Hiring a roofer in Chicago
The City issued 1,306 roof permits in the last 12 months, to 325 licensed contractors.
- Middle cost on permits
- $25,000Half of jobs $14,100 to $50,000
- Permits, last 12 months
- 1,306
Permits
- An express permit covers a repair to no more than a quarter of the roof, a recover over one existing layer, or a replacement with no structural work.
- A recover over two or more layers, or any structural repair, needs drawings from an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer.
- Reroofing done by anyone without a valid Illinois roofing license isn’t eligible for an express permit.
From What types of work are eligible for the Express Permit Program? and Roofing contractors, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
The license to check
Roofers must hold an Illinois roofing license from the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and must show the license number on their bids, contracts and vehicles. Check it in the state license lookup.
Ask before you sign
- What is your Illinois roofing license number?
- How many layers are on the roof now, and will you tear them off?
- What insulation goes back on?
Where roof work is busiest
Roof permits by neighborhood, last 12 months.
Questions
Do I need a permit for a new roof in Chicago?
A repair to no more than a quarter of the roof, a recover over one layer, or a replacement with no structural work can get an express permit online. More than that needs drawings from an architect or structural engineer.
How much does roof work cost in Chicago?
The middle cost reported on roof permits in Chicago in the last 12 months was $25,000, and half of the 1,306 jobs fell between $14,100 and $50,000. The permits cover every size of building, so a job on one house often comes in lower. Get at least three written quotes for the same job.
How do I check a roofer’s license?
Roofers must hold an Illinois roofing license from the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and must show the license number on their bids, contracts and vehicles. Check it in the state license lookup.