Howell Township Roofing FAQ
Straight answers to the roofing questions Howell homeowners ask us most, from cost and permits to storm damage and warranties.
10,356+ home improvement projects completed over 19 years, including 7,500+ roofs and 1,500+ homes sided
- Family-owned
- Licensed & insured
- 24/7 emergency service
Cost, Permits & Insurance
What drives the price of a new roof, Howell permit rules and storm damage claims.
Every roof is different, so we give you a written price after we’ve seen yours. The main things that affect the cost are:
- Roof size
- Roof pitch (steepness)
- Old layers to tear off
- Decking condition
- The shingle line you choose
- Ventilation
- Flashing
- Chimneys & skylights
- Warranty level
We’ll even walk you through every line of our estimate, or a competitor’s, so you know you’re comparing apples to apples.
Same-day roofing appointments available
For most Howell homes, no. Under New Jersey’s Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7), repairing or replacing the existing roof covering on a detached one- or two-family home is “ordinary maintenance,” so no permit, inspection or notice to the town is required.
There are exceptions. The rule covers detached one- and two-family homes only, so attached homes such as townhouses and condos aren’t included, and structural work isn’t ordinary maintenance. Those jobs can need a permit from Howell Township’s construction office. Either way, the new roof still has to meet code.
It depends on your policy and on what caused the damage, and your insurance company makes that decision. Homeowners policies are generally written to cover sudden damage from a covered event, like wind tearing off shingles or a tree falling on the roof, rather than normal wear and age.
Keystone can help with insurance claims in most situations, for example by documenting the damage, providing an estimate for your insurer and meeting the adjuster at your home. The coverage decision is always up to your insurance company. After a storm, take photos, keep receipts for emergency repairs and call your insurer promptly. If water is coming in, call our 24/7 emergency line at (732) 637-8300.
Repair or Replace?
How long a replacement takes, when a repair is enough, and tear-off vs. roof-over.
Most of our roof replacements are completed in 1 day. The exact timing depends on the home: the size and steepness of the roof, the roofing system you choose, the weather, and whether damaged decking turns up once the old roof is off. Shingles need dry weather to go on, so rain can shift the schedule. We’ll talk through the expected timeline for your home during your free estimate.
If the roof is still fairly young and the problem is in one area, like a few missing shingles or a leak around a chimney or vent, a repair is often enough. Replacement is worth considering when the roof is near the end of its life, leaks keep coming back, shingles are curling, cracking or losing granules across several slopes, or the decking feels soft. Keystone does roof repairs as well as full replacements, so we’ll show you photos of what we find and explain which one makes sense.
Not with Keystone. We always do a full tear-off and never install a new roof over old shingles. A roof-over hides the decking underneath, so soft or rotted wood can’t be found and fixed, and it adds weight to the house. It can also limit or affect manufacturer warranty coverage, and GAF notes that a complete tear-off is required for certain types of its enhanced warranty coverage. A tear-off lets us inspect and repair the decking and install a complete new roofing system from the deck up.
Choosing a Roofer
How to compare roofers and estimates, and the GAF warranties Keystone can offer.
Ask every contractor for proof of license and insurance, and get the full scope, materials, warranty and payment schedule in a written contract. Give each company the same information so the bids are comparable, then check that each estimate covers tear-off and disposal, decking, flashing, ventilation, cleanup and the workmanship warranty. Be wary of “sign today” pressure, damage nobody can show you in photos, requests for full payment upfront, or a price far below everyone else’s. Keystone is family-owned, licensed and insured, and a GAF Master Elite® contractor.
Keystone is a GAF Master Elite® contractor and a GAF President’s Club award recipient, so we can offer GAF’s enhanced limited warranties on qualifying GAF roofing systems, including:
- Silver Pledge™ Limited Warranty: includes 10 years of workmanship (misapplication) coverage on GAF products and covered flashings (15 years with some shingle lines).
- Golden Pledge® Limited Warranty: includes workmanship coverage that is non-prorated for 25 or 30 years, depending on the shingle. Available only through GAF Master Elite® contractors.
On single-family homes, both include 50 years of non-prorated coverage for manufacturing defects, including labor, plus tear-off and disposal when necessary. Qualifying products and registration are required. See the GAF warranty for complete coverage and restrictions.
Working with Keystone
Emergency service, free estimates, financing, local offices and real credentials.
Yes. Keystone offers 24/7 emergency service. If a storm or a fallen limb leaves your Howell home with a leak or missing shingles, call (732) 637-8300 any time, day or night. If tarping is needed to protect your home, we’ll recommend it. For a planned roof replacement, estimates are free and same-day roofing appointments are available. Call us or request an estimate online and we’ll set up a visit.
Yes. Keystone offers financing through multiple lending partners, and we match homeowners with the lender that best fits their project. It can make it easier to choose the right roof for your home without paying the full cost at once. Ask about financing during your free estimate, and we’ll explain the options available for your roof replacement or repair along with your written estimate.
Yes. Keystone was founded in Freehold, right next to Howell, and serves Howell homeowners from two local offices: Freehold (1719 Ginesi Dr, Freehold, NJ 07728) and Brick (406 Mantoloking Rd, Brick, NJ 08723). We’re family-owned and work across Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex Counties, Central New Jersey and the Jersey Shore, so help is always close by. Call (732) 637-8300 to reach our local team.
Keystone is family-owned, licensed and insured, and offers 24/7 emergency service. We’re a GAF Master Elite® contractor and a GAF President’s Club award recipient, as well as a James Hardie ALLIANCE Elite contractor, CertainTeed SidingMaster PREMIER credentialed and a ProVia Certified Installer. Our track record: 10,356+ home improvement projects completed over 19 years, including 7,500+ roofing projects. For your roof, that means a written estimate, a clear scope of work and a team that answers the phone.
Looking for siding or windows? See our NJ Siding FAQ and Howell Window Replacement FAQ.
Get a Free Estimate
Talk to a Keystone team member about your roof. Same-day roofing appointments available. We serve Howell from our Freehold and Brick offices.