Best roofing companies in Hawaii: Key takeaways

Top Hawaii roofing contractors

How to choose a roofing contractor for your Hawaii home

When hiring a roofing contractor, look for a company you can trust to deal with your insurance adjusters and complete your project promptly, professionally, and cost-effectively. Here are a few tips for choosing a quality roofing company in Hawaii.

Search for the roofing services you need

Not all roofing contractors provide the same services or work with the same materials. If you need a specific repair completed, you’ll want to seek a company specializing in that type of work. For instance, if you have a roof leak but are unsure what’s causing it, you can have a roofer come out and find where the water is coming from. If you experienced a recent hail storm and want to inspect the roof for hail damage, they can check it.

Also, if you have anything other than a shingle roof, you'll want a company specializing in alternative roof types, like tile roofing or flat roofs. Some materials, like metal, require specialized tools not all roofers possess. And not all have experience installing solar shingles. Ask for a consultation to determine if a company has the expertise your roofing needs require.

Common Hawaii roofing services include:

Check reviews from other Hawaii homeowners

Online reputation can tell you a lot about a company. Do some digging into the companies you’re considering and see what other Hawaii homeowners have to say about the quality of the job and the service they experienced. Sites like Fixr, Yelp, Google Reviews, Trustpilot, and the Better Business Bureau are good places to start when gauging customer satisfaction.

Finding reviews with photos of the company’s work can be especially helpful. If the company has a national presence, ensure the reviews you’re reading are HI-specific so you can vet your local roofing team.

Compare quotes from multiple companies

To find the best company for your roofing job, always try to get several quotes. Of course, you'll compare the quotes for price. But you'll also want to compare the companies' warranties and the time frame for completing the job.

Ask questions throughout the process

When securing quotes, you'll want to ask the roofer several questions. After clarifying the company's legal name, address, and phone number and ensuring that it's licensed and insured to perform work in the Aloha State, consider the following questions:

Check that the company follows Hawaii's licensing and insurance requirements

Before applying for licensure as a roofer in Hawaii, an individual must be 18 years or older, have four years of supervisory experience, pass a roofing skills examination, and be employed by a licensed contractor. To maintain a license, the person must hold continuous liability and workers' compensation insurance.

Always confirm license numbers with your city or county’s building department. Also, ask what the licensing requirements are for your area.

Hawaii roofing costs

If your roof needs replacing, you may wonder how much it will cost. The average cost to replace a roof in Hawaii is $24,001, including labor. The average labor cost for roofers in Hawaii is $131 per hour. Costs vary depending on the materials, type of roofing system, and size and complexity of the roof. They will also vary by locality, so we average in places like Honolulu, Kaneohe, and Waipahu. Here are a few highs, lows, and averages for you to remember when shopping for roofing professionals.

Low-End Cost

Average Cost

High-End Cost

Average Hawaii roof replacement*

$23,791

$24,001

$24,212

Roof replacement with asphalt shingles

$9,137

$9,225

$9,299

Metal roof replacement

$27,256

$27,500

$27,738

*The average cost is calculated using the size of an average 1,700 square foot roof. The low-end cost is for a 1,000-square-foot roof. The high-end cost is for a 2,200-square-foot roof.

When to hire a roofing company

There are multiple reasons to hire a roofing company. First, having a professional perform a yearly roof inspection is a good idea. Ensuring your roof is in good condition each year helps prevent some emergencies. However, winds blow, and trees fall. And when they impact your roof, it's good to have a standing relationship with one in your area. 

Emergency roof repair in HI

Hawaii's climate is predominately tropical, with the average temperature hovering around 80 degrees year-round. But it's not without its share of extreme weather events.

Storms that include lightning and hail, and high-wind events like hurricanes and tornadoes are found on the islands, just not as frequently as the rest of the country. Also, with high temperatures and wildfires, Hawaii's weather extremes can cause significant damage to your roof.

When something happens to compromise the integrity of your roof, or if you have water leaking into your home, you have an emergency situation. 

Non-emergency repairs

Non-emergency roof problems you may notice in Hawaii include evidence of poor ventilation or insulation. High energy bills, missing shingles, and cracked tiles are indications for you to schedule a roof inspection. A professional will let you know if the symptoms warrant emergency repair or if you can wait. 

DIY vs. professional roofing

Only climb on a roof if you feel secure and have the coordination to walk safely on the slope. Most roofing repairs are best left to the professionals. Even if you are capable, a pro will do a better job. That said, the determined DIYer can handle some minor roof repairs. Things like caulking, patching minor leaks, replacing a shingle, or cleaning gutters are all DIY-friendly jobs. For anything more complicated, hire a pro.

Frequently Asked Questions