FAQ
Roofing Questions, Answered Straight
These are the questions we get asked on nearly every estimate across Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Hudson, and Morris counties — about cost, lifespan, repair versus replacement, permits, insurance claims, materials, and what it’s like to work with us. Honest answers, no sales spin. Still stuck? Call (973) 337-9001.
Roofing Cost & Pricing
Straight answers on what drives a roof price in New Jersey and how to compare quotes — no published one-size-fits-all numbers, because they're wrong as often as they're right.
Your roof has a specific number, and a handful of factors set it: the size and number of squares, the pitch and how cut-up the roofline is (more valleys, dormers, and skylights mean more labor), the shingle tier you choose — entry, standard architectural, or premium designer — access for the dumpster and material drop, and whether the decking underneath needs replacing. We don't publish one-size-fits-all prices because they're wrong as often as they're right. We measure, itemize every line in writing, and the estimate is free.
A small single-point fix — a cracked pipe boot, a failed flashing, a handful of wind-blown shingles — sits at the low end. What raises it is access (steep or hard-to-reach), how many separate spots need work, and whether emergency tarping is involved. The bigger question is whether a repair is even worth it: we tell you up front when you'd just be throwing money at a roof that's already at end of life, and put the recommendation in writing.
Because not every quote includes the same work. A cheap quote often skips ice-and-water shield, uses staples instead of capped nails, overlays instead of tearing off, or hides decking replacement as a surprise change order. Compare quotes line by line — tear-off vs. overlay, underlayment type, flashing, ventilation, warranty, and cleanup — not just the bottom number.
A roof replacement on your primary residence generally isn't tax-deductible, but it does add resale value and protects every dollar of the home under it. A new roof also typically lowers your homeowners insurance premium — homeowners with a new roof pay meaningfully less than those with a 20-year-old roof.
We can point you to roofing-specific financing options so a replacement doesn't have to be a single out-of-pocket hit. Ask us during your estimate and we'll walk through what's available alongside the written quote.
Repair vs. Replace & Roof Lifespan
How to know whether your roof has life left — or whether it's time for a new one.
An architectural asphalt shingle roof lasts about 22–30 years in NJ when it's installed correctly and the attic is properly ventilated; older 3-tab shingles give 15–20. Standing-seam metal lasts 40–70 years, and slate can last a century. Our freeze-thaw winters and humid summers are hard on roofs, so ventilation and flashing quality matter as much as the shingle itself.
Two rules of thumb: if the damaged area is under about 25% of the roof, repair usually wins; once the repairs you're facing (current plus the ones coming) would eat up a large share of what a new roof costs, replacement is the smarter money. Also weigh age and repair history — three or more repairs at different spots in 18 months on a 20+ year roof means it's telling you it's done.
Cup or curling shingles, bald spots where the granules have worn off (and lots of granules in the gutters), missing shingles across more than one slope, daylight or water stains in the attic, sagging, and repeated leaks. If your roof is 20+ years old and showing several of these, get an honest inspection before the next big storm.
We don't, and you shouldn't. Overlaying hides decking damage, voids most manufacturer warranties, adds weight to your trusses, and only buys a few years. NJ code also limits roofs to two layers — and most homes we look at are already there. A full tear-off is the only honest way to know what's under the shingles.
Storm Damage & Insurance
How New Jersey homeowners insurance and roof claims actually work.
Insurance covers sudden, accidental damage — wind, hail, a fallen tree — if it's documented and reported within your policy's window. It does not cover wear-and-tear, age, or neglect. If a storm damaged your roof, we'll inspect it free, document the scope with photos, and meet your adjuster on-site so the damage isn't under-counted.
It's getting harder. Many NJ carriers now apply 10–15 year roof-age limits, may pay only actual cash value (depreciated) instead of replacement cost on older roofs, and some won't write new policies on roofs over 20 years. Replacing an aging roof often lowers your premium and protects your coverage.
