The most expensive roof you will ever buy is the one you have to buy twice.
After a storm rolls through Creve Coeur, the neighborhood is often flooded with trucks. Some are local pros. Others are “storm chasers”—out-of-town crews who knock on doors, collect deposits, and vanish before the work is finished.
How do you tell them apart?
You need to treat this interview like a job interview. You are the boss. They are applying to work on your most valuable asset.
At Prrotect Roofing, we welcome these questions. In fact, we wish more homeowners in 63141 would ask them.
Here are the 5 tough questions you should ask every contractor before you sign a dotted line.
1. Can I See Your St. Louis County License?
The Trap: Missouri is one of the few states that does not require a statewide roofing license. This allows anyone with a ladder and a truck to call themselves a “roofer.” The Creve Coeur Reality: While the state is lax, St. Louis County is strict. To legally pull a permit in Creve Coeur, a contractor must hold a valid St. Louis County Contractor’s License. What to Look For:- Ask for their license number.
- Verify it. You can check the status through the St. Louis County Public Works Department.
- Prrotect Roofing is fully licensed to work in Creve Coeur. We handle all the City of Creve Coeur permit paperwork for you, so you never have to deal with City Hall.
2. What is Your Physical Business Address?
The Trap: Storm chasers often work out of a P.O. Box or a temporary rental office. If your roof leaks six months from now, you will drive to their “office” and find an empty parking lot. The Question to Ask: “Where do your trucks park at night?” The Right Answer: You want a local answer. Prrotect Roofing has physical locations in Cottleville and Alton. We are your neighbors. We shop at the same Schnucks and Dierbergs you do. If you have a problem, you know exactly where to find us. Red Flag: If their truck has out-of-state license plates (Texas, Colorado, Florida) but they claim to be “local,” be very careful.3. Do You Carry General Liability AND Workman’s Comp?
The Trap: Some contractors save money by carrying General Liability (which covers damage to your house) but skipping “Workman’s Compensation” (which covers injuries to their crew). The Risk to You: If a roofer falls off your roof in Fernwood and breaks his leg, and his boss doesn’t have Workman’s Comp, you could be liable for his medical bills. Your homeowner’s insurance might have to pay out, raising your rates. The Right Answer: Ask to see a Certificate of Insurance (COI).- Check the dates (is it active?).
- Call the insurance agency listed on the paper to confirm the policy hasn’t been cancelled for non-payment.
4. Who is Catching the Nails?
The Trap: Roofing is messy. A typical tear-off involves removing 10,000+ rusted nails. If the crew is careless, those nails end up in your rose bushes—or worse, your tires. The Question to Ask: “What is your clean-up process?” The Prrotect Standard: We don’t just pick up what we see. We use industrial-grade magnetic sweepers.- We sweep your driveway.
- We sweep the grass.
- We sweep the landscaping beds. We treat your property like a crime scene-nothing is left behind. We also tarp your bushes and AC units before we start to prevent damage from falling debris.
5. Explain Your Warranty: Material vs Workmanship
The Trap: A contractor might say, “This roof has a Lifetime Warranty!” Usually, they are talking about the Manufacturer’s Warranty (from Owens Corning or GAF). This covers the shingles if they are defective. It does not cover human error. If the roofer nails the shingle incorrectly and it blows off, the manufacturer will deny your claim. The Question to Ask: “What is YOUR workmanship warranty?” The Right Answer: You need a warranty on the labor. At Prrotect Roofing, we stand behind our installation. Because we are factory-certified by major manufacturers, we can offer extended warranties that cover both the material and our workmanship for years to come.Will You Be Here for the Insurance Adjuster?
If you are filing an insurance claim for hail or wind, ask if the roofer will meet the adjuster on-site. If they say “No, just handle that yourself,” hang up. You need an advocate on the roof to ensure the adjuster sees all the damage.Hire with Confidence
You don’t have to guess. Prrotect Roofing checks every box:- ✅ St. Louis County Licensed
- ✅ Fully Insured (Liability + Workman’s Comp)
- ✅ Local Physical Offices
- ✅ Manufacturer Certified
