Hiring for roofing work in Chicago? Start with the facts that are specific to Chicago and Illinois: who licenses the work, how to check a license, where permits come from, and what the local market looks like. Every figure below links to its official source.
Before you hire in Chicago: a checklist
- Look the roofing contractor up in the official Illinois license lookup and make sure the name and license number match the contract.
- Ask for proof of the insurance or bond Illinois requires (listed below) and current workers' compensation coverage.
- Confirm who will pull the permit with City of Chicago Department of Buildings and that final inspection is included in the price.
- Get at least three written quotes for the same scope; our roofing guide covers typical costs, questions to ask and red flags.
Roofing licensing in Illinois
Under the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act, it is unlawful to work as a roofing contractor without an IDFPR license. Applicants must post a bond and have a qualifying party who passed the state exam.
| Who licenses it | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) |
|---|---|
| Insurance / bond | Continuous bond of $10,000 for a limited license and $25,000 for an unlimited license. |
| Check a license | Official license lookup (online-dfpr.micropact.com) |
Source: ilga.gov, checked November 15, 2026. Rules change; confirm with the agency before you sign a contract.
Building permits in Chicago
Residential building permits for Chicago are issued by City of Chicago Department of Buildings. Permits are commonly required for re-roofing and structural roof repairs. Ask your contractor who will pull the permit and book the inspections; a contractor who asks you to pull it yourself is a warning sign.
Official permit office page, checked November 15, 2026.
Chicago's roofing market: firms and pay
Census County Business Patterns counted 354 business locations with paid employees in Cook County in 2023 in the industry βroofing contractors,β employing 2,022 people. The median annual wage for roofers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area was $82,090 (May 2025), higher than in most of the 97 metro areas we cover. Local pay levels feed directly into labor rates on quotes.
| Business locations (roofing contractors) in Cook County | 354 |
|---|---|
| People employed at those locations | 2,022 |
| Share with fewer than 10 employees | 87% |
| Average annual payroll per employee | $96,900 |
| Median annual wage, roofers, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area | $82,090 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 (NAICS 238160; employer establishments only, so self-employed one-person businesses are not counted); BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 47-2181). Checked November 15, 2026.
Chicago climate and what it means for your roof
Chicago averages 34.4 inches of precipitation a year, more than 65 of the 153 cities we have this figure for. With 1,111 cooling degree days, heat and UV exposure are a moderate factor; with 5,753 heating degree days, freeze-thaw cycles and ice dams deserve attention.
| Heating degree days (base 65°F) | 5,753 |
|---|---|
| Cooling degree days (base 65°F) | 1,111 |
| Average annual temperature | 52.1°F |
| Average annual precipitation | 34.4 in |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, station Chicago Midway Airport (USW00014819). 30-year averages, not a forecast. Checked November 15, 2026.
Seasonal notes for Illinois
Snow load, ice dams and freeze-thaw damage drive roofing work in Illinois. Attic insulation and ventilation are as important as the shingles themselves.
Other trades in Chicago
More Chicago guides
Roofing in other cities
AllCityPros is an independent information resource. We do not endorse, rate or vouch for any business, and nothing here is legal or professional advice. Licensing rules change; confirm requirements with the licensing agency before you sign a contract. Business counts and wages are official statistics for the county or metro area, not counts of businesses available to you.