check the ridge, the flashing and any lifted shingle tabs from the ground or with binoculars rather than letting an unknown crew onto the roof, and get two local inspections before signing anything.
The 5 best roofers in Rochester, NY
Scored 2026-09-17. The metro mean rating used as the Bayesian prior for Rochester is 4.67, across a pool of 10 certified contractors.
| Rank | Company | TRB Score | Certification | Rating (reviews) | Adjusted | In business since | Based in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Highland Contractors of Western New York | 90.9 | President’s Club | 4.8 (708) | 4.791 | not published | Rochester, NY |
| 2 | Graves Brothers Home Improvement | 85.5 | President’s Club | 4.7 (1,009) | 4.699 | 1977 | Spencerport, NY |
| 3 | WNY Exteriors | 76.2 | Master Elite | 5.0 (53) | 4.84 | not published | Rochester, NY |
| 4 | Trinity Home Renovations Inc | 73.0 | Master Elite | 4.7 (181) | 4.694 | 2008 | Rochester, NY |
| 5 | Comfort Windows Inc | 72.7 | Master Elite | 4.6 (804) | 4.604 | 1979 | Rochester, NY |
1. Highland Contractors of Western New York: best overall (TRB Score 90.9)
Highland Contractors of Western New York is based in Rochester, NY, BBB accredited since 10 September 2009, A+ rating, and holds President’s Club standing on the GAF certification registry.
| Score component | Points | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Certification tier | 35 | 35 |
| Adjusted rating | 31.7 | 40 |
| Review corpus depth | 14.2 | 15 |
| Metro proximity | 10.0 | 10 |
| Total | 90.9 | 100 |
Independently corroborated:
What they actually do. Roofing, siding, windows, doors, gutters, fencing, insulation, carpentry and garage doors.
Services we could verify: roof repair, siding, windows, gutters.
Why it ranks here. 708 registry reviews and 820 on Birdeye, the deepest evidence base in the Rochester pool, with seventeen years of unbroken A+ accreditation. The insulation and carpentry capability is the right combination for ice dam remediation, which is rarely a roofing-only problem.
Best fit for: Ice dam damage extending into insulation, soffit or fascia.
What we would want clarified. A published BBB review reports a missed roof repair appointment and rude office handling when the customer called. Confirm appointments in writing. We publish this because a ranking that only prints the flattering findings is an advertisement, not an assessment.
Verify the certification yourself on the GAF registry listing. The number carried on that listing is (716) 262-9354, which is the registry’s contact line and is often a directory tracking number rather than the contractor’s own: take the number from the company’s own website and compare the two.
2. Graves Brothers Home Improvement: longest accreditation record (TRB Score 85.5)
Graves Brothers Home Improvement is based in Spencerport, NY, in business since 1977, BBB accredited since 1 February 1979, and holds President’s Club standing on the GAF certification registry.
| Score component | Points | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Certification tier | 35 | 35 |
| Adjusted rating | 27.9 | 40 |
| Review corpus depth | 15.0 | 15 |
| Metro proximity | 7.6 | 10 |
| Total | 85.5 | 100 |
Independently corroborated:
- Accredited since 1 February 1979, a 47-year unbroken record, trading from 1 January 1977, averaging 4.4 out of 5 across 52 BBB customer reviews. BBB
- Nine locations across New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Company
What they actually do. Roofing, siding, windows and gutters.
Services we could verify: siding, windows, gutters.
Why it ranks here. BBB accredited since February 1979, 47 years unbroken, and 1,009 registry reviews, the largest corpus in the Rochester pool.
Best fit for: Homeowners weighting a near-half-century accreditation record.
What we would want clarified. The BBB customer average of 4.4 sits below the 4.7 registry figure, with complaints on file regarding gutter and roofing work. Also ranks in our Buffalo list. We publish this because a ranking that only prints the flattering findings is an advertisement, not an assessment.
Verify the certification yourself on the GAF registry listing. The number carried on that listing is (585) 288-3390, which is the registry’s contact line and is often a directory tracking number rather than the contractor’s own: take the number from the company’s own website and compare the two.
