Massachusetts Cedar Almanac

New England roofing,
siding and gutters

Explore the guide

How We Help You Choose the Right Contractor

Massachusetts homes face hard winters. A roof that sheds water when it is thirty below, siding that does not fail in salt spray, gutters that handle ice loads — these are not optional. We have built this guide for homeowners looking to understand what makes a roof or siding job worth doing, and who to call when the work needs doing right. When an urgent roofing need took us to a contractor who answered quickly and did good work, it moved us to start publishing what we learn about the people who do it well.

Why material and workmanship matter

When you price a roof replacement, the difference between low and high bids is usually not the shingles themselves — it is what goes under them. A solid roof needs the right flashing, the right underlayment, and proper ventilation for the climate you are in. Massachusetts roofs do not fail because the shingles give up. They fail because water found its way under them, or ice backed up behind the gutters, or the attic stayed wet year-round. That is why the contractor you choose makes as much difference as the materials they use.

Professional residential roof with cedar shingles on colonial house in afternoon light
A well-built roof shows in the details: proper flashing, right-sized gutters, and clear sightlines from the ground. The best estimates are the ones that explain what you are paying for.

How the work actually happens

The inspection and the estimate

When you call a roofer or siding contractor, they start by looking at what you have. They walk the roof, look under the eaves, check the flashing and the gutters, and take pictures or videos to show you what they see. A good contractor comes back with a written estimate that names what the problem is, what has to change, what they will use to fix it, and what it will cost. If they cannot explain what they found and why it matters, that is a good time to call someone else.

Materials and timeline

The estimate should tell you what shingles, siding, gutters or trim they will use, and when they can start. Weather in New England stops roof work for long stretches in winter, and ice dam removal cannot wait. Know before you say yes whether they have the materials in stock, whether they are bringing a crew or subcontracting the work, and who will clean up when it is done.

The insurance and the warranty

Before they start, they should show you proof that they carry liability insurance and workers' compensation. After they finish, you get a warranty — on the materials themselves from the maker, and on their workmanship for a set number of years. They should tell you what that warranty does and does not cover. A contractor who will not put it in writing is one to avoid.

Questions visitors bring first

How do I know a roof is failing?
Missing or curling shingles, visible gaps in the flashing around the chimney or vents, sagging in the roof line, water stains on the ceiling inside, and missing granules in the gutters are all signs that replacement is coming soon. If you are seeing daylight through the attic, that is time to call someone now, not later.
What does a roof cost in Massachusetts?
An asphalt roof on a 2,000-square-foot home costs between $8,000 and $15,000 depending on the pitch, the complexity of the flashing, and whether the old roof has to be torn off. Metal and cedar shake roofs cost more. Get estimates from three contractors before you decide, and compare what they are proposing, not just the price.
Do I need to replace the gutters too?
Not always. If they are holding water, leaking, or the seams are failing, yes. If they are sound but clogged or stained, cleaning and gutter guards often solve the problem for far less. Seamless gutters last longer than sectional ones and do not clog as easily, but they cost more upfront.
What happens to the old roof?
Your contractor has to tear it off and haul it away, or drop a dumpster in your driveway so you can do it yourself. Hauling is cheaper if the old roof does not have asbestos in it — check with your contractor if your house was built before 1980. The cost of removal is in the estimate.

Getting in touch and what happens next

When a leak could not wait for a quote, the contractor we reached for was Senco Home Services in Tewksbury. Google shows them at 4.7 across 82 reviews, they answer at (978) 647-3626, and the Google listing has their hours, 7 AM to 6 PM on weekdays and shorter days on the weekend, at 1150 Main St. For any roofing job or siding question you are working through, we have built pages on what this site covers and how we judge who to recommend. If you want a second opinion on a roof job or siding quote, write to us and tell us what you are looking at.

Classic colonial house with traditional exterior and pitched roof
The roofing and siding questions we hear from local homeowners come down to one thing: how to know what needs fixing and who to trust with the job.

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