What Consumer First Roofing Offers and How It Works

Consumer First Roofing is a contractor licensing and complaint system, not a roofing company

Consumer First Roofing is South Carolina's official database where you can look up licensed roofing contractors, check their complaint history, and report problems with work you've had done. It's run by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DHEC) and is free to use. The system helps homeowners verify that a contractor holds a current license before hiring them and see whether other customers have filed complaints.

The database does not perform inspections, recommend contractors, or resolve disputes between you and a roofer. It is a transparency tool—a way to research a contractor's standing before you sign a contract or after work is complete.

Key Takeaways

• Consumer First Roofing lets you search for licensed contractors by name or license number and view their complaint history at no cost.
• A contractor's license number and current status appear in the database; if a name does not appear, the person or company is not licensed in South Carolina.
• Complaints filed against a contractor are recorded in the system, though not all complaints result in disciplinary action.
• You can file a complaint through the database if a licensed roofer fails to complete work, causes damage, or violates the roofing code.
• The database does not mediate disputes or may provide refunds; it documents complaints for the state to investigate.

How to search for a contractor's license and complaint history

Go to the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation website and locate the Consumer First Roofing search tool. Enter the contractor's name or license number. The system will show you whether the license is current, when it was issued, and any complaints filed against that contractor.

Read the complaint summaries carefully. A single complaint does not necessarily mean a contractor is unreliable—roofing work often involves disputes over cost, timeline, or quality. Look for patterns: multiple complaints about the same issue (incomplete work, poor communication, damage to property) suggest a real problem. Note the dates; older complaints may be less relevant than recent ones.

If a contractor's name does not appear in the database, they are not licensed to do roofing work in South Carolina. Hiring an unlicensed roofer leaves you with no recourse through the state if something goes wrong.

What information the database shows and what it does not

The Consumer First Roofing database displays the contractor's license number, the date the license was issued, whether it is currently active, and a summary of complaints filed with the state. You can see the complaint date and a brief description of what the customer reported.

The database does not show the contractor's insurance status, bonding information, or references from past customers. It does not rate contractors or recommend one over another. It does not include complaints filed only with the Better Business Bureau, online review sites, or small claims court—only complaints submitted to the state licensing board.

Complaints that were investigated and dismissed do not disappear from the record, so you may see a complaint that was resolved in the contractor's favor. Read the summary to understand the outcome, or contact the licensing board directly if the complaint description is unclear.

How to file a complaint if work was not completed properly

If a licensed roofer failed to finish the job, caused damage, violated building codes, or did not honor the contract, you can file a complaint through the Consumer First Roofing system. You will need the contractor's name or license number, a description of what went wrong, and documentation (photos, the contract, invoices, or written communication with the roofer).

Filing a complaint does not automatically result in a refund or force the contractor to fix the work. The state will investigate and may take disciplinary action—such as a fine, license suspension, or license revocation—if the contractor violated roofing regulations. If you need money back, you may have to pursue small claims court or civil litigation separately.

Keep copies of everything you submit. The investigation process can take weeks or months, and you may be asked for additional information.

When to check the database before hiring

Search the database before you sign a contract or give a deposit. A licensed contractor with no complaints is not a may provide of quality work, but an unlicensed contractor or one with many recent complaints is a red flag. Ask the contractor for their license number upfront; if they hesitate or cannot provide it, do not hire them.

After you receive a quote, verify the license number matches what the contractor told you. Some roofers operate under a company name that differs from the licensed individual's name, so ask for clarification if the names do not match.

What happens after you file a complaint

Once you submit a complaint, the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation will review it and decide whether to investigate. If the complaint describes a violation of roofing code or licensing law, the board may open a case. The contractor will be notified and given a chance to respond.

If the investigation finds a violation, the board can issue a warning, fine the contractor, suspend their license, or revoke it entirely. You will be notified of the outcome, though the details of the investigation are not always public. If you disagree with the board's decision, you may have the right to appeal or pursue other legal remedies.

A complaint does not replace a lawsuit. If you need money back or want to force the contractor to complete the work, you will likely need to file in small claims court or hire an attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the contractor I want to hire is not in the database?

If a roofer's name does not appear in Consumer First Roofing, they are not licensed by South Carolina. You can still hire them, but you have no state protection if something goes wrong. Unlicensed contractors cannot be disciplined by the licensing board, and complaints filed against them will not be recorded in the system.

Does a complaint in the database mean the contractor did something wrong?

A complaint means a customer reported a problem to the state, not that the contractor was found guilty. The licensing board investigates complaints and decides whether a violation occurred. Some complaints are dismissed if the contractor's work met code or the contract terms. Read the complaint summary to understand what was reported, and contact the licensing board if you need more detail.

Can I get my money back through the Consumer First Roofing system?

No. The database records complaints and allows the state to investigate and discipline contractors, but it does not process refunds or force contractors to pay you. To recover money, you will need to pursue small claims court, civil court, or a payment dispute with your credit card company if you paid by card.

How long does it take to investigate a complaint?

Investigation timelines vary depending on the complexity of the complaint and the licensing board's workload. Simple complaints may be resolved in a few weeks; complex cases can take several months. You can contact the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation to ask about the status of your complaint.

Should I hire a contractor with one old complaint?

One complaint from years ago is less concerning than multiple recent complaints about the same issue. Consider the nature of the complaint, when it occurred, and whether the contractor has had complaints since. Ask the contractor directly about the complaint and listen to their explanation. A single isolated issue does not necessarily disqualify someone, but a pattern of complaints suggests caution.