Cost of Roof Replacement in New Jersey: What to Expect

If you’re a homeowner in New Jersey, and there’s a looming roof replacement threat in your life – you’re probably wondering what kind of dent it’s going to put in your wallet, of course. Turns out, it’s not a one-size-fits-all answer, as with most things in life.

The best way to try and understand New Jersey roof replacement costs is to find out all the key factors, break them down, and arrive at the final price.

Fortified Roofing will share inside industry secrets with you that we have learned from our nearly 3 decades of experience installing roofs for over 8,000 homeowners. This information will be a vital tool for you as you navigate the somewhat complex journey of settling on the right roofing company for you.

The Bigger the Roof, the Bigger the Bill

The size of your roof plays the most important role in determining the cost of replacement. It’s simple math, really – the more square footage you have, the more materials and labor you’re going to need.

But the total square footage is one thing. And complexity is a wholly different aspect that also plays a pivotal role here. This is why any roofing contractor in New Jersey worth their salt won’t give you a direct quote without fully understanding what type of roof you’ve got.

Other factors such as whether you are adding a layer of roof shingles over the top of your existing roof or tearing off your existing roof will affect the price too. How many layers are being removed will also factor in, along with the types of roofing material that are installed.

An average sized asphalt shingled roof that is not too steep should cost around $9,800.00. A bottom feeder might save you around $400.00 off that price. While a one sit closer (see “Hiring the Right Roofer” below for more info) could try to extract $20,000.00 or more from you!

Budget-Friendly or High-End Materials?

Next up, we have the materials. There are dozens of materials to choose from. And the roofing material costs in New Jersey tend to be on the higher side. But don’t worry, there are options for every price range.

Before you start getting quotes for roof installation or replacement, we recommend you do your homework and learn about the pros and cons of all materials. You have to determine what will be the best for you, though it’s true that a professional roofer’s insight is going to be very valuable as well.

When you already know what type of materials you need, it makes the whole process of getting quotations and discussing timelines with potential roofing companies much easier.

New Jersey roof replacement costs can go higher or lower based on what materials you choose. Asphalt shingles are the most affordable (and common) of the lot. There are many colors and styles to choose from, and everyone can find something to go with their taste. They are also easier to install so the labor costs also stay low.

But there are other affordable roofing options in New Jersey as well. Metal, tile, or slate can be pretty affordable for smaller homes and you get much more durability out of them. All these materials can withstand harsher weather conditions while needing minimal maintenance.

Labor Costs

Compared to its neighbors like New York and Pennsylvania, the construction-related labor costs in New Jersey are comparatively lower. And in New Jersey, things are perfectly aligned with the average. For example, the national average of a 2,000 sq. ft. home metal roof is $17,521. In New Jersey, it’s $17,763.

For sure, the labor costs for roof replacement in New Jersey are a significant factor – but it’s also something that you should be generous about. A higher labor cost doesn’t just mean they’re charging more, but it actually means a better job being done, more polishing, and better attention to detail. Money buys quality. And in this case, quality can reward you with a longer lifespan on your new roof.

Of course, experienced and reputable roofing contractors will most likely charge more. And this is where we want you to focus when calculating your New Jersey roof replacement costs.

Have a professional roofer take a look at your roof. Additional angles, dormers, and other challenging features might increase the timeline and quotation. For example, some angles require more skill to install, and sometimes, the old roof needs to be completely torn off before a new one can be installed, so that also increases the cost as well.

But if an expert team does this, it’s going to be significantly better. There’s an unspoken guarantee that comes with expertise. So, yes, if the average roofing price in New Jersey seems high to you, and you’re looking for something cheaper, we want you to keep your budget for the labor costs high, ideally.

Don’t Forget the Red Tape

Now, it’s one thing to get a hold of local roofing contractors in New Jersey, and another to actually get the job done properly. You need the proper paperwork – permits and licenses – to replace your roof. Local building codes in New Jersey require permits and inspections for replacements. It’s all just to ensure that the work being done is safe and up to code.

Various fees are associated with these things, and you should factor in these costs. Check with your local building department for specific information because the size and complexity of the project will determine the fee.

Hiring the Right Roofer

It is always advisable to get at least three quotes when shopping for a new roof. Depending upon who you call, there may be a large disparity in the estimates that you receive to replace your old roof. There are basically three types of business models in the world of roofing installers.

