Vera's Roofing does free roof inspections on Bald Head Island and across Brunswick and New Hanover counties, and every inspection includes photos and notes. Call (910) 228-8034 or request a free roof inspection.

On Bald Head Island, the roof is only part of the job. There's no bridge and there are no personal cars, so crews, tools, materials and old roofing all come and go by ferry or barge. Most roof changes also need the Bald Head Association's OK before the Village permit. Start with an inspection, so you know what the roof needs before any of that gets scheduled.

How roof work gets to the island

  • No bridge. Bald Head Island is a barrier island about 3 miles across the Cape Fear River from Southport. Ferries leave from Deep Point Marina in Southport, and the ride takes about 20 minutes.
  • The contractor ferry carries only hand loads. Everything has to be carried on by one person in one trip, nothing longer than 8 feet total, with no wagons, wheelbarrows or gas cans.
  • Materials and equipment go by barge. Reservations are required in both directions, and the Village recommends booking at least two weeks ahead. The barge typically runs Monday through Friday, and heavy wind or fog can affect it.
  • No personal cars. People get around by golf cart, bike or tram. Gas-powered golf carts aren't allowed on Village streets, and gas-powered work trucks need a Village permit and can only run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays.
  • Debris is contained on site. Village rules require work sites to keep trash and debris contained on site.

So the inspection comes first. With photos and notes in hand, you know what the roof needs before anyone books barge space or orders materials.

Approvals before a roof changes

According to the Village's contractor handbook, most properties on the island are under the Bald Head Association, and the association's approval comes before Village permits and inspections. The Village follows the North Carolina State Building Code, and its fee schedule lists re-roofing among its minor permits. We handle permits when they're required.

Here's what the association's design guidelines (27th edition, amended January 2025) say about roofs:

  • Same material, same approved color. If an approved roof color application is on file, a new roof of similar material in the originally approved color needs no new approval.
  • A new color or a new material. A color change needs a roof color review. A material change needs a Minor Change application. Roof submittals must include a sample of the proposed material, and written approval is required before installation, or fines may follow.
  • Metal is allowed, with limits. Metal roofs are acceptable, but bright silver, reflective Galvalume and mill finishes are not. Roof colors should complement the island, such as beiges and grays. Roof vents such as ridge vents and exhaust fans must be painted to be compatible with the roof color, and unpainted copper is acceptable.
  • Repairs have to blend in. Any roof patch repair must be undetectable and consistent in appearance with the existing roofing.

That last rule matters even for a small leak. The repair has to match what's already up there, so it helps to know the exact material and color before anyone plans the work.

What we check on a Bald Head Island roof

  • Flashing, edges and fasteners. Salt air is hard on roof metal near the shore. Our Caswell Beach salt air guide explains why, and what North Carolina's code says about flashing and fasteners.
  • Vents and pipe boots. Under the association's rules, ridge vents and roof exhaust fans have to be painted to go with the roof color. If a leak traces to a vent or pipe boot, see our roof vent leak repair page.
  • Trees over the roof. Part of the island is maritime forest, and some homes sit among the trees. Village rules require a landscape permit before pruning limbs larger than 5 inches in diameter or cutting trees larger than 3 inches in caliper at four feet above grade, so a big limb over the roof is a permit question, not a quick trim.
  • What's on the roof now. The photos record the current material and how it's holding up, which helps when a repair has to match it.

You can read how our roof inspection works before you book.

FORTIFIED roof grants for barrier island homes

If your home is insured through the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association (NCIUA), its Strengthen Your Roof pilot program offers grants of up to $10,000 toward an IBHS FORTIFIED Roof for eligible policies in certain areas of North Carolina's Outer Banks and barrier islands. Grants are first come, first served. NCIUA checks the policy and location first, then IBHS decides whether the home qualifies for a FORTIFIED Roof. Approved applicants have 18 months to finish the roof and earn the FORTIFIED designation, and the grant is paid after that. Homeowners check eligibility and apply directly through NCIUA.

When to book a roof inspection

The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends roof inspections at least twice a year, preferably in spring and fall, and after severe weather such as a hurricane, tornado or hailstorm. The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to Nov. 30.

If you aren't on the island much, there may be nobody around to notice a new stain or a lifted shingle. The photos and notes cover that. We send them to you, so you can see what we saw. For a second home or rental, tell us how to get in and when guests are there, so we can plan the visit.

From the ground, watch for missing or lifted shingles, new stains on a ceiling, flashing that has moved, or gutters spilling over in the rain. Please don't climb onto the roof to check. That's what the inspection is for.

If a storm just came through, our guide to checking a roof after a storm covers what you can safely look at. If you're weighing materials, read metal roof vs. shingles on the NC coast. More on the island is in the Bald Head Island notes on our Brunswick County page, and the mainland side of the ferry is on our Southport roofing page.

About Vera's Roofing

  • Family-owned and insured. We're a family-owned roofer, and we carry workers' comp and general liability insurance.
  • Shingles and metal. We install CertainTeed and GAF 30-year shingles. For metal, we offer 5-V, Multi-Rib and standing seam, painted, 26-gauge minimum.
  • Warranty. Installs come with our one-year labor-and-materials warranty plus the manufacturer warranties.
  • Permits and tarping. We handle permits when they're required, and we tarp roofs when it's needed.
  • FORTIFIED Roofer. We're a FORTIFIED Roofer, provider ID R012048.

You can see more of our work on our project photos page.

Questions about Bald Head Island roofs

Do you do roof inspections on Bald Head Island, NC?

Yes. Vera's Roofing inspects roofs on Bald Head Island and across Brunswick and New Hanover counties. The inspection is free and includes photos and notes.

Do I need Bald Head Association approval to replace my roof?

It depends on what changes. Under the association's design guidelines, a new roof of similar material in the originally approved color needs no new approval if an approved roof color application is on file. A color change needs a roof color review, a material change needs a Minor Change application, and written approval is required before installation.

How do roofing materials get to Bald Head Island?

By barge from Deep Point Marina in Southport, with reservations required in both directions. The contractor ferry only takes what one person can carry on in one trip, up to 8 feet total.

Is there a grant for a FORTIFIED roof on Bald Head Island?

NCIUA's Strengthen Your Roof pilot program offers grants of up to $10,000 toward an IBHS FORTIFIED Roof for eligible NCIUA policies in certain areas of North Carolina's Outer Banks and barrier islands, first come, first served. Homeowners apply directly through NCIUA, and NCIUA and IBHS decide eligibility.