What It Costs to Replace a Roof That Has Solar Panels in NJ
What It Costs to Replace a Roof That Has Solar Panels in NJ
June 27, 2026
If you have solar panels and your roof needs work, you've hit a frustrating gap: most roofers won't touch the panels, and most solar companies don't do roofs. That gap is where the surprise cost hides. So when people ask what it costs to replace a roof with solar panels in NJ, the answer has two parts: the roof itself, and the work to move the panels out of the way and put them back. Here's how that breaks down, and how to keep it from spiraling.
The Two Parts of the Cost
A roof replacement on a solar home has two pieces:
The roof: tear off the old roof, fix any bad decking, and install the new one.
The solar work: disconnect and remove the panels before the roof job, then reinstall and reconnect them after. This is called a detach and reset.
The roof part is priced like any other replacement. The detach and reset is the part people don't see coming.
What a Detach and Reset Adds
Moving panels isn't just unscrewing them. The system has to be powered down and the panels and wiring disconnected. Then the mounts come off, the panels get stored safely, and the whole array is put back and reconnected to code. Industry estimates put this work at roughly $200 to $500 per panel. On a full system, that adds up fast.
What changes your price:
How many panels you have (most of the cost is per panel)
Your roof's slope and height
The condition of the mounts and wiring
Whether old mount holes need sealing before the new roof
Where the Real Money Gets Lost
The biggest cost on a solar roof job often isn't the work itself. It's the coordination. When a roofer and a separate solar company both have to be involved, you get scheduling gaps, finger-pointing, and delays. There are documented cases of homeowners waiting months to get their panels back on after the roof was done. The whole time, they're still paying for power those panels should have been making.
That's the trap. Two companies, two schedules, and you stuck in the middle.
What If Your Original Installer is Gone?
The usual advice is to call the company that installed your panels. The problem is that a lot of solar installers have closed their doors in the last couple of years. If you can't reach yours, you're stuck waiting on a company that may not exist anymore. Because we keep a licensed electrician on our own crew, you don't have to track anyone down. We disconnect, store, and reset the panels ourselves.
How One Team Keeps the Cost Down
GRM Roofing keeps an in-house licensed electrician on the crew, so we handle the roof and the panels together. One team, one schedule, one bill, and no waiting on a second company to come back. GRM's own numbers show this approach typically saves homeowners $3,000 to $8,000 versus hiring the roof and solar work separately. We pull the permits, seal the old mount holes before the new roof goes on so you don't get leaks later, and give you a clear timeline up front.
Is it Worth Doing the Roof and Solar at the Same Time?
If your roof is near the end of its life, yes. Solar panels last about as long as a good roof. Doing both at once means you won't have to pay to move the panels again in a few years. The U.S. Department of Energy points out that pairing a roof job with solar work avoids a second removal down the road. You pay for the detach and reset once instead of twice.
How to Get an Accurate Number
There's no honest way to quote a solar roof job from a website. The price depends on your roof size, your panel count, and your system. The right move is a free inspection. We look at the roof and the array together and give you one written estimate that covers both. No guessing, and no surprise second bill from a solar company later. You'll know the full cost up front, roof and panels included.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does removing and reinstalling solar panels add to roof replacement cost?
Yes. The detach and reset is a separate part of the job. Industry estimates put it at roughly $200 to $500 per panel, depending on your system. We fold it into one written estimate so there's no surprise.
Do you need a licensed electrician to detach and reset solar panels?
Yes. The system has to be safely powered down and reconnected to code, which is electrical work. We keep an in-house licensed electrician on our crew, so we handle it ourselves instead of sending you to another company.
Can GRM handle both the roof and the solar panels?
Yes. That's the whole point of how we work. One team handles the roof and the detach and reset together, on one schedule. You're not stuck waiting on a separate solar company. Call (609) 389-2485.
Will insurance pay to move my solar panels?
Sometimes. If the roof work is part of a covered storm claim, the panel removal and reset are often included. Ask your carrier, and we'll document what you need for the claim.
Will moving my panels affect my solar warranty?
It can if the work isn't done right, which is why a licensed electrician should handle it. Proper disconnection, handling, and reconnection protect both the panels and your roof. Keep your paperwork and ask us any warranty questions up front.
How long does a roof replacement with solar panels take?
Most jobs run a little longer than a standard roof because of the panel work. But because we handle both, there's no gap waiting for a second company. We'll give you a clear timeline with your estimate.
Do you offer financing for a new roof?
Yes. We offer financing on larger projects like a full roof replacement with solar work. Ask about your options when we give you your written estimate.
Get One Estimate for the Roof and the Solar Work
Stop juggling two companies. Call GRM Roofing at (609) 389-2485 for a free inspection and one written estimate that covers your roof and your solar panels together.
