Roof replacement timeline

A straightforward asphalt roof on a single-family house takes one to three days of on-site work. The calendar from signing to finishing is usually two to eight weeks, and almost all of that is waiting rather than working.

Knowing which parts are fixed and which are weather makes the difference between a project that feels controlled and one that feels like it is happening to you.

The calendar, not the work

In storm season, after a regional hail event, add weeks to nearly every line. Demand spikes, crews book out, and materials go on allocation.

The days themselves

Day one, early. Materials arrive, often the day before, and are loaded onto the roof or stacked in the drive. A dumpster is positioned. Tarps go over landscaping and against the walls.

Tear-off starts at the top. This is the loud part. Everything in the house vibrates slightly, dust comes down through the ceiling, and anything hanging on a wall may not stay there.

Day one, afternoon. The deck is exposed and inspected. This is when the per-sheet decking conversation happens, and why that rate should already be in the contract. Underlayment goes down over the sound deck as they clear, so the house is never open overnight.

Day two. Ice and water shield at eaves and valleys, drip edge, underlayment completed, then shingles from the eave upward. Flashing at every penetration. Ridge vent and ridge cap last.

Day three, if needed. Complicated roofs, steep pitches, several layers to strip, or bad weather.

The end of each day. A magnetic sweep of the drive, the lawn and the beds for nails. Ask that it is done daily rather than only at the end, because tyres and bare feet do not wait.

What you should do beforehand

• Move cars out of the driveway and away from the eaves
• Take pictures off walls, especially on the top floor
• Cover anything in the attic; dust comes through the deck
• Move garden furniture, pots and anything fragile clear of the walls
• Agree where the dumpster goes and whether the drive needs protecting
• Tell the neighbours, because it is loud and it starts early
• Arrange for pets to be elsewhere, or at least away from the noise

Nobody needs to be home, but somebody should be reachable, because the decking decision happens mid-morning on day one.

What to check before signing off

• The magnetic sweep has been done and you have walked the garden yourself
• Gutters are clear of debris and nails
• Flashing at every penetration is metal, not sealant
• The ridge vent runs the length it should
• No shingles or wrappers left in the beds
• The inspection has been passed, and you have the certificate
• Warranty documents in writing: manufacturer and workmanship, separately
• Final payment only after the inspection, not before

Weather, and why the date moves

Shingles need warmth to seal. Below about 40°F the adhesive strip will not bond until the following summer, which is why winter installations need hand-sealing and why good contractors would rather wait.

Rain stops work entirely once the deck is open, and a crew will not tear off a roof they cannot dry in. A forecast that changes on the morning moves your job, and that is the contractor doing the right thing.

Late spring and early autumn are the best conditions and the busiest calendar. Late winter is the cheapest and the least reliable.

Frequently asked questions

Can I stay in the house?

Yes, and most people do. It is loud from about seven in the morning until mid afternoon, and the top floor is unpleasant. People who work from home usually go elsewhere for those two days.

What if it rains halfway through?

The crew dries in what is open — underlayment over the exposed deck — and stops. The house is weathertight overnight at every stage of a properly run job. If a crew leaves a deck bare under a forecast, that is a serious problem, not bad luck.

When do I pay?

A deposit at signing, commonly 10% to 30%, and the balance after the inspection passes. Be wary of a demand for full payment up front or a large cash deposit; the material supplier extends credit to the contractor, not to you.

Do I need to be there for the inspection?

Usually not. The inspector deals with the contractor and files the result with the building department. Ask for a copy either way — it is the document that proves the work was permitted when you sell.

How much notice does the permit need?

Days in some places, weeks in others, and it is the least predictable part of the schedule. A contractor who works in your town knows the number; ask for it before you plan around a date.