C D Donahue General Contractors

Massachusetts requires a building permit for roof replacement, reviewed by Lexington's building department, and current code requires an ice-and-water shield membrane along eaves and in valleys — essential given the town's ice-dam exposure. The key Lexington wrinkle is historic review: homes within the Battle Green, East Village, and other regulated districts need Historic Districts Commission approval for any visible roof change, including a switch in material, color, or profile, so slate or cedar may need to be matched. A full tear-off down to the deck is standard on antique homes where multiple old layers and deteriorated sheathing are common; reputable roofers handle the permit and any required design review.

Lexington roofing costs run high because of larger homes, steep and complex roofs, and premium materials. A standard architectural asphalt shingle replacement typically runs $12,000–$25,000 depending on size and pitch, with simpler ranches lower and large colonials higher. Flat or low-slope EPDM sections on mid-century homes run roughly $8,000–$18,000. Standing-seam metal roofs land around $22,000–$45,000. Slate, common on antique and estate homes, runs well above that — often $40,000–$90,000 or more for a full replacement — because of material cost and the specialized labor needed to install and flash it correctly.

Massachusetts requires a written contract and a Home Improvement Contractor registration for most residential roofing work; ask for the registration number and check it before paying a deposit.

More on permits, costs, rebates and common questions, plus every other roofing contractor serving the town, on the Roofing in Lexington page.