Roof replacement in Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky
We replace roofs on both sides of the river, including finished roofs in Burlington and Independence in Northern Kentucky and in Hamilton, Ohio. We do full roof replacements only, plus gutters, guards and siding. No repairs. If a repair is what you need, we’ll say so.
We’re registered as a contractor with the City of Cincinnati.
There’s no charge for the inspection and nothing to sign. If the roof doesn’t need replacing, we’ll tell you.
What’s different about roofs in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky?
Two states, two sets of rules. Here’s what matters on each side.
In Cincinnati, a reroof usually doesn’t need a permit, but your roofer needs a city registration
The City of Cincinnati doesn’t require a building permit to replace roof coverings on a one-, two- or three-family home, as long as there are no more than two layers of roofing when the job is done. We tear everything off, so that’s never an issue on our jobs. Structural work like rafters is a different story.
What a lot of people don’t know: Cincinnati requires contractors doing home improvement work on one- to three-family homes to register with the city, carry liability insurance and Ohio workers’ comp. That applies even when no permit is needed. We’re registered.
Ohio has no state roofing license, so rules are local. Suburbs set their own, so check with your city.
Cincinnati historic districts: approval even when there’s no permit
This one catches people. If your house is a local landmark or in one of Cincinnati’s local historic districts, you need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the city’s Historic Conservation Office for exterior work, even when the work is exempt from a building permit, which includes most reroofs. Staff review minor work; bigger changes go to the Historic Conservation Board. The city charges a fee for each review.
Northern Kentucky: the deck decides
Kenton County’s building codes office (PDS) exempts “ordinary re-roofing” from permits, as long as no sheathing or structural members are repaired or replaced. Replacing decking makes it permit work. In Boone and Campbell counties, call the county building department to confirm for your address. Either way, we’ll tell you at the inspection if the deck looks like it’ll need replacing.
Old housing on both sides of the river
According to Census data, about four in ten homes in the City of Cincinnati were built before 1940, and Covington is older still. Older roofs mean more chimneys to flash, more board decking, and more layers left behind by past reroofs. Newer NKY suburbs like Burlington and Independence look a lot more like the subdivisions around Lexington: 1980s-and-later homes on their first or second replacement.
Storms
On June 18, 2026, the National Weather Service confirmed an EF1 tornado near Florence that tracked from Boone into Kenton County. Most storm damage is less dramatic than that. An inspection with photos tells you what you’re dealing with.
Recent roofs in Northern Kentucky.
A FORTIFIED roof in Burlington and a replacement in Independence.
Burlington, KYFORTIFIED roofCompleted Aug 2026
FORTIFIED roof
One-story brick ranch: torn off to the deck, every deck seam taped, then a new charcoal roof.
Built to the FORTIFIED standard. What FORTIFIED changes
Independence, KYRoof replacementSep 2026
Roof replacement
Two-story brick and vinyl home: torn off to the deck, with new sheathing going down before the new roof.
FORTIFIED deck: seams taped, before underlaymentBurlington, KY · Aug 2026
How it works.
Inspection.
We get on the roof and photograph what we find. If it doesn’t need replacing, we tell you.
Scope and price in writing.
You see exactly what we’ll do and what it costs before you decide.
Tear-off to the deck.
Every roof comes off down to the deck. We photograph the bare deck, the underlayment, the drip edge and the flashing before each one is covered.
Cleanup and handoff.
We clean up, walk it with you, and you get the photo record. Your roof carries our 10-year workmanship warranty, and we’re a CertainTeed ShingleMaster.
Ohio or Kentucky, we check the rules for your address before we write the scope.
Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky roofing questions.
- Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Cincinnati?
- Usually not. The city exempts roof coverings on one- to three-family homes when no more than two layers remain. If your house is in a local historic district, you still need a Certificate of Appropriateness. Structural work needs a permit.
- What about Northern Kentucky?
- In Kenton County, an ordinary reroof is exempt unless sheathing or structure is replaced. In Boone and Campbell counties, call the county building department to confirm for your address.
- You’re based in Lexington. What do I get up here?
- The same process as anywhere we work: an inspection with photos, a written scope and price, every layer photographed, and our 10-year workmanship warranty.
- Will you work with my insurance company?
- Yes, any carrier, in either state. After you file, we can meet the adjuster. Coverage is between you and your insurer. We don’t promise approvals, and we don’t pay or waive deductibles.
- Where have you worked up here?
- Finished roofs in Burlington and Independence, Kentucky, and Hamilton, Ohio. Call and ask about your address.
Four rules. Every job.
- Tell the truth. If it doesn’t need replacing, we say so.
- Document everything. Every layer photographed before it’s covered.
- Communicate clearly. You always know what’s next, and who to call.
- Own the outcome. If something goes wrong, we make it right.
Schedule your inspection.
We inspect it, photograph it and explain exactly what we found.
There’s no charge for the inspection and nothing to sign. If the roof doesn’t need replacing, we’ll tell you.
- NextDuring business hours, we usually call you back within minutes. Your roof is inspected within 48 hours. Want to reach us first? Text (859) 300-0710.
- HoursMon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 9am–5pm
Prefer to call? (859) 300-0710