What happens on replacement day

Most of the roofs we replace are finished in one day: the old roof is off in the morning, the new one is on by the afternoon, and the property is cleaned before the crew leaves. Customers mention it more than anything else in our reviews, including one homeowner whose 30-year-old roof was replaced in about five hours plus cleanup. Bigger or more complicated roofs take longer, and we tell you that when we quote.

The work, step by step

Protect the property. Tarps go over the shrubs, garden beds, windows and driveway. The dumpster goes where you want it.
Tear off down to the deck. Every layer of old shingles and underlayment comes off. We never shingle over an old roof, because a second layer hides the deck and adds weight.
Inspect and repair the deck. With the roof open, soft or rotted sheathing can finally be seen, and it gets replaced rather than covered.
Ice and water protection. A self-adhering membrane goes along the eaves and into the valleys, where North Jersey's freeze and thaw cycles build ice dams.
Underlayment and drip edge. Synthetic underlayment over the rest of the deck and new metal drip edge along the edges.
New flashing. Chimneys, walls, skylights and vent pipes get new flashing. Reusing old flashing is one of the most common reasons a brand new roof leaks.
Shingles and ventilation. Architectural shingles are nailed to the manufacturer's pattern, and the ridge vent is matched to intake at the soffits so the attic can breathe.
Cleanup, nails included. The yard, driveway and beds are cleared of debris and nails before the crew leaves. One reviewer's landscaper went looking afterward and found nothing.

Choosing between quotes

Two roof quotes can differ by thousands of dollars and still both be honest, because they describe different jobs. Ask every contractor to put four things in writing: the shingle line, the underlayment, the flashing work and the ventilation plan. Ask too how rotted decking will be handled and priced if it turns up. A cheap quote usually gets cheap in one of those places, and none of them can be seen from the ground once the job is finished.

If the gutters are near the end of their life, replacement day is the right time to do them too. Our seamless gutter installation ties into the new drip edge, so nobody has to disturb a new roof later.

When a replacement is the right answer

Widespread curling or cracking, heavy granule loss, leaks in more than one place, or a roof past about 20 years old usually mean a repair will only move you to the next leak. If you are not sure, we can inspect the roof first and tell you honestly how much life it has left.

Common questions

How long does a roof replacement take?

Most homes are done in one day, from tear-off to cleanup. Very large roofs, steep roofs, multiple layers or a lot of rotted decking can add a day, and we tell you when we quote.

Do I need to be home during the replacement?

No. It helps if cars are out of the driveway and the garage is clear, and we recommend moving anything fragile off attic floors and high shelves, because a tear-off shakes the house.

What does a roof replacement cost in North Jersey?

It depends on the size and pitch, how many layers come off, the deck's condition and the shingle line you choose. Our cost guide explains each factor. We give you a written price after measuring the roof.

Do you install over my existing shingles?

No. Every replacement is a full tear-off so the deck can be inspected and repaired before the new roof goes on.

What warranty comes with a new roof?

There are two: the shingle manufacturer's warranty on the material and our own warranty on the workmanship. Both are spelled out on your quote. See our warranty page.

This page was last updated in September 2026.

Roof replacement, most done in one day