2024’s Perfect Storm: How Roofing Material Shortages Are Reshaping Project Timelines and Budgets Across Monmouth County

Monmouth County homeowners planning roofing projects in 2024 are facing an unprecedented challenge that extends far beyond simply choosing between asphalt shingles or metal roofing. Supply chain issues and material shortages fell to 15%, compared to 22% last year, according to recent industry reports, but this improvement masks the ongoing reality that many contractors and homeowners continue to experience significant delays and cost increases.

The roofing industry has been particularly hard hit by supply chain disruptions that began during the pandemic and continue to affect project timelines and costs today. Mounting shortages and rising costs have left contractors in some cases delaying projects or using substitute materials when possible. Steel, roofing and insulation materials are some of the most difficult products to get right now, creating a ripple effect that impacts every aspect of roofing projects from initial estimates to final completion.

Understanding the Current Material Shortage Landscape

The challenges facing Monmouth County homeowners aren’t isolated incidents—they’re part of a broader crisis affecting the entire construction industry. Due to the supply chain shortage, the most affected roofing items are fasteners, plates, adhesives, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), and thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roofing materials. These shortages have created a domino effect where even seemingly minor components can delay entire projects.

Bar joists, which are used to frame roofs, can have lead times of anywhere from 10 months to 14 months. Costs have also soared, with the index for steel mill products rising 123% YoY in August, demonstrating the severity of the situation facing both contractors and homeowners.

The impact extends beyond just availability. The supply chain shortage has caused a dramatic construction input price increase of 23.1% over the past year, forcing many homeowners to reconsider their project timelines or explore alternative materials.

How Shortages Are Affecting Local Project Timelines

For Monmouth County residents, these supply chain issues translate into real-world delays and complications. Historically, we submit a purchase order and receive a firm delivery date, and all the needed materials and accessories are delivered within a few weeks. Right now, we are looking at 6-8 weeks minimum, and often 10-12 weeks or more for delivery.

Local roofing contractors are adapting to these challenges by adjusting their business practices. Since the supply chain shortage will likely last into 2022, getting on a roofing contractor’s job list as soon as possible is in your best interest. Manage your expectations: As noted, roofing contractors face severe supply chain shortages, requiring longer-than-normal lead times for ordering the roofing materials they need.

This reality means that what once might have been a straightforward two-week project could now stretch into months, depending on material availability and weather conditions. Smart homeowners are booking their projects well in advance and working with established local contractors who have stronger supplier relationships.

Cost Implications for Monmouth County Homeowners

The financial impact of these shortages is being felt across all types of roofing projects. As our numbers show in 2025 average cost that homeowners paid for roof repair in Monmouth county is between $203.00 and $1,526.00 for repairs, while full replacements are seeing even more dramatic increases.

John Kabourakis, the owner of Fortified Roofing, says that New Jersey roof replacement costs range anywhere from $8,000 to $12,000 for the majority of households, but these figures are increasingly subject to material availability surcharges and extended timeline costs.

The situation has prompted many contractors to implement new pricing strategies. Similar to fuel surcharges, adding a price change clause to roofing contracts can help contractors avoid potential losses. When walking a customer through a price change clause, roofing contractors may want to point out that the home or building owner could benefit should there be a decrease in material prices.

Working with Experienced Local Contractors

In this challenging environment, choosing the right contractor becomes even more critical. A Roofing Company Monmouth County with established supplier relationships and decades of experience can often navigate these challenges more effectively than newer or less established firms.

A Russo & Son Roofing, serving Monmouth County for over 40 years, has adapted to these challenges by maintaining strong supplier relationships and offering transparent communication about potential delays. We offer a 30-year labor warranty and a 20-year workmanship warranty, underlining our confidence in the quality of our work. Additionally, we offer same-day estimates and emergency services, demonstrating our commitment to customer service.

The company’s long-standing presence in the community has proven valuable during these uncertain times. Our warranties are backed by our 40+ years in business and our commitment to standing behind our work. Many roofing companies offer warranties they can’t honor—we’ve been honoring ours for four decades.

Strategies for Managing Your Roofing Project

Given the current environment, homeowners need to approach roofing projects with realistic expectations and strategic planning. In this case, start planning your roof replacement right away. Because of the severity of the supply chain shortage, there’s no such thing as getting the ball rolling too soon.

Key strategies include:

• Booking projects well in advance of when you actually need the work completed
• Being flexible with material choices and understanding that substitutions may be necessary
• Working with established local contractors who have proven supplier relationships
• Building buffer time into project schedules for potential delays
• Understanding that prices may fluctuate based on material availability

Looking Ahead: What to Expect

While some industry indicators show improvement, experts caution that challenges will persist. The general outlook is for supply to stabilize and slowly improve throughout 2022, but it will remain tight. It will continue to be a challenging year, but hopefully a little bit more manageable and predictable.

For Monmouth County homeowners, this means continuing to plan ahead and work with contractors who understand the local market conditions. The coastal environment presents unique challenges that require specialized materials and expertise, making the choice of contractor even more critical during these supply-constrained times.

Despite the challenges, roofing projects remain essential investments in home protection and value. Even if the economy continues to dip, the need for new roofs and roof repairs will continue. The key is working with experienced professionals who can navigate the current landscape while delivering quality results that will protect your investment for decades to come.

By understanding these challenges and planning accordingly, Monmouth County homeowners can successfully complete their roofing projects despite the ongoing supply chain disruptions, ensuring their homes remain protected against New Jersey’s challenging weather conditions.