How Long Does It Take to Replace a Roof?

A Breakdown of the Average Time to Replace a Roof

Several moving parts determine the timeline of a roof replacement. 

Inspection and Estimate. After you contact a roofing company about replacing your roof, they will come out and perform a thorough inspection to provide an accurate estimate. A roofing professional will take measurements of the roof, check for weak areas in the decking, look for damaged flashing, and check the quality of the ventilation system. Then, they will discuss with you the options for roofing materials and go over the pros and cons of each. 

After you make a decision, your roofing contractor will draw up a cost estimate that includes materials and labor. Some estimates can be emailed to customers that evening, while some may take a few days if a contractor is busy with other appointments. 

Insurance and Financing. If your roof has storm damage that is covered under your homeowner's insurance plan, you will want to wait for their payment before beginning a roofing job. If you will be paying for the new roof yourself, you may need to take time to secure a home improvement loan or other type of financing. Of course, if Honest Abe is your chosen roofer, they will discuss Easy Payment Solutions, which they offer to make payments affordable to homeowners. 

Ordering Parts. Once your contract has been signed, the roofing contractor will order all of the essential parts for the job. As long as the material you choose is in stock, your roofing job will likely be scheduled as soon as the contractor has an opening.  

Tear Off and Repairs. On the day your roof replacement is scheduled, you don’t even have to be home. The only alteration to your daily routine is that you won’t be able to park in the driveway since that is where the dumpster and materials will be. A crew will arrive early in the morning, climb on your roof, and scrape off the old shingles, which can take 4-6 hours. If the decking is rotted, it will take several extra hours to replace it.   

Installation. If the weather cooperates, installation can begin immediately after tear off. Drip edge, ice and water shield, flashing, and underlayment will need to go on first, followed by shingles and then a ridge cap. 

The time to install a roof varies depending on the size of the home and your chosen materials. For instance, installing asphalt shingles takes one day on a smaller home and up to three days on a larger home. Installing metal panels usually takes between four and six days.   

Problems That Can Cause Delays in the Roofing Process

While a roof can generally be installed in a day or two, there is always a possibility for that timeline to be extended. Reasons for roofing delays include: 

Time of Year

How long it takes to replace a roof often depends on the climate and season in which the job takes place. Fall is usually the best time to replace a roof without experiencing delays that are common in other seasons:

• In winter, ice or snow storms make it unsafe to maneuver on the roof, and shingles can become brittle in temperatures below 40 degrees. 
• In summer, extreme heat (typically above 85 degrees) can cause shingles to crack and makes it hard for adhesive to stick to shingles.
• In spring, a rainy day or two can keep a crew from starting — or finishing — a job.  

Structural Issues

If a roof has gone too long without needed repairs, damage can occur to the underlying structure. Not only will the decking have to be replaced, but there can also be mold and bacteria that settle into the attic and walls from water damage. All of this must be addressed before finishing a roofing job and can take from several extra hours to several extra days. 

Material Delivery

If a certain popular shingle color is on backorder or you’ve chosen a unique style of material that isn’t in stock, you may have to wait several weeks until the materials can be delivered. A roofing job can’t begin until all parts are present, so this can extend the time to replace a roof. 

How Long Does it Take to Replace a Roof? When You Choose Honest Abe, You Will Know the Answer Right from the Start

If you’ve been putting off a roof replacement because you feel it will disrupt your life, it’s time to contact Honest Abe. We have been in the roofing business since 2007 and founded our company on transparency and honesty. When we discuss your roofing project, we will tell you upfront how long it will take, and explain that you can go about your daily routine as if we weren’t even there. We will give you a timeframe and do all we can to complete the job in that timeframe, all while taking special care to perform a professional, quality installation. There’s a reason why we guarantee our roofs for a lifetime!