Home Repair Decoded

Home Repair Costs in St. Louis

In the St. Louis metro area, the median wage is $37.02 an hour for plumbers and $37.10 for electricians (BLS, 2025). Costs below are our estimates using those local wages.

Permits in St. Louis

In St. Louis, a residential building permit is needed for new structures including garages, carports and room additions, accessory buildings over 50 square feet, and a new roof that is not a like-for-like replacement or where more than 25% of the sheathing is replaced. Properties in historic districts or flood zones may need separate approvals.

City of St. Louis Building Division

Usually no permit is needed for ordinary repairs to residential buildings of up to four units, accessory buildings of 50 square feet or less that meet zoning setbacks, retaining walls 18 inches or less in height, or like-for-like fence replacement with the same height, material and location.

Estimated cost of common jobs

JobLowHigh
Water Heater Replacement$790$2,150
Roof Replacement$6,800$21,400
AC Replacement$3,800$9,100
Furnace Replacement$2,950$8,400
Toilet Replacement$240$1,000
Electrical Panel Upgrade$1,150$3,500
Drain Cleaning$110$470
Garage Door Repair$80$650

Hourly rates

TradeMedian wageBilled lowBilled high
Plumber$37.02$93$167
Electrician$37.10$93$167
HVAC Technician$30.29$76$136
Handyman$25.93$65$117
Roofer$28.25$71$127
Carpenter$34.13$85$154
Painter$28.75$72$129

Missouri contractor licensing

Sources

General information, not professional advice. Conditions, codes and prices vary. Turn off power, gas or water before any work, and hire a licensed professional when in doubt. Cost figures are our estimates, not quotes.