Clifton, New Jersey
Two-Family House Roofs in Clifton, NJ
Tenant reporting a leak upstairs, or a two-family roof that is simply due? Call and you are connected with an independent roofing contractor that repairs and replaces roofs on two-family homes in Clifton.
- Independent local roofing contractors
- Repairs, replacements and new roofs
- You decide whether to hire
Two-family homes
A Clifton house type with its own roof questions
Two-family houses are common all over Clifton. If yours is a two-and-a-half-story house with a steep front gable, stacked porches or a low-slope roof over the rear, those shapes affect the job.
Steep, tall roofs take more safety setup and more time to load. Porch roofs may need a membrane rather than shingles. And with tenants living in one unit, access, noise and parking for the dumpster all need planning.
Planning a replacement with tenants at home
- Tell tenants the dates early, and again when the crew is scheduled.
- Agree with the contractor where the dumpster and materials go, and which cars must move.
- Ask for attic access to both units if the contractor needs to check ventilation or decking from inside.
- Have fragile items taken off walls on the upper floor, since tear-off shakes the house.
- Get the porch and rear roofs priced as separate lines so you can see what each costs.
Permits on a two-family house
New Jersey's ordinary-maintenance rule covers the repair or replacement of existing roof covering on detached one- and two-family dwellings (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7(c)), so a straight replacement on a detached two-family house is treated the same as on a single-family one. Structural work, such as replacing rafters, is not ordinary maintenance.
Whoever does the work must be registered as a home improvement contractor. The Division of Consumer Affairs notes that unregistered contractors will not be issued municipal construction permits, which matters if structural repairs turn up during the job.
Questions
Two-Family House Roofs: common questions
Do both units need to be empty during the work?
No. Tenants can usually stay, but the noise of tear-off is hard to ignore, and someone should be able to reach the attic if the contractor needs it.
A tenant reports a leak. What should I ask the contractor?
Whether the water is coming through the main roof, a porch roof or the chimney, and whether the repair can be reached from outside without entering the tenant's unit. If attic or ceiling access is needed, agree a time with the tenant before the visit.
Who pays for the roof in a two-family house?
The owner of the building. If the house is a condominium with two units, the master deed or association documents decide who is responsible for the roof. Check them before calling.
Can the porch roof be done later?
It can, but the joint between the porch roof and the wall or main roof is easier to flash well when both are done together.
Roof services
Other roof services
- Roof ReplacementOld layers off, deck checked, new underlayment, flashing and roof covering on.
- Roof RepairLeaks at chimneys, vents and valleys, worn flat rear roofs, and shingles lifted by wind.
- New Roofs for AdditionsAdditions, dormers and rebuilds: a new roof framed, permitted and tied into the old one.
- Asphalt Shingle RoofsArchitectural shingles, ice barrier at the eaves, and the ridge and soffit venting to go with them.
- Flat & Low-Slope RoofsMembrane roofs for porches, rear sections and garages that shingles can't cover.
- Metal RoofsStanding seam and metal shingles: longer-lived panels, with details that need care.
Roof leaking or worn out?
Talk to a Clifton-area roofing contractor
Call and you are put through to an independent roofing contractor that works in Clifton, Nutley, Little Falls, Woodland Park and Wayne. Tell them what you have noticed and ask them to inspect the roof and price the work, whether that turns out to be a repair or a new roof.
A leak to track down or a roof to replace? Talk to a local roofing contractor.
You are connected with an independent roofing contractor that works in Clifton and nearby towns.
Call (973) 913-7876Calls may be recorded. Read the referral disclosure and the privacy policy.