72,000 permits from 3,553 contractors across 18 kinds of work in the City of Saint Paul, July 2022 through June 2025: about 24,000 a year. Electrical is the biggest trade with 17,041 permits. The busiest month for filings is October. Records run through June 2025; the city's file has nothing newer for us to read.
Firms are distinct business names on the file. A linked usual filed value opens what that work costs. Finished is the share of permits a year or more old that the city closed out. Days to finish run from issue to the city's completion date, not from application.
| Trade | Permits | Firms | Active last 12 mo | Usual filed value | Finished | Days to finish | Busiest month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical | 17,041 | 671 | 504 | $1,100 | 84.6% | 54 | August |
| Roofing | 16,928 | 1,322 | 674 | $12,600 | 76.3% | 128 | September |
| HVAC & Gas | 14,402 | 253 | 171 | $6,300 | 64.1% | 150 | November |
| Plumbing | 9,210 | 384 | 286 | $2,500 | 99.7% | 77 | January |
| Windows & Doors | 4,513 | 463 | 223 | $7,500 | 68.0% | 109 | October |
| Remodel & Repair | 3,037 | 950 | 480 | $15,000 | 60.1% | 206 | October |
| Fence | 1,964 | 81 | 37 | $6,697 | — | — | July |
| Siding | 1,112 | 366 | 163 | $14,700 | 65.5% | 186 | May |
| Solar | 823 | 32 | 23 | $5,000 | 93.8% | 69 | February |
| Drain Tile & Waterproofing | 747 | 43 | 22 | $8,260 | 63.4% | 106 | August |
| Garage & Accessory | 538 | 144 | 56 | $16,128 | 73.1% | 207 | August |
| Deck, Porch & Steps | 465 | 269 | 112 | $9,675 | 53.1% | 196 | July |
| Fireplace & Stove | 317 | 22 | 11 | $6,700 | 75.6% | 55 | January |
| Stucco & Plaster | 272 | 44 | 25 | $5,000 | 92.9% | 134 | October |
| Addition | 220 | 149 | 67 | $94,000 | 54.0% | 429 | August |
| New Home | 172 | 67 | 24 | $342,000 | 49.7% | 559 | September |
| Radon Mitigation | 138 | 36 | 27 | $600 | 98.7% | 224 | September |
| Demolition | 101 | 45 | 23 | $12,000 | 75.0% | 263 | March |
The file we publish splits exactly into the last 12 months on file and the 24 months before them, so these are 12-month periods ending June 2025, not calendar years. Per year scales each period to 12 months. Counts cover the 18 kinds of home work we track, not every permit Saint Paul issues.
| Period | Months | Permits | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2022–Jun 2024 | 24 | 51,268 | 25,634 |
| Jul 2024–Jun 2025 (last 12 months on file) | 12 | 20,732 | 20,732 |
Share of filings by month, 100 = an average month (the thin line). The 11 biggest trades (every trade with 500 or more permits), July 2022 through June 2025. A tall bar is a busy month at the permit counter, which usually means a longer wait for a contractor.
17,041 permits · busiest August, quietest February
16,928 permits · busiest September, quietest January
14,402 permits · busiest November, quietest May
9,210 permits · busiest January, quietest December
4,513 permits · busiest October, quietest January
3,037 permits · busiest October, quietest November
1,964 permits · busiest July, quietest February
1,112 permits · busiest May, quietest February
823 permits · busiest February, quietest January
747 permits · busiest August, quietest February
538 permits · busiest August, quietest January
| Trade | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical | 91 | 76 | 83 | 103 | 107 | 112 | 111 | 121 | 99 | 113 | 100 | 84 |
| Roofing | 12 | 20 | 49 | 86 | 114 | 100 | 151 | 184 | 196 | 191 | 78 | 20 |
| HVAC & Gas | 113 | 90 | 88 | 87 | 86 | 102 | 104 | 97 | 87 | 116 | 126 | 103 |
| Plumbing | 115 | 101 | 112 | 102 | 97 | 96 | 91 | 95 | 92 | 106 | 103 | 89 |
| Windows & Doors | 67 | 71 | 92 | 99 | 86 | 115 | 104 | 116 | 120 | 133 | 106 | 92 |
| Remodel & Repair | 106 | 93 | 104 | 99 | 100 | 106 | 107 | 110 | 94 | 111 | 84 | 84 |
| Fence | 20 | 12 | 75 | 112 | 178 | 159 | 183 | 136 | 96 | 119 | 67 | 42 |
| Siding | 76 | 50 | 107 | 99 | 128 | 108 | 107 | 108 | 116 | 124 | 106 | 70 |
| Solar | 66 | 141 | 86 | 73 | 111 | 95 | 105 | 106 | 117 | 118 | 111 | 71 |
| Drain Tile & Waterproofing | 79 | 58 | 112 | 100 | 95 | 114 | 104 | 132 | 116 | 130 | 69 | 92 |
| Garage & Accessory | 0 | 42 | 104 | 82 | 124 | 130 | 181 | 190 | 174 | 121 | 44 | 9 |
For each trade, the month with the most permit filings and the month with the fewest, July 2022 through June 2025. Trades do not all peak together, so the busy season depends on the job. Busiest is not the same as best: these are counts of filings, not prices or weather, though a quiet month at the permit counter can mean contractors have more room in the schedule.
