Want to learn more about solar panel installation and the services we offer?Roof Replacement Cost in NJ: How to Prepare for the Process
Are you planning to install solar panels? If so, you may need to replace or repair your roof. Common signs that it’s time to replace your roof include chipped paint, missing shingles, old age, and sagging.
If your roof needs to be repaired or replaced soon and you wait until after the solar panels are already on it, you’ll have to take them off and put them back on again. This would cost you extra time, money, and labor.
Additionally, a roof that needs repairing might not be able to support the weight of a solar panel. For these reasons, it’s best to get it out of the way before you put your solar panels on.
Today, we’ll talk about the roof replacement cost in NJ, as well as other aspects of replacing your roof. We hope to help you better understand the roof replacement process so that installing your solar panels is a breeze.
How Much New Roofing Will You Need?
Typically, it’s best to replace or repair your entire roof when installing solar panels. How much new roofing you’ll need depends on the surface area, height, and pitch roof. The pitch (or slope) is how many inches the roof rises for every 12 inches toward its peak.
Before starting your roof replacement in NJ, you should measure your roof. Thankfully, you won’t need to get on top of your roof to get these measurements. You can do so from your attic instead.
Cost for Roof Replacement in NJ
Your roof replacement cost in NJ will be based on several stages of the process. You’ll need to consider the cost of removing your roof, the roof’s material, and your labor costs.
Removal
Part of the cost of a new roof in NJ includes removing your old roof. This can cost $1-5 per square foot, not including the cost of labor. Rotting timber and shingle removal can add to these costs. Your total roof removal costs will depend on the amount of work needed and the type of material being removed.
You’ll also need to pay for the labor involved in removing your roof. Depending on your contractor and the amount of work needed, this can cost between $40 and $80 per hour.
Labor Per Square Feet
In addition to the cost of labor for your roof removal, you’ll also need to consider the cost of labor per square feet of roof you’ll be working with. You should expect to pay between $1.50 and $3 per square foot or $150 to $300 per square of roofing. What you’ll pay for a roof repair in NJ depends on the current condition of your roof, shingles, and other factors.
Material
Material costs play a significant role in determining the cost of your roof replacement or repair. Some materials cost more than others, with the new roof cost in NJ ranging between $100 and $1,00 per square. More expensive materials may have certain benefits over cheaper ones, so it’s not always wise to cut corners when selecting your roofing material.
New Roof Costs in NJ By Material
Every roofing material is a little bit different, and they all come with various costs. Here, we’ll discuss some of the more common options and the associated costs. We’ll assume a 1,200 sq ft roof replacement cost for these calculations.
Metal
Metal roofs provide durability, warmth in the winter, and coolness in the summer. However, they can be a bit pricey. The average metal roof cost for 1,200 sq ft could be anywhere from $7,200-$19,800. In New Jersey, you’re realistically looking at $11,3289-$14,827 for this much roofing.
Asphalt
Asphalt is a rather common type of roofing material, lasting 15-30 years. It’s a lightweight material, and its lifespan depends on the climate. In New Jersey, the 1,200 sq ft roof replacement cost is around $3,194. Asphalt shingles cost between $200 and $330 per roof square.
Wood Shake
Wood shake has a lovely natural look that some homeowners love. This rustic material is a great insulator, too. However, it can be difficult to care for. If you’re able to maintain wood shake, it will likely cost $7,984-$10,493 per 1,200 sq ft in New Jersey.
Synthetic Materials
You can also source synthetic materials for your roof, like rubber or plastic. As alternatives to wood shakes, synthetic materials tend to be lightweight, durable, and attractive. They’re also considerably more expensive than the other materials we’ve discussed, costing about $20,000 for a roof replacement in NJ.
Reshingling Roof Repair in NJ
Shingling gives the appearance of overlapping roof material. Simply put, reshingling is the process of re-adding shingles to a roof during a roof replacement. Some people believe that shingles are a single type of material, but actually, they can be made from a wide variety of materials. If you’re replacing a roof with shingles on it, you’ll have to reshingle it, too.
How Much Is It to Reshingle a Roof?
Reshingling a roof can vary in price depending on where you live. In New Jersey, reshingling a roof can cost between $5,300 and $11,000. This includes both the removal of your old shingles and the installation of your new ones.
As discussed, some materials cost more than others to install. This causes the cost of reshingling your roof to fluctuate. Also, shingles are difficult to remove, and some jobs may be more challenging than others. This can affect the price, too.
How to Choose the Right Contractor
When replacing your roof to install solar panels, your first step will likely be choosing a contractor. In New Jersey, you have many options to choose from. When selecting a company to work with, there are a few things to consider.
Ask Around
One of the easiest ways to find a roofing contractor is to ask your friends, family, and community for recommendations. If you don’t know anyone who’s had their roof repaired or replaced in New Jersey, you can ask people on community-based social media platforms, like Facebook groups, local subreddits on Reddit, and Nextdoor.
