A full roof replacement means stripping the old roofing material down to the deck, repairing or replacing any damaged sheathing, installing new underlayment and flashing, and laying new shingles, metal, tile, or membrane on top. It's a bigger job than a repair: expect a crew on site for one to three days for most homes, a dumpster in the driveway, and noise. New installation follows the same process on new construction or an addition. Either way, the work touches your home's biggest defense against water, wind, and ice, so the contractor's permitting, flashing detail, and cleanup habits matter as much as the shingle brand.
Before hiring, ask for proof of state licensing and insurance (workers' comp especially, since roofing has a high injury rate), a written estimate that breaks out tear-off, materials, and disposal, and the manufacturer certifications behind any workmanship warranty. Get more than one bid. Watch for contractors who pressure a same-day signature or want full payment up front, and confirm who pulls the local building permit, since that's usually the contractor's job, not yours.
We score New London's 13 roof replacement and installation businesses on factors like verified licensing, customer feedback, responsiveness, and how consistently a company follows through on warranty and cleanup work. The full breakdown of how we weigh those factors is on our methodology page. For the ranked list of contractors with scores side by side, see our best roofing contractors in New London guide.