3. WNY Exteriors: best for ice dam problems (TRB Score 76.2)
WNY Exteriors is based in Rochester, NY, BBB a+ rating, and holds Master Elite standing on the GAF certification registry.
Certifications held: Master Elite (GAF), Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, BPI accredited. Certification by more than one manufacturer is uncommon and requires meeting each programme’s separate standards for insurance, training and track record.
| Score component | Points | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Certification tier | 24 | 35 |
| Adjusted rating | 33.6 | 40 |
| Review corpus depth | 8.6 | 15 |
| Metro proximity | 10.0 | 10 |
| Total | 76.2 | 100 |
Independently corroborated:
- A+ rated, fully insured, BPI accredited. BBB
- GAF certified and an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor. Certifications
- A customer reports the company inspecting on site every day during the work. BBB review
What they actually do. Roofing, siding, insulation, gutters, storm damage, windows and doors for homes, multifamily communities and commercial property.
Services we could verify: storm damage work, siding, gutters, windows, commercial roofing.
Why it ranks here. BPI accreditation is a building-performance credential covering insulation and building envelope, distinct from any roofing programme. In an ice damming market that is the more relevant qualification, and dual GAF plus Owens Corning certification is uncommon here.
Best fit for: Ice dam problems where insulation and ventilation need addressing alongside the roof.
What we would want clarified. At 53 registry reviews the evidence base is the thinnest in this top five. We publish this because a ranking that only prints the flattering findings is an advertisement, not an assessment.
Verify the certification yourself on the GAF registry listing. The number carried on that listing is (585) 484-1830, which is the registry’s contact line and is often a directory tracking number rather than the contractor’s own: take the number from the company’s own website and compare the two.
4. Trinity Home Renovations Inc: best single-location city firm (TRB Score 73.0)
Trinity Home Renovations Inc is based in Rochester, NY, in business since 2008, led by John Hoagland, BBB profile on record, accreditation status shown inconsistently, and holds Master Elite standing on the GAF certification registry.
| Score component | Points | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Certification tier | 24 | 35 |
| Adjusted rating | 27.7 | 40 |
| Review corpus depth | 11.3 | 15 |
| Metro proximity | 10.0 | 10 |
| Total | 73.0 | 100 |
Independently corroborated:
- BBB profile on record, trading since 1 March 2008, 18 years in business, president John Hoagland. BBB
- 98% recommendation across 36 reviews. Facebook
What they actually do. New roofs, roof repair and replacement, siding, windows and doors.
Services we could verify: roof replacement, roof repair, siding, windows.
Why it ranks here. Eighteen years trading from a single Rochester location, which in a metro dominated by multi-location operators means the owner is reachable.
Best fit for: City of Rochester homeowners wanting a genuinely local single-location firm.
What we would want clarified. BBB sources conflict on whether the company is currently accredited. Confirm accreditation status directly before signing. We publish this because a ranking that only prints the flattering findings is an advertisement, not an assessment.
Verify the certification yourself on the GAF registry listing. The number carried on that listing is (585) 670-9042, which is the registry’s contact line and is often a directory tracking number rather than the contractor’s own: take the number from the company’s own website and compare the two.
5. Comfort Windows Inc: best for roof and windows together (TRB Score 72.7)
Comfort Windows Inc is based in Rochester, NY, in business since 1979, BBB a+ rating, and holds Master Elite standing on the GAF certification registry.
| Score component | Points | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Certification tier | 24 | 35 |
| Adjusted rating | 24.2 | 40 |
| Review corpus depth | 14.5 | 15 |
| Metro proximity | 10.0 | 10 |
| Total | 72.7 | 100 |
Independently corroborated:
- A+ rating maintained since 1979, with complaints on file. BBB
- Family owned and operated serving Upstate New York since 1979, having completed thousands of roof replacements. Company
What they actually do. Roofing, siding, windows, doors, bathrooms and basements across Upstate New York.
Services we could verify: roof replacement, siding, windows.
Why it ranks here. Trading since 1979, 47 years, with 804 registry reviews, the second-largest corpus in the pool.
Best fit for: Whole-home exterior projects combining roof and windows.
