OUR STORY

At J. Carnes & Son Roofing, our story is one of hard work, family values, and a relentless commitment to doing things the right way.

Founder Jason (Jay) Carnes grew up in the roofing trade, working for his father’s roofing company in Massachusetts from the time he was just 13 years old. He spent summers and weekends on job sites, loading shingles and cleaning up after the crew—learning firsthand the value of showing up early, working hard, and taking pride in every detail.

As a teenager, Jay began learning the craft from his Uncle Ken, who taught him how to install shingles and diagnose roof issues. After high school, Jay spent several years in mortgage lending and law firms, but when the refinance boom slowed, he returned to his roots—roofing homes with his own two hands.

He started small—taking on jobs solo, hand-nailing entire roofs, and doing estimates late into the night. That dedication and work ethic quickly led to referrals, and the business began to grow.

In 2006, Jay and his partner Julie moved to New Hampshire’s beautiful Seacoast, bought a home, and committed to building a life—and a company—rooted in family and community. When they had their first child Cam in 2008, they renamed the company to J. Carnes & Son Roofing. This was the same time the housing crash hit, work became scarce, but Jay kept his overhead low, his standards high, and worked harder than ever to earn every opportunity.

As demand returned, he began hiring and training roofing crews while still assisting in the field and writing estimates—always making time for dinner with Julie and their growing family: Cam, Jax, and later Cole.

Eventually, the company outgrew their home-based operation. When the perfect location became available in Hampton Falls, they opened their first official office, expanded their team, and started building a brand focused on trust, craftsmanship, and customer-first service.

Julie, originally a full-time hairstylist, teamed up with Jay now working directly with the business—visiting job sites, photographing projects, and building personal relationships with clients.

Today, J. Carnes & Son Roofing completes over $12 million in roofing and exterior projects annually. While we’ve grown significantly, our approach hasn’t changed—we still treat every home with the same care, precision, and personal service that built our reputation.