RTP Roofing · Portsmouth, RI
Roofer in Portsmouth, RI
Portsmouth is islands and shoreline, and the town requires a building permit for a roof. Ask us who files it for your project.
Free EstimateRTP-····-···· · Warwick Office
Free Estimate
RTP-····-····Warwick Office
Step 1 of 5 · About 1 Minute
What Does Your Home Need?
Pick the closest one. You don't need the right words for it.
Something's Leaking or DamagedA stain on the ceiling, water in the attic, missing shingles.
Old Roof, Weighing ReplacementCurling, bald spots, or it's just been a long time.
Storm DamageWind, a fallen limb, hail. Claim or no claim.
Not Sure, Need an InspectionAn inspection or a second opinion.
Gutters, Siding or ExteriorGutters, siding, trim, windows, skylights.
Commercial BuildingFlat or low-slope roofs, maintenance, replacement.Where Are You Seeing It?
Pick the closest. We'll look at the rest on site.
How Old Is the Roof?
A rough guess is fine.
Have You Started an Insurance Claim?
Either way, we can take a look.
What's Behind the Inspection?
Pick the closest.
Which Part of the Exterior?
Pick the main one. Mention the rest at the end.
What Does the Building Need?
Flat and low-slope roofs included.
What Kind of Property Is It?
When Do You Want It Done?
Where Should We Reach You?
Request Sent
Reference RTP-····-····
We'll reach out from (401) 593-1512 during business hours. Need us sooner? Call that number any time.
Nothing is sent until you say so.
ContinueRather Talk?(401) 593-1512
- 5.0Google rating · 229 reviews
GAF Master Elite® GAF Master Elite® Certified contractor, Cert. #1111816.- BBB A+ Accredited by the Better Business Bureau since September 29, 2022.
- GC-47694 Licensed and registered general contractor in Rhode Island, valid through September 19, 2027.
- GAF Extended Warranty Extended manufacturer warranty available on qualifying installations. Coverage terms vary by product and installation.
Local Conditions
What Roofs Here Are Really Like
Roofing in Portsmouth comes with water all around. Most of the town sits on Aquidneck Island, which it shares with Middletown and Newport. The town also includes smaller islands in Narragansett Bay, including Prudence, Patience, Hope and Hog. The 2020 census counted 17,871 residents.
On any of those roofs, we check flashing, fasteners and exposed edges on the roof itself, not from the driveway.
The housing numbers tell you what is at stake. The 2020-2024 estimate puts the median value of an owner-occupied home in Portsmouth at $597,000. That figure is a home value, not a roof age. It tells you nothing about the shingles over your head, and neither does the year your house was built. Only an on-roof inspection does.
Villages
Villages and Neighborhoods We Work In
The state's town page lists 15 villages in Portsmouth, including Melville, Bristol Ferry and Prudence, and we work in all of them. A few of them:
- Island Park: created as a summer resort.
- Common Fence Point: an original settlement area, centered on Common Fence and Town Pond.
- South Portsmouth and the Glen: home to large "Gentlemen's Farms," including the Taylor family's Glen Farm.
- Quaker Hill and Middle Road: a central spot with Town Hall and the Quaker Meeting House.
- Melville: grew in importance when the military claimed most of the west side of town.
- Bristol Ferry: a ferry landing.
Not sure we cover your address? Call (401) 593-1512.
Permits
How To Get a Roof Permit in Portsmouth: 4 Steps
The Town of Portsmouth's permit FAQ says roofing is exterior work that requires a building permit. The town says the work that needs no permit is limited to paint, wallcoverings, flooring and cabinetry. A reroof is not on that list. Here is what the town's pages say, in 4 steps.
- Confirm You Need One.
The town lists roofing as exterior work that requires a building permit. Our suggestion, not the town's: if you are only fixing a small leak, ask us or the town office whether your repair counts.
- File Online.
Permits are submitted electronically through the town's OpenGov permit portal.
- Use a Registered Contractor.
The town says general contractors or their companies do not need to be licensed but must be registered. RTP Roofing is RI-registered under GC-47694.
- Call the Office With Questions.