August: Saint Paul electrical permits peak in August (121 against an average month of 100, about 10% of a year's filings); February is the quietest (76). That is from 17,041 permits, July 2022 through June 2025. If you can choose when to schedule electrical work, February has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 54 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the electrical chart →
September: Saint Paul roofing permits peak in September (196 against an average month of 100, about 16% of a year's filings); January is the quietest (12). That is from 16,928 permits, July 2022 through June 2025. If you can choose when to schedule roofing work, January has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 128 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the roofing chart →
November: Saint Paul HVAC & gas permits peak in November (126 against an average month of 100, about 10% of a year's filings); May is the quietest (86). That is from 14,402 permits, July 2022 through June 2025. If you can choose when to schedule HVAC work, May has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 150 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the HVAC & gas chart →
January: Saint Paul plumbing permits peak in January (115 against an average month of 100, about 10% of a year's filings); December is the quietest (89). That is from 9,210 permits, July 2022 through June 2025. If you can choose when to schedule plumbing work, December has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 77 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the plumbing chart →
October: Saint Paul windows & doors permits peak in October (133 against an average month of 100, about 11% of a year's filings); January is the quietest (67). That is from 4,513 permits, July 2022 through June 2025. If you can choose when to schedule window replacement, January has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 109 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the windows & doors chart →
October: Saint Paul remodel & repair permits peak in October (111 against an average month of 100, about 9% of a year's filings); November is the quietest (84). That is from 3,037 permits, July 2022 through June 2025. If you can choose when to schedule a home remodel, November has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 206 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the remodel & repair chart →
July: Saint Paul fence permits peak in July (183 against an average month of 100, about 15% of a year's filings); February is the quietest (12). That is from 1,964 permits, July 2022 through June 2025. If you can choose when to schedule fence installation, February has the fewest filings. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the fence chart →
May: Saint Paul siding permits peak in May (128 against an average month of 100, about 11% of a year's filings); February is the quietest (50). That is from 1,112 permits, July 2022 through June 2025. If you can choose when to schedule siding work, February has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 186 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the siding chart →
February: Saint Paul solar permits peak in February (141 against an average month of 100, about 12% of a year's filings); January is the quietest (66). That is from 823 permits, July 2022 through June 2025. If you can choose when to schedule solar installation, January has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 69 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the solar chart →
August: Saint Paul drain tile & waterproofing permits peak in August (132 against an average month of 100, about 11% of a year's filings); February is the quietest (58). That is from 747 permits, July 2022 through June 2025. If you can choose when to schedule waterproofing work, February has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 106 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the drain tile & waterproofing chart →
August: Saint Paul garage & accessory permits peak in August (190 against an average month of 100, about 16% of a year's filings); January is the quietest (0). That is from 538 permits, July 2022 through June 2025. If you can choose when to schedule garage construction, January has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 207 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month. See the garage & accessory chart →
July: Saint Paul deck, porch & steps permits peak in July (163 against an average month of 100, about 14% of a year's filings); February is the quietest (26). That is from 465 permits, July 2022 through June 2025. If you can choose when to schedule a deck build, February has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 196 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month.
