Replacing or repairing a roof in St. Louis is rarely just about shingles. Our weather throws the full Midwestern mix at a home: spring hail, summer heat, fast-moving windstorms, and the freeze-thaw cycle that sneaks water into seams. A successful project depends on choosing a contractor that respects those realities and communicates clearly from the first phone call through the final magnet sweep in your yard. If you are considering Conner Roofing services in St. Louis, here is a practical, nuts-and-bolts walk through of what the process looks like, how decisions get made, and what separates a smooth project from a stressful one.
The first contact and what it sets in motion
The first conversation tends to set the tone. Whether you call or submit a form on the website, you should expect a brief intake where the affordable Conner Roofing, LLC coordinator asks for your address, roof age if known, any active leaks, and whether you are working with an insurance claim. In St. Louis, many roof projects are hail or wind related, so it helps to mention if a storm date is involved. If water is actively coming in, say so. Crews can usually tarp same day or within 24 hours, weather permitting.
A typical inspection appointment lasts 30 to 60 minutes for a single-family home. If you have a complex roof with multiple dormers, skylights, or a low-slope section, budget more time. An experienced estimator will bring a camera, chalk, moisture meter, and tape. Drones are sometimes used for steep or delicate surfaces, but hands-on inspection is still the gold standard because you can check fasteners, lift shingles along ridges, and probe suspect decking.
What a thorough roof inspection actually covers
A proper inspection is more than counting hail strikes. Expect the estimator to divide the roof into slopes and document each slope, valley, and penetration. Valleys, step flashings along walls, and around chimneys account for a big share of leaks we see in St. Louis bungalows and 1.5-story homes. On older houses in neighborhoods like Maplewood and South City, many leaks trace to tired counterflashing or brittle, improperly lapped step flashing rather than failed shingles.
Good inspectors also look inside the attic if access is safe. This is where you catch decking deflection, previous water trails, mold blooms, and ventilation issues. If your attic has poor airflow or undersized soffit intake, replacing just the shingles kicks the can down the road. Asphalt shingles in our climate like balanced ventilation, which usually means adequate intake through the eaves and ridge venting up top. Without it, you get cooked shingles, ice damming at the eaves during cold snaps, and condensation moisture.
Documentation matters. Photos, slope diagrams, and a simple written summary make your decision easier and serve as evidence if you are filing a claim. With Conner roofing services St. Louis homeowners can expect a clear, line-by-line scope rather than a vague lump sum. It should be obvious what is included and what would be an extra charge.
Making sense of the estimate
Not all estimates are created equal. A transparent proposal clarifies products, methods, and contingencies. In St. Louis MO, you will see material options tailored to our weather and architectural styles. Asphalt architectural shingles are the workhorse, but the details underneath carry the project.
Look for mention of these elements:
- Tear-off, disposal, and any deck repair allowances. Most homes need at least some decking replacement, especially over eaves or around chimneys where leaks went unnoticed. A fair contract sets a per-sheet price for decking so you can budget for surprises. Underlayment and ice-and-water shield. The local standard is synthetic underlayment across the field and peel-and-stick membrane in valleys and along eaves. In parts of St. Louis county, inspectors expect ice-and-water a minimum of 2 feet inside the heated wall. Ask how many rolls are included and where they will be applied. Flashing plan. Step flashing at sidewalls, new counterflashing at chimneys, and pre-formed flashing boots around pipes are nonnegotiable. If your home has a stucco or masonry wall meeting a roof, request details about cutting reglets and sealing with the right mortar or sealant instead of surface caulk. Ventilation strategy. If your roof gets a ridge vent, make sure there is matching soffit intake. On hip roofs with little ridge line, box vents or a powered fan may be used. The math matters here: net free area should match manufacturer recommendations for your roof size. Warranty language. Separate material warranty from workmanship warranty. Shingle manufacturers commonly offer limited lifetime material warranties with proration, and enhanced warranties if the contractor uses a full system (starter, field, hip and ridge, underlayment) and registers the install. Workmanship warranties vary, often 5 to 10 years. This is what covers leaks caused by installation errors.