The Building Inspection office is at Town Hall, 2nd Floor, 2200 E. Main Road, and its phone is 401-683-3611. Hours are Monday through Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Do not skip the permit to save a few days. The town's Building Inspection page lists late filing fees, and they start at $500 per permit not issued for work. Call Building Inspection at 401-683-3611 for the current fee and the full schedule.
Is There Historic Review On Top Of The Permit?
Some Rhode Island towns have local historic district review.
Portsmouth's permit pages do not mention a local historic review rule for roofing. That does not mean no review applies to your property.
If your home is old, on a protected list, or you have heard a neighbor was asked for extra paperwork, we ask the Building Inspection office about your specific address before we file. You hear the answer before you sign anything.
The Record
Bay Storms and What They Mean for a Portsmouth Roof
Narragansett Bay has seen storm surge before.
A Rhode Island DEM coastal flooding summary says the 1938 Hurricane's surge caused damage in Portsmouth, East Greenwich, Barrington and Warwick, and that Hurricane Bob in August 1991 produced a 6.5 foot surge in the bay. The Bob figure is a fact about the bay, not a record of what happened on any Portsmouth street.
After a big wind event, photograph anything you can see from the ground, then call us at (401) 593-1512 for an on-roof look. Insurance questions have their own page: see our storm and insurance claims guide.
Services
Roofing Services in Portsmouth
Because Portsmouth requires a building permit for roofing, we start with an inspection on the roof and then tell you whether the job is a roof repair or a roof replacement, so you know up front what to bring to the permit conversation. If you are choosing a material, compare shingle roofing and metal roofing once we have seen the roof you have now. We also install gutters and skylights on the same visit when a roof needs more than shingles.
Portsmouth shares Aquidneck Island with two neighbors. If your property is near the line, see our pages for Middletown and Newport.
GAF Master Elite, RI-Registered, a Rooftop Power Company
RTP Roofing is a GAF Master Elite® certified contractor, RI-registered under GC-47694, and rated 5.0 on Google across 229 reviews. We are a Rooftop Power company. On qualifying installations we can offer GAF's Golden Pledge® Limited Warranty: up to 50 years of non-prorated coverage. Eligibility, coverage, and terms vary by product and installation; full details are at gaf.com.
Next Step
How an RTP Inspection and Estimate Works
We get on the roof and check the decking, flashing, ridge, valleys and penetrations. You get a written estimate that names the material and the scope, not a number scribbled on a business card. If the town's permit process applies to your job, ask us who files it. Request an estimate and we will look at the roof you actually have.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to reroof my house in Portsmouth?
Yes. The Town of Portsmouth says roofing is exterior work that requires a building permit. Work that needs no permit is limited to paint, wallcoverings, flooring and cabinetry. Permits are submitted electronically through the town's OpenGov portal.
Where is the Portsmouth Building Inspection office?
It is at Town Hall, 2nd Floor, 2200 E. Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871. The phone number is 401-683-3611. The town lists hours of Monday through Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Does my roofing contractor need a state license in Portsmouth?
The town says general contractors or their companies do not need to be licensed but must be registered. RTP Roofing is RI-registered under GC-47694.
What happens if a roof is done without a permit?
The town's Building Inspection page lists late filing fees, and they start at $500 per permit not issued for work. Call the office at 401-683-3611 for the current fee and the full schedule.
Is there historic review for roofs in Portsmouth?
The town's permit pages do not mention a local historic review rule for roofing in Portsmouth. That does not mean no review applies to your property, so we check your specific address with the Building Inspection office before we file.
How do I find out whether RTP Roofing covers my Portsmouth address?
Call (401) 593-1512 and we will tell you.
My house was built a long time ago. Does that mean my roof is due?
No. The year a house was built does not tell you the condition of its roof, since roofs get replaced and repaired over the years. Only an on-roof inspection tells you what you have, and we offer a free one.
How soon after a storm should I have my roof checked?
As soon as it is safe. Photograph anything visible from the ground, then call (401) 593-1512. Lifted shingles and loose flashing can look minor from below and still let water in at the next heavy rain.
Nearby
Nearby Towns We Also Serve
Get a Straight Answer on Your Portsmouth Roof
Request a free, on-roof inspection or call (401) 593-1512. Ask us who files the permit for your project, and check your address with the Building Inspection office before work starts.