January: Saint Paul fireplace & stove permits peak in January (148 against an average month of 100, about 12% of a year's filings); May is the quietest (34). That is from 317 permits, July 2022 through June 2025. If you can choose when to schedule fireplace and stove work, May has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 55 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month.
October: Saint Paul stucco & plaster permits peak in October (168 against an average month of 100, about 14% of a year's filings); December is the quietest (18). That is from 272 permits, July 2022 through June 2025. If you can choose when to schedule stucco work, December has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 134 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month.
August: Saint Paul addition permits peak in August (151 against an average month of 100, about 13% of a year's filings); January is the quietest (54). That is from 220 permits, July 2022 through June 2025. If you can choose when to schedule a home addition, January has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 429 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month.
September: Saint Paul new home permits peak in September (236 against an average month of 100, about 20% of a year's filings); February is the quietest (7). That is from 172 permits, July 2022 through June 2025. If you can choose when to schedule new home construction, February has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 559 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month.
September: Saint Paul radon mitigation permits peak in September (200 against an average month of 100, about 17% of a year's filings); May is the quietest (35). That is from 138 permits, July 2022 through June 2025. If you can choose when to schedule radon mitigation work, May has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 224 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month.
March: Saint Paul demolition permits peak in March (128 against an average month of 100, about 11% of a year's filings); September is the quietest (47). That is from 101 permits, July 2022 through June 2025. If you can choose when to schedule demolition, September has the fewest filings; the usual permit then takes 263 days from issue to sign-off. Busiest is not the same as best: this counts filings, not prices or weather, and we have no prices by month.
Top 10 by permits pulled in the last 12 months on file (Jul 2024–Jun 2025), all trades. This is volume, not quality: a busy firm is not a careful one. Pick what you value on the compare page to build a ranking.
| Contractor | Trades | Last 12 mo | All permits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonfes Plbg & Htg Inc | Electrical, HVAC & Gas, Plumbing | 550 | 1,759 |
| St Paul Plbg & Htg Co - MSP Plbg | HVAC & Gas, Plumbing | 512 | 1,611 |
| Powerhouse Electric Inc | Electrical | 424 | 1,216 |
| Hero Home Services dba Hero Plumbing Heating & Cooling | Electrical, HVAC & Gas, Plumbing | 406 | 1,171 |
| Standard Heating & Air Conditioning Inc | HVAC & Gas, Plumbing | 399 | 1,354 |
| Dean's Professional Plumbing | Electrical, HVAC & Gas, Plumbing | 351 | 798 |
| Renewal by Andersen LLC | Windows & Doors, Remodel & Repair | 334 | 1,048 |
| Boehm Heating Co | HVAC & Gas | 303 | 909 |
| McQuillan Home Services LLC | Electrical, HVAC & Gas, Plumbing | 296 | 1,082 |
| Spark Electric Co | Electrical | 283 | 970 |
Each permit counted at its property's ZIP code, July 2022 through June 2025, for the 18 kinds of home work we track. The 10 busiest of 12 ZIP codes with 100 or more permits; each opens permits by trade and the most active contractors there.
| ZIP code | Permits | Share | Top trade | Usual home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55104 | 11,531 | 16% | Electrical | $288,000 |
| 55105 | 11,324 | 16% | Electrical | $452,000 |
| 55106 | 11,096 | 15% | Roofing | $240,000 |
| 55116 | 10,068 | 14% | Electrical | $434,000 |
| 55119 | 6,199 | 9% | Roofing | $262,000 |
| 55117 | 6,162 | 9% | Roofing | $253,000 |
| 55108 | 3,887 | 5% | Electrical | $372,000 |
| 55102 | 3,273 | 5% | Electrical | $262,000 |
| 55107 | 3,068 | 4% | Electrical | $242,000 |
| 55130 | 2,248 | 3% | Roofing | $228,000 |
Source: City of Saint Paul approved building permits. The window is July 2022 through June 2025; a permit filed after that isn't here yet.
A filed value is what the contractor wrote on the permit when they applied. It is not a quote and not the final bill.
Counts are permits, not jobs: one job can need several permits, and one permit can cover several visits. 67.1% of the 3,553 firms on the file match an active license at Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry contractor files; the match goes by name and can miss one.
Nobody paid to be on this page and nobody can. How the records work in Saint Paul →
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