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Roofers in Billerica, MA
Missing shingles after a storm, or a roof that's simply worn out? Call (978) 577-5300 or send the form for a free estimate on Billerica roof repair or replacement. We'll review your request and follow up with you.
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- Pinehurst to North Billerica
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Billerica roofs, village by village
What's on the roofs in Billerica
Billerica is a town of villages: a colonial center around the common, a woolen mill village on the Concord River, a canal and railroad village to the east, and early-1900s subdivisions near the Shawsheen. Route 3 opened through town in 1953, and large tract development followed along that corridor. The result is a wide spread of roof types, from 18th-century center-chimney houses to post-war neighborhoods.
Billerica Center
The civic core still has a range of period buildings around the original common, which dates to the 1600s. Older homes here are often two-story, center-chimney houses, and the area is one of the town's local historic districts.
North Billerica
A mill village that formed in the mid-1800s around the Talbot and Faulkner woolen mills on the Concord River. Workers' double cottages from the 1840s and '50s and mid-Victorian houses mean shared roofs and older framing.
East Billerica
Grew as a secondary center around the canal and, later, the railroad. Houses here range from 1800s village homes to later infill.
Pinehurst
One of the subdivisions opened around 1910 to 1920, during a period of very fast growth. Modest bungalows and small Colonial Revival houses are typical of that era.
Nutting Lake
A village around the lake of the same name. Lake neighborhoods often started with small, simply built houses that were enlarged over time, which can leave several roof planes and pitches on one house.
Roofing services in Billerica
What do you need help with?
Roof Replacement
Tear-off, deck repair, ice and water barrier and a new roof, done to code.
Roof Repair & Leaks
Flashing, vent boots, missing shingles and leak tracing, plus inspections.
Flat & Rubber Roofs
EPDM, TPO and modified bitumen on low-slope roofs, porches and additions.
Ice Dams
Safe removal, plus the insulation and ventilation fixes that stop them.
Storm Damage
Tarping and repairs after wind, falling limbs, hail and heavy snow.
Billerica houses
Roofing Billerica's colonials, mill cottages and bungalows
Center-chimney colonials. Billerica's colonial-era houses are mostly two stories with a big central chimney. The chimney is where these roofs leak. A re-roof should include new step and counter flashing, and a check of the chimney cap and mortar while the roof is open.
Mill double cottages. In North Billerica, two families often share one roof. Re-roofing half a double house works, but the seam at the ridge and along the party line has to be detailed carefully. Coordinating with the neighbor gives a better result.
Bungalows and small Colonial Revivals. Built in large numbers between about 1915 and 1940. Porch roofs, dormers and wide eaves are typical, and low porch roofs sometimes need a membrane instead of shingles. See flat and rubber roofs.
Post-war tract houses. The neighborhoods that grew along Route 3 are now old enough for their second or third roof. Check for multiple shingle layers, soft decking and poor attic ventilation, which leads to ice dams in a hard winter.
Weighing a repair against a full replacement? See roof repair and roof replacement.
Permits and historic review
Roofing permits in Billerica
Building permit. Billerica's Building Department lists roofing among the jobs that need a building permit. The required forms include the contractor's Construction Supervisor License and Home Improvement Contractor registration (or a homeowner affidavit), a workers' comp affidavit and a copy of the signed contract. All inspections need 24 hours' notice.
Homeowner permits. Homeowners can pull their own permit, but the town's exemption form says you then take responsibility for all the work and waive any claim against the state's Guaranty Fund.
Historic districts. Billerica has local historic districts under M.G.L. c. 40C, including the Town Center and Billerica Mills districts, overseen by the Historic District Commission. Roofing color is not exempt from review, and the Commission's certificate is required before a building permit. A same-material, same-color repair is generally exempt, but check with the Commission before you sign.
Licensing. We verify the credentials a job requires before we send a contractor any calls.
Roofing Service Pros is a referral service. We don't pull permits or do roofing work. The roofing contractor who does the job handles the permit.
FAQ
Billerica roofing questions
What does Billerica need for a roofing permit?
The Building Department's list of required forms puts roofing with siding, windows and insulation. It asks for a completed building permit application, a copy of the contractor's Construction Supervisor License and Home Improvement Contractor registration (or a homeowner affidavit), a workers' comp affidavit, and a copy of the signed contract. Your contractor normally assembles all of that.
I live in one of Billerica's historic districts. Can I change my roof color?
Not without checking first. Billerica's historic district bylaw exempts residential paint color but specifically not the color of roofing materials, and the town's application says a certificate from the Historic District Commission is required before a building permit. Like-for-like repairs that keep the same material, color and appearance are generally exempt. Talk to the Commission before you sign a contract.
If I pull the permit myself, what do I give up?
Billerica's homeowner license exemption form says you take responsibility for all the work and give up any claim against the state's Home Improvement Contractor Guaranty Fund. For most re-roofs, it's simpler and safer to let a registered contractor pull it.
Our house is an older bungalow. Anything special about roofing it?
Bungalows and small Colonial Revival homes from the early 1900s often have deep overhangs, dormers and porch roofs tied into the main roof. Those joints are the usual leak points, so make sure the estimate covers new flashing there, not just new shingles.
Is Roofing Service Pros free?
Yes. There's no charge to homeowners for the call or the referral. Pricing and the contract are agreed between you and the roofing contractor.
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