A full roof replacement means stripping the existing roofing down to the deck (or in some cases overlaying, though tear-off is the better long-term choice in a climate like Madison's), repairing or replacing any damaged sheathing, installing new underlayment and ice-and-water shield, then laying new shingles, metal, or tile along with flashing, vents, and drip edge. It's a bigger job than a repair or a reroof patch, usually taking one to three days for a typical single-family home, and it's the point at which you can also address ventilation, insulation, and ice-dam protection that a simple patch job would leave untouched.
What to look for in a roofing contractor
Madison winters are hard on roofs, so a contractor's experience with ice dams, proper attic ventilation, and ice-and-water barrier placement matters more here than in milder climates. Before signing anything, check for a current Wisconsin contractor registration, proof of general liability and workers' comp insurance, and manufacturer certification if you want a strong shingle warranty (many brands only honor their best warranties when installed by certified crews). Ask for a written scope of work that spells out tear-off, decking repair pricing, underlayment type, flashing details, and cleanup, not just a lump-sum number. A firm that shows up for the estimate, measures the roof itself, and explains its ventilation plan is usually a safer bet than one that quotes a price over the phone.
How our scoring works
We rank the 7 roof replacement companies serving Madison on factors like verified licensing and insurance, review consistency over time, responsiveness, and how well complaints (if any) were resolved, not just star averages. See the full ranked guide to Madison roofing contractors for the breakdown, and read our methodology for exactly how we score and weight each factor.