What we would want clarified. Two things. At 4.6 this is the lowest raw rating in the Rochester top five, and a BBB complaint describes roof, deck and bathroom work performed in a manner the customer classed as unacceptable. This is also primarily a window company, so if you want a roofing specialist weigh the others more heavily. We publish this because a ranking that only prints the flattering findings is an advertisement, not an assessment.
Verify the certification yourself on the GAF registry listing. The number carried on that listing is (585) 235-7839, which is the registry’s contact line and is often a directory tracking number rather than the contractor’s own: take the number from the company’s own website and compare the two.
Roof replacement and repair in Rochester, NY
Short answer: In Rochester, Highland Contractors of Western New York suits ice dam damage that reaches insulation, soffit or fascia, Graves Brothers Home Improvement has 47 years of BBB accreditation, WNY Exteriors pairs roofing with insulation and ventilation, Trinity Home Renovations is a single-location city firm and Comfort Windows suits whole-home roof and window projects. The rule that matters most: the City of Rochester requires a permit for re-roofing, with proof of New York workers compensation coverage.
Rochester’s severe wind record is heavier than its lake-effect reputation suggests: 568 severe wind reports across the metro in the decade, more than twice Buffalo’s count, against 56 hail reports. On 16 June 2022 a storm estimated at 100 mph or more tore through Geneseo, an EF2 tornado struck Phelps on 7 July 2025, and 2024 was the busiest year. The largest hail, 2.5 inches, fell at Farmington on 15 July 2024. After a storm like that, check the ridge, flashing and any lifted shingle tabs from the ground or with binoculars rather than letting an unknown crew onto the roof, and get two local inspections before signing anything.
Winter does the slower damage. Repeated freeze and thaw on the eaves builds ice dams that push meltwater back under shingles, and the fix is ice and water membrane at the eaves and valleys, balanced intake and exhaust ventilation, and enough attic insulation to keep the deck cold; a quote that says nothing about ventilation is incomplete here. When the roof is replaced, the 2025 Uniform Code, in effect since December 31, 2025, applies: R908.3 requires tearing off to the deck, and R908.4 allows a new layer over the old only if the roof is not water soaked or deteriorated, is not slate, clay, cement or asbestos cement tile, and has fewer than two layers.
New York has no statewide roofing licence, so the paper trail is local. The City of Rochester requires a building permit for re-roofing through its online system, with proof of workers compensation coverage or a valid exemption, while Greece, Irondequoit, Penfield, Pittsford and the other towns run their own code enforcement offices. General Business Law 771-b requires every roofing contract to be in writing and name the roofer’s insurance, bars any promise to rebate your deductible and any required deposit, and on an insurance-paid job lets you cancel before midnight on the third business day after the insurer says in writing that all or part of the claim is not covered. No matching rule was found.
Highland Contractors, accredited since 2009 with 708 registry reviews, combines roofing with insulation, carpentry, siding, gutters and windows, which suits ice dam remediation, though confirm appointments in writing. Graves Brothers in Spencerport has 1,009 registry reviews, but its BBB customer average is 4.4. WNY Exteriors is BPI accredited for insulation and building envelope and also handles storm damage and commercial property, on a thinner base of 53 reviews. Trinity Home Renovations does new roofs, repair and replacement from a single Rochester location. Comfort Windows has completed thousands of roof replacements but is primarily a window company, so weigh roofing specialists more heavily if that is all you need.
| Rule | What applies | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor licence | No statewide roofing licence; checks are local | New York State |
| City re-roofing permit | Required, applied for online with proof of workers compensation coverage or a valid exemption | City of Rochester |
| Town permits | Greece, Irondequoit, Penfield, Pittsford and the other towns each run their own code enforcement office | Town code enforcement offices |
| Reroof method | Tear off to the deck; recover only over a sound roof that is not slate, clay, cement or asbestos cement tile and has fewer than two layers | Residential Code of New York State R908.3, R908.4 |
| Roofing contracts | Written, naming the roofer’s insurance; no deductible rebate promise and no required deposit | General Business Law 771-b |
| Cancellation | Before midnight on the third business day after the insurer says in writing that all or part of the claim is not covered | General Business Law 771-b |
| 25 percent rule | None found; no matching requirement identified | 2025 Uniform Code |
Related guides: roof replacement cost in New York; the 25% roofing rule in New York and every other state; How to Find a Roofer in Rochester, NY; how to decide between roof repair and replacement; how to read and compare a roof replacement quote; how to compare roof repair quotes; what homeowners insurance covers on a roof.
