Roof Replacement in Swansea, MA

Swansea has 6,865 homes, and half of them were standing by 1966. The rules below decide how much of the old roof has to come off and what goes under the new one.

New Roofing Costs connects homeowners with independent local roofing contractors. We do not perform roofing work.

Call (833) 781-1806 Replacement and new roofs only · homeowners

This number connects homeowners who are planning a new roof or a full roof replacement with independent local roofing contractors. It is not for leak repairs or patch jobs. The call must come from the homeowner who decides on the roof. Calls may be recorded.

A Massachusetts Cape Cod house with a new shingle roof after light snow

The rules for a reroof in Swansea

Permit

Expect a building permit

The residential code’s permit-exempt list (R105.2) has no roofing line. Swansea’s building department issues it, and the application carries the contractor’s HIC registration number.

Source: 780 CMR 51.00, Chapter 1 amendments (R105)

Layers

One old layer can stay; two cannot

On a roof that already carries two layers, or slate or tile, the code allows no recover: it is a tear-off (IRC R908.3.1.1). 73% of Swansea’s homes were built before 1980, so count the layers before comparing quotes.

Source: IRC 2021, Chapter 9 (Pennsylvania edition, UpCodes); 780 CMR 51.00, Chapter 9 amendments

Ice barrier

Required in Swansea, as in every Massachusetts town

The state’s climate table marks the ice barrier “yes” statewide. It runs from the eave to 24 inches inside the exterior wall, more on steep roofs (IRC R905.1.2); check that the quote lists it.

Source: 780 CMR 51.00, Chapter 3 amendments (Tables R301.2(1) and R301.2(2)); IRC 2021, Chapter 9 (Pennsylvania edition, UpCodes)

Wind and snow

127 mph design wind, 30 psf ground snow

Swansea’s code design values are a 127 mph ultimate design wind speed and a 30 psf ground snow load (30 psf minimum flat-roof snow load). At that wind speed the code calls for asphalt shingles labeled ASTM D7158 Class G or H (Table R905.2.4.1).

Source: 780 CMR 51.00, Chapter 3 amendments (Tables R301.2(1) and R301.2(2)); IRC 2021, Chapter 9 (Pennsylvania edition, UpCodes) (780 CMR 51.00, Table R301.2(2))

Rules as read on October 24, 2026. Code edition, permit and contract rules for the whole state: roof replacement in Massachusetts.

Homes and roofs in Swansea

Of 6,790 occupied homes in Swansea, 5,786 (85%) are owner-occupied. By year built, 22% before 1940, 43% before 1960, 73% before 1980; 14% went up in 2000 or later. (ACS 2020–2024.)

By building type: 91% detached houses.

Of the 20 Bristol County municipalities on this site, Swansea has the 5th largest share of homes built before 1980: 73%, against a county range of 37% to 84%.

ZIP codes: 02777

Swansea and the towns around it

Place	Median built	Before 1980	Owners	Row, twin	Hail days
Swansea	1966	73%	85%	1%	6
Somerset	1962	81%	87%	2%	5
Dighton	1975	54%	90%	3%	5
Rehoboth	1977	53%	93%	1%	8
Fall River	1945	78%	35%	2%	6
Seekonk	1967	65%	87%	3%	11

Median built: median year the homes were built. Before 1980: share of homes built then. Owners: share of homes that are owner-occupied. Row, twin: share of homes that are rowhouses, twins or townhouses. Census ACS 2020–2024. Hail days: days with hail of 1 inch or larger within 10 miles, 2006–2025, NOAA Storm Prediction Center.

Storm record around Swansea

Since 2006 the National Weather Service has logged hail of 1 inch or larger on 6 separate days within 10 miles of Swansea; the largest was 2 in on July 18, 2012. The most recent was August 26, 2024.

That is fewer than most places in the state on this site (median 10 days).

Federal major-disaster declarations for storms in Bristol County since 2006: 7, most recently DR-4651, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm, declared April 2022. (OpenFEMA.)

A report says hail fell near Swansea, not that it damaged a roof. When wind or hail damage means a new roof.

What goes on the roof next

HUD’s useful-life figures are for planning; a warranty is a separate promise. For Swansea’s houses: More in the guides to shingles, metal, slate and flat roofs.

Material	HUD useful life	Fits a house like	Watch for
Asphalt shingles	20 years	Most pitched roofs; 91% of homes here are detached	Class G or H at 127 mph design wind (IRC Table R905.2.4.1)
Metal (standing seam, panels)	50 years	Low pitches and long runs	Standing seam that carries its own loads can skip the tear-off (R908.3.1)
Slate	75 years	Older houses; 22% here predate 1940	Never a base for a new layer (R908.3.1.1); heavy
Flat roof: EPDM or TPO	15 years	Porches, additions, low-slope rears	Coating is not a replacement

Checking a contractor in Massachusetts

Two numbers to ask for in Swansea: the HIC registration (M.G.L. c. 142A, for owner-occupied homes of one to four units) and the construction supervisor license (CSL) with the roof covering specialty.

The price side is in what a new roof costs in Massachusetts; the paperwork side in checking a roofing contractor.

Questions about a new roof in Swansea

Does a roof replacement in Swansea need a permit?

Expect a building permit. The residential code’s permit-exempt list (R105.2) has no roofing line. Swansea’s building department issues it, and the application carries the contractor’s HIC registration number.

Is a roof-over allowed in Swansea, or is it a tear-off?

How old are the houses in Swansea?

By the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2020–2024), the median home in Swansea was built in 1966, 73% of homes were built before 1980, 85% are owner-occupied.

How often does hail hit Swansea?

Hail of 1 inch or larger was reported on 6 days within 10 miles of Swansea from 2006 through 2025 (NOAA Storm Prediction Center). A report means hail fell nearby, not that a roof was damaged.

How do I check a roofing contractor in Swansea?