Roof work in Wisconsin and Illinois is regulated by different state agencies. In Wisconsin, residential roofing generally falls under the dwelling contractor rules run by the Department of Safety and Professional Services. In Illinois, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation oversees roofing contractors.
Key takeaways
- Keep the two states apart: a Wisconsin credential does not cover Illinois work, and the reverse.
- Wisconsin: residential roofing generally falls under dwelling contractor rules. No separate roofing-only credential was found.
- Illinois: the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation oversees roofing contractors under the state's roofing statute.
- Check any credential with the agency that issues it, and keep the answer in writing.
What does Wisconsin regulate for residential roofing?
Roofers working on one- and two-family homes generally fall under the state's dwelling contractor rules.
The Department of Safety and Professional Services runs the dwelling contractor rules. No separate roofing-only credential was found in the research, so this guide does not describe one.
Municipal permits are separate and local. Ask the contractor for the state credential the dwelling rules require, and check it with the department.
What does Illinois regulate?
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation oversees roofing contractors under the state's roofing statute.
The statute sets who may do roofing work for others, and it treats residential and commercial work differently. Municipal building officials are expected to check a contractor's standing before a permit is issued.
Confirm a contractor's standing with the department before you sign anything.
How do I check a roofer on either side of the line?
Check the credential with the agency that issues it, and keep a written record of the check.
Wisconsin's credential lookup is run through the Department of Safety and Professional Services. Illinois' lookup is run through the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Ask which state's rules apply to the job's address before you sign. The job's location decides which rules apply, not the office the call was answered in.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Wisconsin roofing credential work in Illinois?
No. Each state has its own rules, and a credential issued in one state does not cover roof work in the other.
I live in Wisconsin, but the house is in Illinois. Which rules apply?
The job's location decides which state's rules apply. Ask the local building department which requirements apply to the work.
Are insurance and bond amounts listed here?
No. The insurance and bond amounts were not confirmed in the sources, so none are printed. Ask the contractor for the paperwork and check it with the agency.
This guide is general information for Kenosha County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.