Authority Network America

Authority Network America: Roofing & Pool Exterior Services Overview

The roofing and pool exterior services sector spans two of the highest-liability residential and commercial trade categories in the United States, encompassing licensed contractors, materials standards, permitting frameworks, and consumer protection regulations that vary by state. This page describes how the Authority Network America roofing and pool exterior vertical is structured, which member resources cover each discipline, and how professionals and service seekers navigate licensing, qualification, and project decisions across this segment. The roofing-pool-exterior-overview coverage area addresses both weatherproofing systems above the building envelope and aquatic installations at the property perimeter.

Definition and scope

Roofing and pool exterior services constitute distinct but structurally related trade categories under the broader home and commercial exterior services vertical. Roofing encompasses the installation, inspection, repair, and replacement of roof systems — including low-slope membrane assemblies, steep-slope shingle and metal systems, underlayment, flashing, and drainage components. Pool exterior services cover in-ground and above-ground pool construction, resurfacing, decking, hydraulic systems, and chemical compliance, along with surrounding hardscape and barrier fencing required by building codes.

Both categories are regulated at the state level rather than under a single federal licensing framework. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) publish industry standards that inform state licensing boards but carry no direct enforcement authority. In 43 states, roofing contractors must hold a state-issued license before pulling permits (National Conference of State Legislatures, Occupational Licensing). Pool contractors face parallel requirements, with California, Florida, and Texas maintaining separate trade license classifications for pool construction distinct from general contractor credentials.

The Authority Network America provider framework defines minimum qualification benchmarks for both trade categories as a condition of network membership, creating a cross-state reference standard that complements — rather than replaces — state board requirements.

How it works

The network connects service seekers with vetted providers through two primary member sites dedicated to this vertical:

National Roof Authority covers the full scope of roofing trade standards, contractor licensing requirements by state, materials classification (Class A, B, and C fire ratings under UL 790), and storm-damage assessment protocols. It functions as the primary reference for residential and commercial roofing decisions within the network.

National Pool Authority addresses pool construction classifications, hydraulic engineering requirements, health and safety compliance under the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (15 U.S.C. § 8001 et seq.), and decking and barrier standards. It is the network's reference point for aquatic installation and renovation projects.

Both member sites operate within the Authority Network America standards reference, which establishes consistent criteria for how providers are evaluated, listed, and cross-referenced across the network. The how-it-works framework describes the referral and provider verification process in full.

Operationally, a service seeker identifies a need — roof replacement after hail damage, or pool resurfacing with updated circulation equipment — consults the relevant member site for licensing and standards context, and accesses the member directory to locate qualified providers in their geographic area.

Common scenarios

Roofing and pool exterior projects generate distinct decision trees based on project type:

Roofing scenarios:

  1. Insurance-driven replacement — Storm or hail damage requiring adjuster coordination, code-compliance upgrades, and licensed contractor documentation for insurer reimbursement.
  2. Planned re-roofing — Material selection between asphalt shingle (most common in the US, comprising approximately 65–70% of residential installations per NRCA data), metal standing-seam, and single-ply membrane systems.
  3. Leak investigation and repair — Typically involves flashing failure, penetration seal degradation, or underlayment compromise; requires diagnostic inspection before scope is defined.
  4. Commercial low-slope system installation — Governed by ASTM International standards including ASTM D6878 for thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) membrane systems.

Pool exterior scenarios:

  1. New construction permitting — Requires structural engineering sign-off, setback compliance, and barrier installation meeting International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) or state equivalent.
  2. Resurfacing and renovation — Plaster, aggregate, or tile resurfacing with hydraulic system inspection to confirm Virginia Graeme Baker Act-compliant drain covers are in place.
  3. Decking and hardscape integration — Coordination between pool contractor and concrete or paver subcontractors; slip-resistance ratings apply under ADA and local building codes.
  4. Seasonal winterization and reopening — Chemical balancing and equipment inspection governed by state health department pool codes for shared-use facilities.

Decision boundaries

Selecting between roofing and pool exterior contractors — or understanding where one trade ends and another begins — requires clarity on licensing overlap and project scope:

Roofing vs. general contractor: A licensed roofer may legally install roofing systems in most states without a general contractor license, but structural deck repair beneath the roofing system typically requires either a general contractor or a structural license. The National Contractor Authority covers general contractor licensing thresholds by state, which is the appropriate reference when project scope crosses trade boundaries.

Pool contractor vs. plumbing contractor: Pool hydraulic systems — including circulation pumps, filter lines, and backwash drains — may require a separate plumbing license in states such as Florida and California. National Plumbing Authority documents state-level plumbing licensing requirements relevant to pool mechanical systems.

Pool contractor vs. electrical contractor: Pool bonding and equipotential grounding, required under NEC Article 680, must be performed by a licensed electrician in most jurisdictions, not the pool contractor. National Electrical Authority covers NEC Article 680 compliance and jurisdictional licensing for pool electrical work.

Scope ambiguity at these trade intersections represents the most frequent source of permit rejection and project delay in the roofing and pool exterior segment. The member site scope comparison provides a structured comparison of which network member governs each trade boundary.

The network quality benchmarks page defines the documentation and licensing verification standards that providers in both categories must meet for inclusion in the network.

References

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