1. The One Sit Closer

These companies are the ones that you should always steer clear of. You may have heard horror stories from friends or neighbors about a company that came to their home and spent 2 HOURS telling them what a great job they would do of installing a new roof and then after all that time of schmoozing and promising everything under the sun, they presented an outrageous price that may have been as much as three times more than what a new roof should actually cost.

The one sit closers will then very aggressively attempt to get you to sign a contract and hire them right there on the spot. These companies know that they are ripping you off and they know that once they leave and you call a competent roofing company and find out what a roof should actually cost, you will never call them back. Hence the term, “One Sit Close”. They are fully aware that if they don’t “close” the deal with you on the spot, that you will never buy from them.

One sit closers will try to justify their ridiculous prices by offering you all kinds of upgrades that may only cost them a couple of hundred dollars, but they will charge you thousands for them! One major red flag that will alert you to their intentions from the very beginning is that they will require that all owners of the property are at your home when they come over for their presentation. This is so that they have a better chance of convincing both of you simultaneously to sign a contract rather than having you tell them that you need to talk to your spouse before you’ll sign.

2. The Bottom Feeder

The barriers to entry in becoming a roofing contractor in most states are not very high. If your state even requires contractors to have a license, the qualifications are usually minimal. Most states do not require any type of degree, certification or training for someone to start calling themself a roofer. Startup costs are also very low.

These easy qualifications tend to breed bottom feeders that are looking to get in on a business that typically offers large amounts of cash flow, but small profits. These types of roofers will often show significant signs of unprofessionalism. They will show up late for appointments, they will give you a written estimate on paper rather than a digital contract, and their overall appearance will usually seem less professional. These roofers will use a low price to hook you in as an attempt to compensate for their obvious inadequacies.

Think about this, if they are so unorganized that they show up late for an initial estimate appointment or fail to even show up at all, how will they respond if you call them to report a problem with your roof 6 months after you’ve already paid them for the job?

Hiring a bottom feeder to put a roof on your house is like playing Russian roulette. You may get lucky and have them do a decent job or you may be faced with a complete nightmare. Consider this as your warning!

3. The Certified Roofing Contractor

Choosing a certified roofing contractor will ensure that your roof is replaced in a timely manner and that the job will be done in a professional way. GAF Master Elite Certified Contractors are the most highly regarded in residential roofing. Only approximately 3% of roofers nationwide carry this esteemed certification.

By hiring a Master Elite Roofer, such as Fortified Roofing, you will be working with a contractor that has years of experience installing roofs the right way. Certified Contractors will also be able to sell you upgraded warranties that other contractors do not have access to. These certified roofers are committed to using the highest quality roofing materials and they are part of a program that offers them continuing education on all of the newest installation methods and products that are available in the roofing industry.

In Conclusion

John Kabourakis, the owner of Fortified Roofing, says that New Jersey roof replacement costs range anywhere from $8,000 to $12,000  for the majority of households. Yes, you can bring it down by choosing cheaper materials and new contractors with lower prices – but you have to be judicious about saving money here.

Also, keep in mind that there could be some unexpected surprises. We’re talking hidden damage, structural issues, etc., that can throw a wrench in your plans and increase the final cost. Rotting wood, leaks, inadequate ventilation, a termite infestation in your attic – we’ve seen all this impact the final cost. So, have some buffer ready in your roof installation expenses in New Jersey because you never know.

You might want to look into financing roof replacement in New Jersey if you’re going for a major upgrade or more expensive materials. And if you think a replacement isn’t really necessary (vs. repair), don’t forget that some types of damage can cause much bigger headaches  down the line! Do your due diligence in comparing roof repair vs. replacement in New Jersey before you make up your mind.

Fortified Roofing is a GAF Master Elite Certified Roofing Company with over 25 years of experience in residential roofing. Fortified Roofing has installed over 8,000 roofs since its inception, and they have hundreds of 5-star reviews that complement everything about them including their professionalism, communication, workmanship and pricing.

If you have any questions about the cost of a new roof in New Jersey, feel free to reach out to the Fortified Roofing team! With decades of combined experience in the roofing industry, we’re a trusted local company ready to provide you with transparent pricing and top-quality service tailored to your needs.