How Long Does a Roof Replacement Take?

For many homes, the actual work on the roof takes a day or two. Larger, steeper, or more complicated roofs take longer, and weather has the final say. Knowing what happens each day makes the whole process a lot less stressful.

Before the crew arrives

Materials are ordered and scheduled, and you should have a start window in writing. Move cars out of the driveway, take down anything fragile hanging on walls near the roofline, and let the crew know about pets or anything in the yard they should avoid.

Tear-off and decking inspection

The old shingles and underlayment come off first. This is the first time anyone can see the wood decking underneath, and it is where surprises show up. Soft, damp, or damaged boards need to be replaced before anything new goes on.

Underlayment, flashing, and edge details

A protective underlayment goes down over the deck, followed by drip edge and new flashing at valleys, chimneys, walls, and vents. These pieces do much of the work of keeping water out, so they are worth checking in your estimate and in the finished job.

Shingles, ridge, and ventilation

Shingles are installed row by row, then the ridge and vents are finished. On a straightforward roof, this is the fastest part of the job, and the part most people picture when they think of replacement.

Cleanup

A good crew removes debris and runs a magnetic sweep across the yard and driveway to pick up stray nails. Before you sign off, walk the property, check the gutters, and ask about anything that does not look right.

Planning a replacement?

Gerkin Construction replaces roofs for homeowners throughout Bedford, Mitchell, Paoli, and nearby communities. We will walk you through the scope, the timeline, and what to expect before we start.