Questions and answers

An independent roofing contractor that works in your area, or a referral service that connects you with one. This site does not employ roofers. The contractor gives you its own price and is responsible for its work.

No. Ask questions, have the roof looked at and decide in your own time. Getting more than one price for a full replacement is normal.

Home improvement contractors, including roofers, must register with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs. Check a registration at njconsumeraffairs.gov or call 1-800-242-5846, and make sure the registration number is on the contract.

On a detached one- or two-family home, replacing the roof covering is ordinary maintenance in New Jersey and needs no permit (DCA). Attached homes, additions and structural work do need one. The NJ roof rules guide has the details.

It is for homeowners planning a replacement or a new roof. If you are not sure your roof needs replacing, read repair or replace? and ask the contractor for both options.

Calls are answered Mon–Fri 8:30am–7pm, Sat 9am–4pm, Eastern time.

The roof work itself is often a few days on a typical house, longer on a steep or complicated roof. Material delivery and weather add time. Ask for the whole timeline, not only the days on the roof.

Not for replacing the roof covering on a detached one- or two-family home: New Jersey classes that as ordinary maintenance. Attached homes and structural work are not covered by that rule. The township's Building Department answers questions about your address.

Sometimes, but most contractors recommend a tear-off so the deck can be inspected and repaired. A second layer also adds weight and hides problems. Ask the contractor why they recommend one or the other for your roof.

The roof is usually part of the addition's construction permit rather than a separate one. The municipal construction office for your town issues it; this site's town pages list each office.

Often closely, not always exactly. Colors fade and lines are discontinued. If a near match is not good enough, the contractor can price reroofing the whole house at the same time.

Either can work. What matters is that one company is clearly responsible for the tie-in and that every contractor working on your home is registered with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.

It depends on the product, ventilation, sun exposure and how well it was installed. A contractor can look at your roof and estimate how much life it has left.

Dark streaks are usually algae. They look bad but are rarely a reason to replace a roof on their own. Moss, which holds moisture against the shingles, is more of a concern.

Not on a detached one- or two-family home, where New Jersey treats replacing the roof covering as ordinary maintenance (DCA). The work still has to meet code.

Over a solid deck with underlayment and an insulated attic, most people find it no louder than shingles. Open-framed porches are the exception.

Some systems allow it, but many contractors prefer a tear-off so the deck can be checked. Ask why they recommend one approach over the other.

Yes. Some homeowners put metal on a porch or a low-slope section and keep shingles on the main roof. Ask how the two will be flashed where they meet.

No. A well-built one has a slight pitch toward a gutter, scupper or drain. Water that sits for days after rain is a sign the slope or drainage needs work.

Only if it has enough pitch for the shingle maker's minimum slope. Otherwise a membrane is the right choice.

Replacing the roof covering on a detached one- or two-family home is ordinary maintenance in New Jersey (DCA). Changing the framing to add slope is structural work; ask the construction office.

It usually takes more planning: lifts or scaffolding, a place for the dumpster, and protection for decks and stairs. Ask the contractor how they will handle access on your lot.

Metal is common on shore houses and lasts a long time, but shingles also work when they are installed for wind. Compare both, and ask how the warranty treats a coastal location.

A roof replacement alone does not change a flood zone. If it is part of a larger renovation, ask the township whether the project could count as a substantial improvement.

Age alone does not decide it. A roof in fair shape with one damaged spot may be worth repairing; one that is worn everywhere usually is not. Ask the contractor for an honest estimate of the years left after a repair.

Often, if the patch fixes the actual cause and is not hiding a wider problem. It is reasonable to ask for both a repair price and a replacement price.

They focus on full replacements and new roofs. If your roof only needs a small fix, a repair-focused roofer may suit you better.