If you are weighing multiple bids, normalize them apples to apples. One contractor’s low price sometimes means they reused flashing, skipped ice-and-water shield, or did not budget for decking repairs. In my experience, a midrange bid with tight scope beats a rock-bottom number that grows after tear-off.
How scheduling works in a four-season city
On paper, roof work happens year-round. In reality, St. Louis has rhythm. Spring and early summer bring storm claims, so lead times can stretch to a few weeks. Late fall and winter are workable as long as temperatures allow for shingle sealing and safe labor. If you are replacing a roof in December, ask how the crew handles cold-weather adhesive. Most manufacturers publish minimum install temperatures. Crews can hand-seal in cold snaps and often schedule tear-off midday when the sun helps the bonds set.
Material delivery typically occurs the day before or morning of the job. The supplier places bundles on the roof if the structure allows. If your decking is questionable or you have a clay tile section, ground drop is safer and the crew will stage materials manually. Let your estimator know about overhead lines and tight driveways so the delivery truck can plan accordingly.
The day of tear-off: what a clean jobsite looks like
This is where roofing reputation is earned. A well-run crew arrives early, sets tarps along foundation plantings, covers HVAC condensers, and moves grills or furniture out of harm’s way. Magnetic rollers and broom cleanup happen throughout the day, not just at the end. For neighbors in close quarters, a quick knock on the door to warn about noise and nails goes a long way. If you live in a St. Louis city block with alley parking, ask for cones or a note on the dumpster so access stays clear.
Tear-off reveals the truth. Hidden rot, wasp nests, and ancient layers under a “two-layer” roof are regular finds. A seasoned foreman will pause, photograph, and contact you or the office if scope changes. Deck repairs are cut out back to clean, solid wood. In older homes, decking may be 1x planks with gaps. The crew can re-nail or overlay with OSB if required by the manufacturer for a flat base. This is also when you see ventilation upgrades. Soffit vents get cleared of paint or insulation, and new baffles installed from the attic to keep airflow open.
Most single-family roofs are one-day projects if weather cooperates. Complex roofs may take two. If a storm threatens mid-day, crews will dry-in with underlayment and ice-and-water and button up before leaving. If you have a skylight or flat roof section, that may be handled by a specialist within the same schedule.
Shingle selection with St. Louis in mind
Architectural asphalt shingles dominate for good reason. They balance cost, durability, and curb appeal on our housing stock, from brick four-squares to ranches. Within that category, look for impact-rated options if you are in a hail-prone corridor. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles can reduce hail damage risk, and some insurers offer premium credits. Make sure your policy recognizes the credit before you pay the upgrade cost.
Color choice is not just aesthetic. Dark shingles absorb heat, which can increase attic temperatures in summer if ventilation is marginal. Lighter grays or weathered wood tones run cooler. In historic districts, coordinate with any local guidelines. Ridge shingles, starter strips, and hip caps should match the field shingle family to qualify for enhanced warranties. Ask about algae-resistant formulations as St. Louis summers produce the streaking you see on shaded north slopes.
Metal accent roofs over bays or porches are a common upgrade. They shed snow and add visual interest, but transitions from metal to shingle need proper flashing and underlayment to avoid galvanic reactions and leaks. If you are adding a metal accent, talk through color, panel profile, and whether the crew on site handles metal or a dedicated installer comes in.
Flat and low-slope sections require different rules
Many St. Louis homes have a flat over the back addition or garage. Putting shingles on a low-slope roof is asking for trouble. A trustworthy scope will propose an appropriate membrane, typically modified bitumen, TPO, or PVC, depending on budget, exposure, and how the area is used. Modified bitumen is forgiving and works well on small residential flats. TPO and PVC offer bright, reflective surfaces, which can help with summer heat load. Proper edge metal, term bars, and wall flashings are nonnegotiable. This is one place I see the most homeowner regret when a low-slope area was “shingled” to save money and failed within a year.
