A roofer repairs, replaces and installs the roofs on buildings. The job is to keep water out, and that covers everything from swapping a cracked pipe boot to tearing off a whole roof and putting a new one on.
The short version
- A roofer fixes leaks and storm damage, puts on new roofs and looks over roofs that might be failing.
- The skill is in the small parts, like flashing and nailing, because that is where roofs leak.
- A repair usually takes one to four hours on site. A new roof takes one day for most mid-size houses.
- Roofers do not fix ceilings, paint or insulation inside the house.
- Before you hire one, check the license, get a written contract and keep the deposit to a third of the price.
What does a roofer do day to day?
A roofer spends most days on a roof doing one of three jobs: repairing a problem, replacing a roof or checking a roof’s condition. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says roofers replace, repair, and install the roofs (opens in a new tab) of buildings, using shingles, asphalt, metal or other materials to make the roof weatherproof.
That sounds simple. In practice the day is a lot of climbing, hauling bundles up a ladder, reading a roof for clues and working in whatever weather the calendar allows. The same page notes that roofing is physically demanding, with climbing, bending, kneeling and heavy lifting, and that roofers often work on steep slopes at great heights.
What kinds of roof jobs do roofers handle?
Roofers handle repairs, full replacements and inspections, and most also do gutters, skylights and attic vents. Here is how the main jobs compare, with typical Ellicott City ranges for the work.
| Job | What it covers | What it typically runs |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection | Walking the roof, checking flashing, valleys and attic, then a written report | Free with us |
| Small repair | Replacing a pipe boot, a few shingles or resealing a spot | $350 to $750 |
| Chimney reflash | New flashing around a chimney | $800 to $2,200 |
| Full replacement | Tear-off, new underlayment, flashing and shingles on a 2,000 square foot roof | $13,500 to $17,500 |
Those are area ranges, not quotes. Steep pitch, poor access and rotten wood under the shingles all push the number up. If you want the full list of what we do, see our roof repair page.
What does a roofer do when they fix a leak?
A roofer fixing a leak first finds where the water gets in, then repairs that spot and cleans up the work area. The first part is the hard one. Water runs along rafters and drips far from the hole, so the stain on your ceiling is rarely under the problem.
Most leaks come from the small parts. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association calls flashings, the metal strips sealed around chimneys, walls and vents, the most vulnerable points (opens in a new tab) on a steep roof. We see the same thing: flashing is where roofs leak, and caulk used as a fix is a scheduled leak, because it only lasts 5 to 10 years.
Keep one thing in mind: a repair covers one spot. A new leak two feet away is a new call, and we cannot promise a repair will stop every leak, since leak hunting is part detective work. Our guide to what flashing is explains the part that fails most.
What does a roofer do on a new roof?
On a new roof, a roofer removes the old layers, checks the wood underneath, lays a waterproof layer, fits flashing and drip edge, and nails down new shingles. Ours also includes the dumpster, haul-away and a magnetic sweep of the yard for nails.
Timing depends on size. Install day is one day for most roofs of 25 to 40 squares, which is about 2,500 to 4,000 square feet, and two to three days for 40 to 60 squares. From signing to the final inspection, the whole project usually takes 2 to 6 weeks, mostly because of permits, scheduling and weather.
The part that decides how long the roof lasts is not the shingle brand. It is where the nails went and whether the flashing is new. The same shingle can last 25 years or 9, depending on that.
What does a roofer not do?
A roofer does not repair anything inside your house, and does not guarantee things outside the roof. Ceiling drywall, paint and wet insulation are never part of a roofing job. Gutters, fascia and trim carpentry are usually separate lines too, and so is masonry on a chimney that is crumbling.
Some jobs go to other trades. Taking solar panels off and putting them back is handled by a different company. A structural problem, like a sagging ridge, needs an engineer’s letter. A roofer can point at it, but cannot sign off on it.
How do roofers learn the trade?
Most roofers learn on the job. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says there are no formal education requirements (opens in a new tab) for roofers, and that most learn the trade working with experienced coworkers. Some join apprenticeships, and most employers want a safety certification that meets OSHA guidelines.
That is why the crew matters. Two crews can put the same shingle on the same house and get different roofs. Ask who is doing the work, not only who is selling it.
What should you check before you hire a roofer?
Check three things before you hire: the license, the written contract and the deposit. In Maryland, the state tells homeowners to check the license status (opens in a new tab) of a contractor before hiring, and warns that doing home improvements without a license is a criminal offense. A homeowner who uses an unlicensed contractor also has no protection from the state’s Guaranty Fund.
The contract matters just as much. A Maryland home improvement contract must be in writing (opens in a new tab) and must name the contractor, give their address and show their state registration. The same page says a contractor cannot accept more than a third of the price as a deposit.
Then ask what the price includes. Cheap bids often reuse old flashing, leave out the wood under the shingles or skip the cleanup. Our guide to what belongs in a roof estimate gives you a checklist to hold up against any bid.
Common questions
Do roofers also do gutters and skylights?
Many do. We handle gutter cleaning, repair and installation, and skylight repair and installation, because those parts meet the roof and leak in the same places. Ask any roofer which of these they do themselves and which they pass to someone else.
Can a roofer tell me if I need a new roof?
Yes, and a good one will say so only when it is true. If a roof has life left, we would rather repair it. Our inspection gives you a written report, with photos, so you can see the reasons yourself.
Is a free inspection from a roofer unbiased?
Not entirely, and we will say so. A free inspection is also a sales visit. For a claim dispute or a house sale, a paid independent inspector is the better pick, which our piece on independent roof inspections explains.
What to do next
If you are not sure whether you need a repair or a new roof, start with the free roof inspection from Roofing NextGen Ellicott City. You get the report in writing, and no one expects you to book anything.