The 568 wind reports that shape a Rochester roof
Aggregate hail counts tell you very little about a specific roof. These are the individual events: every severe-weather report logged by the National Weather Service across the 5 counties of the Rochester, NY statistical area over ten years, with the dates, the stone sizes and the towns they landed on. Over that decade the metro logged 56 hail reports, 568 severe thunderstorm and high wind reports and 5 tornadoes. Reported property damage from hail, severe wind and tornado over that decade totalled $2.9 million; flood and winter-storm losses are counted separately and are not included.
The biggest hail to fall on Rochester in a decade
| Date | Stone size | Reported near | County |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 July 2024 | 2.5 in | Farmington | Ontario |
| 27 August 2020 | 2.0 in | Livonia | Livingston |
| 15 July 2024 | 1.75 in | Canandaigua | Ontario |
| 16 June 2022 | 1.75 in | Victor | Ontario |
| 16 June 2022 | 1.75 in | Farmington | Ontario |
| 16 June 2022 | 1.75 in | Farmington | Ontario |
The largest stone on record for this metro fell on 15 July 2024 near Farmington, measured at 2.5 inches. That is hen-egg sized. Two inches is the threshold at which insurers expect functional damage and full replacement claims.
Wind. The strongest thunderstorm gust logged in the metro was 87 knots, about 100 mph, near Geneseo on 16 June 2022. Asphalt shingles begin lifting at roughly 67 mph when they are correctly nailed, and considerably below that when they are not.
Tornadoes. 5 tornadoes touched down in these counties over the decade, the strongest rated EF2 near Phelps on 7 July 2025.
What the National Weather Service wrote about it
The NWS logs a written account of each severe-weather episode. This is its description of the 29 April 2025 event near Gypsum, reproduced verbatim:
The National Weather Service conducted a storm survey to examine damage in the Town of Phelps in Ontario County from April 29, 2025. Extensive hardwood tree damage was evident along McBurney Road just to the north of the New York State Thruway approximately two miles west of State Route 88. Tree damage continued down McBurney Road until about half of a mile before Falkey Road. Tree damage was evident along both sides of Stryker Road to the north of McBurney Road with multiple hardwood trees losing numerous large branches. In addition, there was extensive structural damage to multiple buildings on a farm at the corner of McBurney Road and Stryker Road. This included a large barn that was…
That is the kind of damage a roof in this metro has to be specified against, described by the agency that recorded it rather than by a contractor selling the repair.
When it happens. Severe weather reports cluster in July (138), June (137), August (128). The worst years on record were 2024 (140), 2017 (98), 2025 (92). If you are scheduling non-urgent work in Rochester, the months outside that window are when crews are least stretched and least likely to be triaging emergency callouts ahead of your job.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, county-level detail files 2016 to 2025, filtered to the counties of this statistical area by The Roofing Brief. Damage figures are as reported to the NWS and undercount insured losses.
What to do with this. Hail is not the governing risk in Rochester. Weight your decision toward wind rating, ventilation and flashing detail rather than paying extra for impact-rated shingles.
Before you sign anything in Rochester
There is no state roofing licence in NY. New York issues no statewide roofing licence and no statewide general contractor licence. Roofing is licensed locally, and whether a licence exists at all depends on which county or city the work happens in.
New York City requires a Home Improvement Contractor licence from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, involving a written exam, proof of workers’ compensation cover, either enrolment in the Home Improvement Business Trust Fund or a $20,000 surety bond, a sales tax Certificate of Authority, and EPA lead-safe certification or a signed affirmation that it is not needed. Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties, and the City of Buffalo, run their own separate licensing bureaus. Statewide, General Business Law 771-b governs every roofing contract: it must be in writing and name the roofer’s insurance, the roofer may not promise to rebate your deductible, and it may not require any deposit, only invoice materials on delivery and the balance on completion. On a job paid by insurance you may cancel before midnight on the third business day after the insurer says in writing that all or part of the claim is not covered.