Dealing with insurance claims without losing your sanity
If a storm triggers your project, your process runs in parallel with the insurer’s. Most carriers send an adjuster to inspect and prepare a scope of loss. Contractors familiar with Conner roofing services St. Louis MO adapt their estimate to match the carrier’s format. Line items are matched, supplements are submitted for code-required items like ice-and-water shield or drip edge if missing from the original scope, and photos support every ask.
You control the contractor decision. The insurer does not. Choose based on competence, communication, and your comfort level. Payment timing typically follows the insurance schedule: an initial actual cash value check, then recoverable depreciation released after completion and documentation. If your mortgage company is on the check, allow time for endorsement. Contractors accustomed to insurance work keep their office tuned to these steps so your cash flow does not stall the project.
Communication during the build
Questions come up during any build, especially when tear-off reveals something unexpected. The foreman should be visible and approachable. If you work from home, expect noise, thumps, and vibration, and consider stepping out for calls. Pets and small children should be kept inside away from staging areas. If you have a sprinkler system near the driveway where a dumpster will sit, mark the heads. A good crew respects property, but a quick walkthrough with the foreman the morning of work helps both sides spot risks.
Photographs are your friend. Ask for mid-project photos of any decking repairs or replaced flashings. Not because you distrust the crew, but because you will not see these layers again for 20 years. It is a helpful record if you sell the home or need warranty service.
Cleanup: the part people remember
The best roofing job can be overshadowed by nails in the lawn. Cleanup is more than a quick sweep. It includes magnet passes around the perimeter and driveway, gutter clearing to remove granules and debris, and a scan of flower beds, decks, and patios. Expect at least two magnet passes, one mid-day and one at the end. If you own pets or frequently walk barefoot in the yard, mention it so the crew can be extra thorough along common paths. Dumpsters are removed promptly, usually within 24 hours of completion.
Final walkthrough, warranty, and paperwork
Once shingles are down and details finished, someone should walk the property with you. They will check ridge vents, confirm pipe boot placements, verify color and pattern consistency, and inspect high-wear points like valleys. You should receive a final invoice, warranty information, and a receipt for payment. If the project is registered for an enhanced manufacturer warranty, ask for the registration confirmation email with your address and install date.
Workmanship warranty terms matter when wind-driven rain finds a gap or a fastener backs out from wood movement. Keep the contractor’s contact handy. Reliable firms answer the phone after the check clears. If you spot a concern within the first heavy rain, report it right away. Often it is a simple tweak to a flashing or an overlooked nail pop.
What sets a conscientious St. Louis roofing contractor apart
Roofing is a trade of details. The visible layer gets all the attention, but the quiet parts determine how your home fares through our summers and storms. From experience, here are a few tells that you are working with a pro:
- They refuse to re-use old flashing on principle and explain why. Metal fatigues and old nail holes become leak paths. Ventilation is calculated, not guessed. You get a plan with intake and exhaust balanced, not just a ridge vent thrown on because it looks nice. They bring up code items before you do. Drip edge, ice-and-water shield, and underlayment details are addressed proactively, not as surprises on change orders. They show you photos of deck rot or hidden layers and price deck repairs per sheet as agreed, not as a vague “we’ll see.” Their crews protect landscaping and fixtures without being told. Tarping shrubs, covering AC units, and moving planters are routine, not favors.
Cost ranges and what drives them
Prices vary with roof size, pitch, complexity, and choice of material. In the St. Louis area, a straightforward one-story, 20 to 30 square architectural shingle roof might land in the mid to high five figures, while larger or steeper homes with multiple penetrations or a low-slope section can push higher. Impact-rated shingle upgrades, copper or custom chimney flashings, skylight replacements, and decking repairs add cost. Insurance work tracks the carrier’s pricing software, but local labor and material realities still apply. If a bid looks far below the market, ask where the savings come from. Sometimes it is perfectly valid, like a simple gable with easy access. Other times the scope is thin.
