Roofing license requirements in South Dakota

Who needs a license

Licensed by city or county. The state does not license roofers. Your city or county may. Ask your building department what it asks of a roofer.

No South Dakota agency issues a roofing or general contractor license. Cities set their own rules. Sioux Falls issues a Residential Roofing & Repair Contractor license that needs an open-book exam, a $20,000 compliance bond and $300,000 liability insurance. Rapid City also licenses contractors. Ask to see the city license for the city where the house sits, plus proof of insurance.

Bond and insurance

A license or registration is not insurance. Ask every roofer for a certificate of general liability and workers' compensation insurance. Then call the insurer to confirm the policy is active. If the state asks a roofer for a bond, the rules above say so.

Roof insurance rules in South Dakota

You can cancel a storm damage roofing contract within 72 hours after you sign it, or within 72 hours after your insurer denies the claim in whole or in part. If a roofer advertises or promises to pay or rebate your deductible, the contract is void.

Permits

Confirm roof permit requirements with the building department responsible for your address and scope of work. Agree with your contractor who will obtain any required permit and arrange inspections before work begins.

How to verify a roofer's license

South Dakota has no state license lookup for roofers. Ask the roofer for proof of insurance, and call the insurer to confirm it. If your city or county licenses roofers, ask its building department how to check a license.