A full roof replacement means stripping the old roofing down to the deck (or in some cases overlaying it, where code allows), fixing any damaged sheathing, installing new underlayment and flashing, then laying new shingles, metal, slate, or tile. For a typical Hartford single-family or triple-decker, that's a multi-day job that depends heavily on roof pitch, layer count, and how much rot the crew finds once the old material comes off. It's a bigger commitment than a patch or repair, both in cost and in how much the finished product depends on the installer's workmanship.
We track 14 roof replacement and installation contractors serving the Hartford area. Because this is a job you'll live with for 20-plus years, the contractor matters more than the shingle brand. Before signing anything, look for: proof of state licensing and insurance (workers' comp especially, since roofing is high-risk work), a written estimate that spells out tear-off, decking repair costs, ventilation, and flashing detail (not just "square footage"), manufacturer certification if you want a strong shingle warranty, and local references or job photos from Hartford-area homes that have been through a New England winter or two.
Our scoring weighs the things that separate a clean install from a callback-prone one: licensing and insurance status, how consistently a contractor is reviewed over time (not just a handful of recent ratings), responsiveness, and verified local project history. See the full breakdown of how we score contractors at our methodology page, or skip straight to the ranked list of the best roofing contractors in Hartford to compare all 14 side by side.