Make Sure They’re Licensed
Working with a licensed contractor ensures that your roofing work will be done by trained professionals who know what they’re doing. Unlicensed contractors are more likely not to install your roof properly, which can be dangerous, especially if you’re installing solar panels.
To see if a contractor is licensed in New Jersey, you can look them up with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs’ verification tool. You can also call this division at 973-504-6370 for this information.
Look for Lifetime Guarantees
Even with the best contractors, mistakes happen. A lifetime guarantee ensures that your contractor will redo their work if it doesn’t hold up. It also shows the contracting company’s confidence in its work. If you sell your home, you may even be able to sell this warranty to the next owners!
Look for Transparency
A good contractor will discuss every aspect of your roof replacement or repair with you, including a timeline and any associated costs. You should not feel like you’ll receive any surprise bills, and your contractor should ensure that you understand the entire process. If you don’t understand why the cost of a new roof is priced as it is, for example, your contractor should be able to explain that effectively to you. They should also explain any terms you aren’t familiar with.
Read Reviews
When choosing your contractor, it’s important to gather outside opinions. Read some Yelp, Google, and Facebook reviews of contractors to ensure other homeowners were satisfied with the work performed. Don’t take one bad review to mean the contractor isn’t a good fit, but it may be wise to read any responses to those bad reviews. Remember, professionalism matters!
You can also look at a contractor’s rating through the Better Business Bureau. This reputable source accredits businesses that uphold the non-profit’s rigorous standards. They also provide ratings for companies and contractors based on reviews and complaints.
Choosing the right contractor is essential, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Before working with them, take some time to research your contractor, and you should be good to go.
FAQ
What is the Average Cost of a New Roof: 1,200 Sq Ft?
There are different types of roof jobs you may have to do to install solar panels on your roof.
In this section, we’ll talk about getting a completely new roof — taking the structure off of your roof to rebuild it. This ensures that the roof is fully stable and can support your solar panels.
A new roof in NJ can cost between $3.50 and $14 per square foot or $4,200-$16,800 per 1,200 sq ft.
How Long Do Roofs Last in New Jersey?
You may be asking yourself, just how long do roofs last in NJ? Some materials last longer than others. Here’s how long different roofing materials hold up in New Jersey:
- Asphalt shingles: 15-30 years
- Metal: 50-75 years
- Synthetic materials (rubber, etc.): 30-50 years
- Wood: 20-25 years
These estimates are fairly trustworthy for how long your roof may last. However, we also need to consider New Jersey’s climate and its effect on your roof. New Jersey sees tropical storms and hurricanes, both of which can damage your roof. If you believe your roof has been damaged in a storm, you should definitely repair or replace it to prevent leaks and remove any rot.
What Would a 1,200 Sq Ft Roof Replacement Cost Be?
If your contractor inspects the structure of your roof and finds it can support the weight of a solar panel, they’ll likely just have to replace it. Replacing the roof involves reshingling and replacing the undercoat, as well as repairing any surface damage to the base of the roof.
It’s unlikely that you’ll simply need to reroof (laying new shingles over existing shingles) when adding solar panels because this adds more weight. Your contractor will also need to inspect your roof for damage, and reroofing doesn’t typically include this investigation because some damage can only be found after removing the undercoat.
The national average for a replacement 1,200 sq ft roof is between $5,700-12,000. This varies based on where you live, the materials you’re using, and the amount of labor needed. Your roof replacement cost in NJ may be something different.
When Is the Best Time to Replace a Roof in NJ?
Autumn is the best time to replace or repair your roof in New Jersey. It’s after hurricane season, so you won’t need to worry about your new roof getting damaged from this factor. The temperature will also be comfortable for your contractors to work in. Since the weather conditions will be favorable, your contractors can finish the job more quickly, saving you on labor costs. Remember, the harder the job and the longer it takes, the more expensive it will be!
The only downside to repairing or replacing your roof in the fall is that this is a popular time to do so. As such, many contractors may be booked out for this season. Try to book your repair or replacement as far in advance as you can to ensure that your contractor will have time for you.
Adding solar panels often involves replacing or repairing your roof, depending on its condition. This varies in cost based on whether you’re getting a brand new roof or reroofing, your labor costs, your materials, where you live, how much damage there is, and more.
Once you’ve replaced or repaired your roof, you will need a contractor to install your solar panels. If you need to have solar panels installed in New Jersey, EMT Solar & Roofing would be happy to help. No installation job is too big or too small, and we can install, remove, and maintain solar panels on commercial, industrial, and residential structures.
Want to learn more about solar panel installation and the services we offer? Contact the leading roofing company in New Jersey. Let us assist you with your next project!