That absence is the most important fact on this page. Where a state issues no credential, a manufacturer certification that can be revoked is the only quality signal a homeowner can actually check, which is why this ranking is built on certification rather than star ratings.
Check here: NYC DCWP Home Improvement Contractor licence. Confirm the contractor is licensed in the specific county where your home sits, not merely somewhere in the metro. A Westchester licence does not authorise work in Nassau.
For what a full replacement costs across New York, including state labor rates and permit rules, see our New York roof replacement cost guide.
Four checks to run before you sign anything, in any state.
- Verify certification at the source. Use the GAF verification tool rather than trusting a badge image on a company website.
- Get the certificate of insurance from the insurer, not the contractor, and confirm general liability and workers compensation are both active on the day work starts.
- Confirm who pulls the permit. If a contractor asks you to pull it as the homeowner, that moves liability onto you. Decline.
- Get warranty terms in writing before any deposit, and check the manufacturer warranty being promised actually requires the certification tier the contractor holds.
The Rochester market behind this ranking
10 certified roofing contractors serve the principal cities of the Rochester, NY statistical area, of which 2 hold the top President’s Club tier. The pool carries 3,488 customer reviews between them at a mean rating of 4.67. The statistical area had a 2024 population of 1,057,218, a change of -0.76% against the 2020 census base, per the U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 estimates.
How these Rochester rankings were produced
Every contractor in the Rochester, NY pool was scored out of 100 on four published components: certification tier, a Bayesian adjusted rating, review depth and distance from the metro centre. In this metro that meant scoring 10 certified contractors, of whom 2 hold President’s Club standing and 7 Master Elite, against a metro mean rating of 4.67. The top five were then researched individually against Better Business Bureau records, state licence registers and manufacturer directories. Good and bad findings are published together, and no contractor paid for a place here.
The full method, the weightings, what the GAF certification tiers actually mean, who is eligible to be ranked and what we do not claim are all set out on our roofer ranking methodology page. Last updated: September 2026. Scoring run: 2026-09-17. Corrections go to the editor and are actioned on verification.
Rochester roofing questions, answered
Who is the best roofer in Rochester, NY?
Highland Contractors of Western New York of Rochester, NY scores highest in the Rochester metro on The Roofing Brief Contractor Score, at 90.9 out of 100 as of September 2026. It holds President’s Club certification with a 4.8 rating across 708 reviews. Highest-scoring is not the same as best fit for your specific job, and the four companies behind it score within 18.2 points.
What is the 25% rule for roofing in New York?
New York has no 25 percent roofing rule. Outside New York City, the 2025 Uniform Code, in effect since December 31, 2025, sets no repair threshold that forces the whole roof up to code. Under R908.3 a replacement means tearing off to the deck, and no statute requiring insurers to match undamaged roofing was identified.
Do I need a permit to replace a roof in Rochester?
Yes, in the City of Rochester a building permit is required for re-roofing, applied for through the city’s online permit system with proof of New York workers compensation coverage or a valid exemption. Greece, Irondequoit, Penfield, Pittsford and the other towns each run their own code enforcement office, so ask who pulls the permit.
Who does roof repair in Rochester?
Trinity Home Renovations, a single-location Rochester firm trading since 2008, lists roof repair and replacement as well as new roofs, siding, windows and doors. Highland Contractors also takes roof repair appointments, though one published review reports a missed roof repair appointment, so confirm appointments in writing.
How do I stop ice dams on a Rochester roof?
The fix is not on the surface: ice and water membrane at the eaves and valleys, balanced intake and exhaust ventilation, and enough attic insulation to keep the roof deck cold. A quote that covers shingles and says nothing about ventilation is incomplete for this climate.
How many certified roofing contractors serve Rochester?
10 contractors on the GAF certification registry serve the principal cities of the Rochester, NY statistical area as of September 2026, of which 2 hold President’s Club status.
