Your Complete Guide to the Roof Replacement Process
Having your roof replaced is one of the largest home improvement projects you'll experience. Understanding each phase helps you prepare properly and sets realistic expectations for the process.
Before Work Begins: Preparation
What You Should Do:
Exterior Preparation:
- Move vehicles away from the house
- Remove or secure patio furniture
- Take down hanging plants and decorations
- Protect delicate landscaping with boards or tarps
- Clear pathways for worker access
Interior Preparation:
- Remove or cover attic items
- Take down wall hangings on upper floors
- Expect dust and vibration
- Plan for pets to be in a quiet area
- Consider being away during noisiest phases
What Your Contractor Should Do:
- Pull all required permits
- Order and deliver materials
- Schedule inspection appointments
- Coordinate dumpster delivery
- Review the project with you
Day 1: Tear-Off
What Happens:
The crew removes your existing roofing materials:
- Starting early (typically 7 AM)
- Removing shingles, tiles, or existing materials
- Inspecting and replacing damaged decking
- Cleaning debris continuously
What You'll Experience:
- Significant noise (hammer, tear-off tools)
- Debris falling into dumpster
- Workers on ladders and roof
- Some dust inside the home
Duration: Most tear-offs complete in one day
Day 2-3: New Roof Installation
For Shingle Roofs:
Day 2:
- Install underlayment (ice and water shield, synthetic)
- Apply drip edge and flashing
- Begin shingle installation
Day 3:
- Complete shingle installation
- Install ridge caps
- Seal all penetrations
- Clean up
For Tile Roofs:
Day 2-3:
- Install underlayment system
- Apply battens
- Begin tile installation
Day 4-5:
- Complete tile installation
- Ridge and hip installation
- Final details and cleanup
For Metal Roofs:
Day 2:
- Install underlayment
- Apply edge trim and flashing
- Begin panel installation
Day 3-4:
- Complete panel installation
- Ridge caps and finishing
- Sealant and touch-up
Daily Operations
Work Hours:
Typically 7 AM - 6 PM (may vary by municipality)
Crew Size:
4-8 workers for residential projects
Your Accessibility:
- Driveway may be partially blocked
- Front/side of home will have activity
- You can remain home during work
- Questions welcomed but respect work time
After Completion
Final Inspection:
- County inspector verifies code compliance
- Your contractor should be present
- Any issues addressed before final approval
Cleanup:
- All debris removed
- Magnetic sweepers used for nails
- Property restored to pre-work condition
- Dumpster removed
Walkthrough:
- Review completed work with your contractor
- Ask questions about maintenance
- Receive warranty documentation
- Understand any follow-up needed
Timeline Variables
Weather Delays:
Rain halts work. Contractors protect exposed areas and resume when conditions allow.
Discovery Issues:
Unexpected deck damage or structural issues may add time and cost (discussed before proceeding).
Material Delivery:
Backordered or specialty materials may affect scheduling.
Communication Expectations
A good contractor provides:
- Pre-start walkthrough and timeline
- Daily end-of-day updates
- Immediate notification of any issues
- Clear explanation of any changes
- Post-completion walkthrough
Experience the Molsbee Process
Molsbee Roofing has refined our roof replacement process over nearly 50 years. We communicate clearly, work efficiently, and leave your property better than we found it. Call (561) 318-8624 to start your project.