I get this question probably once a week. Somebody in Little Egg Harbor or Toms River calls up and says, “So what actually happens when you replace a roof?” Fair question. Most people have never been through it. It’s loud, it’s expensive, and there’s a crew of guys crawling all over your house for a couple days. Kinda nice to know what they’re doing up there.
The Pre-Installation Inspection
Before anybody orders shingles or loads up a truck, the crew needs to get on your existing roof and poke around. They’re pressing on the plywood with their boots, feeling for soft spots. Checking flashing. Looking at the decking around vents and chimneys where water likes to sneak in.
They’re also measuring everything. I know that sounds obvious, but you’d be shocked how many crews eyeball it and end up short on materials halfway through. That’s a delay you don’t want. Good measurements mean the right amount of shingles show up on day one.
Tearing Off the Old Roof
Day one is loud. Really loud. The crew rips off every old shingle, every piece of underlayment, every corroded nail. All of it goes into a dumpster. Some companies skip this and just layer new shingles on top of old ones. Bad idea. You’re hiding whatever’s underneath, and you’re adding weight your rafters probably weren’t designed for.
I’ve seen places in Barnegat where somebody did exactly that—put a second layer on maybe ten years ago. When we pulled it up, the plywood was so rotten you could stick your thumb through it. Would’ve never known without the tear-off.
Decking Repairs and Underlayment
With everything stripped, the crew goes board by board checking the plywood. Anything soft or warped gets ripped out and replaced. This part isn’t glamorous but it’s maybe the most important step. Your decking is the foundation. Bad foundation, bad roof. Simple as that.
Then the underlayment goes on—a water-resistant sheet that sits between the plywood and the shingles. Here in Ocean County, most crews add an ice and water shield along the eaves and valleys too. Valleys are where two roof slopes meet, and water pools there during heavy rain. Extra protection in those spots is worth every penny.
Flashing, Drip Edge, and Ventilation
Flashing. This is the metal that wraps around chimneys, vents, skylights—basically any spot where something pokes through the roof. Terrible flashing is the number one cause of mystery leaks. I’ve tracked down ceiling stains that turned out to be a two-inch gap in chimney flashing on the opposite side of the house. Water’s sneaky like that.
Drip edge runs along the roof perimeter and directs water into the gutters instead of behind them. Then there’s ventilation. Ridge vents, soffit vents, some combo—depends on your house. Little Egg Harbor roofing specialists who’ve been working the Shore for a while know that salt air and humidity make this part extra critical. Without decent airflow your attic turns into a sauna in July and a moisture trap by February.
Laying the Shingles
Now the shingles go on. Bottom to top, each row overlapping the one below so water runs off and doesn’t get underneath. Four to six nails per shingle, placed in a specific pattern the manufacturer lays out.
Along the Shore, wind codes are serious. A lot of Ocean County towns require shingles rated for 130 mph gusts and beefed-up nailing patterns. It’s not a suggestion—it’s code. Skip it and you’re one nor’easter away from watching your shingles land in somebody else’s yard. Architectural shingles are the go-to around here. They handle the coastal abuse and look good doing it.
Final Inspection and Cleanup
When the last shingle’s nailed, a good crew walks the whole thing one more time. Every seam, every vent boot, every flashing edge. Then they run a big magnetic roller over your lawn and driveway for stray nails. Because nothing ruins a good roof day like a flat tire when you’re backing out of your own driveway. GRM Roofing gets compliments on cleanup more than almost anything else. Your yard should look like nobody was ever there—just with a brand new roof on top.
Permits and Code Compliance
Quick thing most people don’t know: you need a building permit for a roof replacement in most NJ municipalities. Your contractor pulls it, not you. It means the township inspects the work and makes sure it’s up to code. The National Roofing Contractors Association says permitting is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself as a homeowner. Hard to argue with that.
If a contractor tells you permits aren’t necessary or they’ll “deal with it later”—walk away. That’s not a corner worth cutting.
What to Expect on Installation Day
Most jobs take one to three days. Straightforward ranch? Maybe a day. Complicated roof with dormers, skylights, and bad decking? Could be three. Weather plays a role too. You can stay home through the whole thing. It’s noisy but the crew’s outside.
The main thing to look for is communication. Does the contractor explain the timeline upfront? Do they call if something changes? Do they actually pick up when you call them? That tells you more about who you’re dealing with than any ad or website ever will.
Your Roof, Done Right
A new roof is a big deal, no way around it. But now you know what’s supposed to happen up there, and you’ll know if something doesn’t look right. Start with a free inspection. Call (609) 389-2485.