How much damaging hail does Rochester get?
The Rochester, NY statistical area recorded 31 hail reports of 1 inch or larger and 2 of 2 inches or larger between 2016 and 2025 in the NOAA Storm Events Database. The largest hailstone reported measured 2.5 inches.
Did any contractor pay to appear on this list?
No. The Roofing Brief takes no placement fees, no lead fees and no affiliate commission from any roofing contractor. Ranking comes entirely from the published formula applied to public registry data, followed by an individual research pass on the top five.
What was the worst hailstorm in Rochester in the last ten years?
The largest hailstone logged by the National Weather Service in the Rochester, NY statistical area between 2016 and 2025 measured 2.5 inches, reported near Farmington on 15 July 2024. That is hen-egg sized. Two inches is the threshold at which insurers expect functional damage and full replacement claims. Across the decade the metro recorded 56 hail reports. Reported property damage from hail, severe wind and tornado over that decade totalled $2.9 million; flood and winter-storm losses are counted separately and are not included.
When is the worst time of year for roof damage in Rochester?
Severe-weather reports in the Rochester, NY statistical area cluster in July, June, August, on the NOAA record for 2016 to 2025. Scheduling discretionary work away from that window tends to get you a better crew and a faster start, because nobody is juggling emergency callouts.
Do roofers need a licence in NY?
New York issues no statewide roofing licence and no statewide general contractor licence. Roofing is licensed locally, and whether a licence exists at all depends on which county or city the work happens in. New York City requires a Home Improvement Contractor licence from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, involving a written exam, proof of workers’ compensation cover, either enrolment in the Home Improvement Business Trust Fund or a $20,000 surety bond, a sales tax Certificate of Authority, and EPA lead-safe certification or a signed affirmation that it is not needed. Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties, and the City of Buffalo, run their own separate licensing bureaus. Statewide, General Business Law 771-b governs every roofing contract: it must be in writing and name the roofer’s insurance, the roofer may not promise to rebate your deductible, and it may not require any deposit, only invoice materials on delivery and the balance on completion. On a job paid by insurance you may cancel before midnight on the third business day after the insurer says in writing that all or part of the claim is not covered.
What should I check before hiring a roofer in Rochester?
Confirm the contractor is licensed in the specific county where your home sits, not merely somewhere in the metro. A Westchester licence does not authorise work in Nassau.
Is Rochester a hard market to find a good roofer in?
Rochester sits in the Lake Ontario snow belt, where ice damming rather than hail is what ruins roofs, yet its severe wind record is more than twice Buffalo’s. New York issues no statewide roofing licence, so the check that exists is local: the City of Rochester requires a permit for re-roofing, applied for online with proof of workers compensation, while the surrounding towns each run their own building departments. Two President’s Club contractors lead a pool of ten, and the drop to third place is where the choice gets harder.
Is wind or hail the bigger risk to a roof in Rochester?
Wind, by a wide margin. The Rochester, NY statistical area logged 568 severe thunderstorm and high wind reports against 31 hail reports of an inch or more between 2016 and 2025. Wind damage shows up at the rake, ridge and edge rather than across the field of the roof, so the fastening schedule and edge detail matter more here than the impact rating of the shingle.
Roofer rankings for other metros
The Roofing Brief scores certified roofing contractors in U.S. metropolitan and micropolitan areas on the same formula.
- Best roofers in Buffalo, NY, about 66 miles from Rochester
- Best roofers in Syracuse, NY, about 75 miles from Rochester
- Best roofers in Watertown, NY, another NY metro on the same formula
- Best roofers in Binghamton, NY, another NY metro on the same formula
- Best roofers in Tulsa, OK, a metro of comparable size
- Best roofers in Tucson, AZ, a metro of comparable size
See the full index of metro roofer rankings, or read how to find and vet a roofing contractor anywhere in the country.
Cite this analysis
The Roofing Brief. “Best Roofers in Rochester, NY: The Roofing Brief Contractor Score.” Published September 2026. Inputs: GAF certification registry; NOAA Storm Events Database 2016-2025; U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 population estimates; Better Business Bureau and independent review-platform records for each ranked contractor.