Maintenance after the new roof goes on
A new roof is not maintenance-free. It is low maintenance if built right, but a few habits extend its life:
- Keep gutters clean. Overflow sends water behind fascia and into soffits, especially on steep eaves. Trim overhanging limbs. Shade fosters algae and falling branches scuff granules. Check flashings visually each spring and after severe storms. Binoculars work. Look for lifted pieces or missing sealant. Watch your attic. After a heavy rain or snow melt, a quick attic glance tells you if a seam is weeping. Do not pressure wash shingles. It removes granules and shortens life. If algae appears, ask about gentle cleaning treatments approved by the shingle manufacturer.
If you are selling your home, keep the paperwork. A transferable warranty and a photo record of the build give buyers confidence and can help your home stand out in a competitive market.
Special considerations for historic and brick-heavy homes
St. Louis has a lot of historic brick. Chimneys are common leak points because bricks and mortar move with temperature changes and absorb water. A quality job involves grinding a clean reglet into mortar joints for counterflashing rather than surface mounting with copious caulk. For slate or tile accents, technical judgment matters. Some roofs mix materials, with slate on a front porch and asphalt on the main house. The transitions require custom flashing and patience. Ask for past project photos if your home falls in this category.
Many homes also have built-in box gutters hidden behind fascia. These are a world unto themselves, often lined with metal or membrane. If yours are failing, a roofing project is the right time to address them. It can be more invasive and costly, but it is cheaper than repairing interior plaster after water finds a seam.
How Conner Roofing, LLC fits into the local picture
Contractors that work day in, day out in the St. Louis metro learn our quirks: soft pine decking in century homes, low-slope porch add-ons, strong summer sun that bakes south slopes, and ice-dam behavior on shaded eaves. Conner roofing services St. Louis MO typically emphasize full-system installs and code-compliant details that make the difference in our climate. For homeowners comparing Conner roofing service St. Louis to other options, weigh the clarity of the estimate, responsiveness during the process, and depth of their crew bench. Subcontract models can work fine, but consistent crews deliver more predictable results.
If you want to speak with a team familiar with neighborhoods from Tower Grove to Webster Groves, here is how to reach them.
Contact Us
Conner Roofing, LLC
Address: 7950 Watson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63119, United States
Phone: (314) 375-7475
Website: https://connerroofing.com/
A realistic timeline from start to finish
For planning purposes, here is how a typical homeowner experiences the process from first call to final check:
- Day 0 to 2: You contact the office and schedule an inspection. If you have an active leak, emergency tarping is arranged right away. Day 2 to 7: Inspection and estimate delivery. If insurance is involved, you may wait for the adjuster’s scope before finalizing. Product selection happens here. Day 7 to 21: Materials ordered, permit pulled if required, and the job is slotted on the calendar. Weather can shift dates. You receive a heads-up a few days in advance. Job day(s): Crew arrives early, sets protection, performs tear-off, decking repairs, underlayment, flashings, shingles, ventilation, and cleanup. Most homes wrap in one day. Day after: Dumpster and leftover materials are removed. Office sends final invoice and warranty documents. If insurance is involved, completion photos go to the carrier to release depreciation.
Your experience may be faster in quiet seasons and slower after big storms. What matters most is steady communication. A contractor who calls when weather forces a delay will also pick up the phone if you need help a year later.
What homeowners can do to make the project smoother
A little prep on your side helps. Move cars out of the driveway the night before so the crew can stage and so your vehicles avoid nails. Take fragile items off walls, because hammering can rattle picture frames. Mark sprinkler heads and buried dog fences near the driveway or curb if a dumpster will sit there. If you have attic storage, cover valuables with plastic. Let neighbors know about the work, especially if parking is tight. These small steps prevent most avoidable snags.
The bottom line
A roof replacement is equal parts planning, craftsmanship, and care for the property. In St. Louis, those three pieces get stress-tested by weather every year. When you choose a contractor like Conner Roofing, LLC, look beyond the shingle brand to the plan: how they assess your roof, how they document and price the work, how they schedule around weather, the way they handle flashings and ventilation, and how they clean up and stand behind what they build. That is what protects your home from the first hard rain after install to the twenty-year mark when you barely remember what the old roof looked like.