How to Choose a Roofing Contractor in St. Louis

Please note: All monetary figures mentioned in this article are ballpark estimates based on typical St. Louis projects. Every home and roof is different — the exact numbers that apply to your project can only be determined after an in-person inspection and detailed estimate.

Hiring the wrong roofing contractor in St. Louis, MO can cost thousands in rework. A 2023 NRCA survey found that rework from improper installation and missed code compliance averages $2,500 per residential job nationally, and total costs climb higher when delays, water damage, and second opinions are factored in. The right contractor carries proper Missouri insurance, provides a written scope of work before starting, and has verifiable local references in your ZIP code. This guide gives you a concrete 7-point vetting checklist so you can hire with confidence.

What Licenses and Insurance Should a St. Louis Roofing Contractor Have?

Missouri does not require a statewide roofing license, which means anyone can legally call themselves a roofer. That makes your own due diligence critical. At minimum, verify three things before signing anything: general liability insurance (at least $1 million per occurrence), workers’ compensation coverage for every crew member, and a current St. Louis County or municipal business license.

Ask for a certificate of insurance (COI) directly from the contractor’s insurance carrier, not a photocopy from the contractor. Policies can lapse or be cancelled between the date a copy was printed and the date work begins on your home. A legitimate contractor will not hesitate to provide this.

Most municipalities in St. Louis County require building permits for roof replacements. The permit fee typically starts at approximately $50 and increases by $10 per $1,000 of construction cost above $3,000. Your contractor should pull this permit, not you. If a contractor suggests skipping the permit to “save you money,” that is a red flag. Unpermitted work can void your homeowners insurance and create problems when you sell.

You can verify St. Louis County contractor registrations through the St. Louis County Department of Revenue.

How Much Should a Roof Replacement Cost in St. Louis in 2026?

A full tear-off and re-roof with architectural asphalt shingles on a typical 1,500 to 2,500 square foot St. Louis home runs $8,500 to $15,000 installed as of 2026. The realistic midpoint for a quality job is $12,000 to $14,000. Asphalt shingles cover roughly 75% of residential roofs in the St. Louis market, according to the 2026 This Old House Roofing Survey.

An estimate that comes in 30% or more below competing bids usually signals thinner underlayment, skipped ice-and-water shield in valleys, reused flashing, or unlicensed subcontractors. In roofing, the cheapest bid is rarely the cheapest outcome.

Missouri labor rates for roofing run $45 to $65 per hour in the St. Louis metro, according to Instant Roofer’s 2026 contractor database. Roughly 60% of your total project cost goes to labor, with 40% covering materials.

What Are the Red Flags When Hiring a Roofer in St. Louis?

Storm chasers are the biggest risk for St. Louis homeowners. These are out-of-state contractors who flood into the area after hail events (which peak April through June in the metro), offer aggressive deals door to door, and may not exist six months later when warranty issues surface. Here are concrete warning signs:

They ask for full payment upfront. A reputable St. Louis contractor will typically collect a deposit of 10% to 33% before materials are ordered, with the balance due at completion. Anyone demanding 50% or more before work starts is a risk.

They offer to “cover your deductible.” This can constitute insurance fraud under Missouri law. Your deductible (typically $1,000 to $2,500 on Missouri homeowners policies) is your legal obligation. A contractor who offers to waive it is inflating the claim to absorb the cost, which can result in claim denial and policy cancellation.

They pressure you to sign before your insurance claim is processed. A legitimate contractor will inspect the damage, provide documentation, and wait for your claim to be approved before locking you into a contract.

They have no local address. Verify the contractor has a permanent business address in the St. Louis area, not a P.O. box in another state. Family First Exteriors, for example, has operated from 15009 Manchester Rd, Ste 261, Ballwin, MO 63011 since 2002.

They cannot provide local references. Ask for three completed projects in your ZIP code or neighboring area within the last 12 months. Then actually call those references.

What Questions Should I Ask Before Signing a Roofing Contract?

Get answers to these seven questions in writing before any work begins. A contractor who resists putting answers on paper is telling you something important.

1. What is the full scope of work? The written estimate should list tear-off, decking inspection and repair, underlayment type and brand, ice-and-water shield placement, shingle brand and product line, flashing details, ridge vent specs, and cleanup. Vague line items like “roofing labor” and “materials” are not acceptable.

2. Who pulls the permit? The contractor should handle the St. Louis County building permit. Get the permit number before work starts.

3. What warranty coverage is included? You should receive both a manufacturer’s material warranty (typically 25 to 50 years on architectural shingles) and a separate workmanship warranty from the contractor (typically 5 to 10 years for quality installers).

4. Who will be on my roof? Ask whether the contractor uses in-house crews or subcontractors. If subcontractors, verify they carry their own workers’ comp insurance.

5. What happens if you find damage underneath? Rotted decking is common on St. Louis homes, particularly those built before 1970 with original spaced board sheathing. Get a per-sheet price for decking replacement written into the contract before work starts, so there are no surprise charges.

6. What is the project timeline? Most residential roof replacements in St. Louis take 1 to 3 days depending on roof size and complexity. Get a start date and estimated completion date in writing.

7. What is the payment schedule? A reasonable structure: 10% to 33% deposit, balance on completion after your final walkthrough.

How Do I Vet a Roofing Contractor’s Reputation in St. Louis?

Online reviews are a starting point, not the finish line. Here is a more thorough vetting process that takes about 30 minutes and can save you thousands.

Check the Missouri Secretary of State’s business filings. Search the contractor’s LLC or corporation at sos.mo.gov to verify they are registered and in good standing. Note how long the entity has been active.

Check the BBB. Look for complaint patterns, not just the letter grade. A single complaint with a resolution is normal. Multiple unresolved complaints about the same issue (missed callbacks, unfinished work, warranty disputes) is a pattern.

Verify insurance independently. Call the insurance carrier listed on the COI and confirm the policy is active and covers roofing work in St. Louis County.

Check for manufacturer certifications. Contractors certified by shingle manufacturers (GAF Master Elite, CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster, Owens Corning Platinum Preferred) have met training and volume requirements that general roofers have not. These certifications also unlock extended manufacturer warranties that non-certified installers cannot offer.

Drive by a recent job. Ask for an address of a project completed 6 to 12 months ago and drive by. A roof that looks good after one St. Louis winter is a better reference than a project completed last week.

Should I Get Multiple Estimates?

Yes. Get three written estimates from three different St. Louis contractors. Compare them line by line, not just bottom-line price. The cheapest estimate is often missing items that the more detailed estimates include: ice-and-water shield, drip edge, pipe boot replacements, or proper ventilation upgrades.

A 2026 survey by This Old House found that nearly 60% of homeowners described their roof replacement as urgent or emergency, often triggered by storm damage. Homeowners who felt rushed were more likely to accept the first estimate they received. Getting estimates before storm season (which peaks April through June in St. Louis) puts you in a stronger negotiating position.

Frequently Asked Questions