We support it the right way: free inspection, a photo-documented scope, and we meet your adjuster on-site. You file and stay in control of your own claim. We will not ask you to sign an Assignment of Benefits, and we never waive your deductible — that's illegal in NJ and puts you at risk.
Stop the water first — if it's actively leaking, call us for a same-day tarp. Then photograph everything (roof, attic, ceiling stains, yard debris) before any repairs, save the storm date from a credible source, and open the claim with your carrier's claim line. Don't make permanent repairs until the adjuster has seen it.
Permits, Process & Timeline
What actually happens during a roof job — and the NJ permit rules that changed in 2018.
Usually not. Since March 2018, NJ's DCA reclassified a basic shingle re-roof on most one- and two-family homes as minor work that doesn't require a construction permit. A permit IS required if the job replaces roof sheathing/decking or touches rafters, trusses, or anything structural — and a few towns still apply the rules their own way. We handle whichever applies to your job.
About 70% of the homes we replace are a one-day job — tear off and dry-in in the morning, shingle and clean up by evening. Larger roofs (25+ squares), complex cut-ups, or significant decking replacement run two to four days. We tell you which up front and schedule around the weather.
No. The crew works entirely outside. The only thing that helps is moving cars out of the driveway so we have room for the dumpster and material drop. Most homeowners stay home and work through it.
Late spring through fall is ideal — moderate temperatures help shingles seal properly. That said, we replace roofs year-round; experienced crews hand-seal in cold weather, and a leaking roof shouldn't wait for perfect conditions. Booking in the off-season (late fall, winter) can also mean faster scheduling.
Materials & Warranties
Shingles, metal, flat membranes, and what the warranties really mean.
All three are excellent, and we're a credentialed installer for each. GAF Timberline HDZ is the most-installed shingle in the country with easy color matching for future repairs; Owens Corning Duration's SureNail strip gives a strong wind rating; CertainTeed Landmark and the Presidential designer line are great for distinctive homes. The installer matters more than the brand — a credentialed install unlocks the enhanced warranty either way.
Three layers: the manufacturer's materials warranty (25–50 years depending on the shingle line), the enhanced manufacturer system warranty we register on your behalf when we install a full system, and our own 10-year workmanship warranty, transferable once if you sell. All in writing.
Asphalt architectural shingles are the best value for most pitched NJ homes. Standing-seam metal costs more but lasts 40–70 years and suits modern or estate homes. Flat or low-slope sections (porches, additions, and most Hudson County row houses and brownstones) need a membrane system — TPO, EPDM, or modified bitumen — not shingles.
Not on a finished home. The myth comes from uninsulated barns. A modern residential metal roof installed over proper underlayment and attic insulation is no louder than asphalt.
Working With Zubar Roofing
Who we are, where we work, and how to reach us.
We're based in Clifton, NJ and serve Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Hudson, and Morris counties — from Clifton, Passaic, and Paterson to Jersey City, Hackensack, Montclair, and Morristown. Most of our work is within about a 10-mile radius of the shop, with same-day leak response in our core area.
Yes — NJ Home Improvement Contractor #13VH14090300, registered with Dun & Bradstreet (D-U-N-S 14-393-9675), and carrying general liability and workers' compensation. We can have our carrier email you a certificate of insurance directly before any work starts. Always verify a contractor's NJ license at the Division of Consumer Affairs before you sign anything.
Active leak during a storm: same-day tarp in most of our service area. Non-active leak inspections: typically 3–5 business days. We're reachable 24/7 — call or text (973) 337-9001 and we'll triage it on the phone.
Yes — every estimate is free and comes in writing, itemized, with no high-pressure pitch. We climb the roof, check the attic, and hand you photos of everything we find, even if you decide not to hire us.
Local, full stop. We live and work in the towns we serve, we don't knock doors after storms, and we'll still be here for the warranty in ten years. Most of our work comes from repeat customers and neighbor referrals.
Still have questions?
Talk to a Real Roofer
A documented inspection, a Roof Health Score, and a written report with photos — including the recommendation not to replace, when that's the honest answer.