How Long Does it Take to Replace a Roof

You own a home. You’ve had it for many years, and it has had the same roof all that time. But recently, you’ve noticed shingles starting to curl. Or perhaps you’ve witnessed unexplained water stains on your ceiling that only seem to be getting worse. Maybe some of the shingles are missing or damaged. However, you’ve been intentionally delaying what you know needs to be done—a roof replacement. You dread the thought. The expense. The disruption. The hassle.

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If only you had answers. You repeatedly ask yourself, “How long does it take to replace a roof?” But you don’t feel like any roofing company will give you the honest truth. You’ve had bad experiences with contractors before. In fact, you went through one regrettable incident that you’d rather forget. You hesitate. What can you realistically expect as far as a time frame? Is it worth the effort? Or should you continue putting off what you know needs doing?

How Long Does It Take To Replace A Roof?‍

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Removing and replacing an existing roof with a new one requires a detailed analysis of the circumstances that impact the expected time frame. Removing and replacing a standard asphalt shingle roof takes 1-3 days (on average). The objective is to work efficiently and cause minimal or no disruption to a homeowner’s life. Ideally, occupants can come and go as they wish throughout every phase of the roof replacement process.

8 Factors That Influence The Roof Replacement Timeline

Availability Of New Roofing Material

A plentiful roofing material (like architectural or three-tab asphalt shingles) is readily available. Such a roofing product can often be delivered within days of placing an order. A “unique” or less commonly available roofing material typically needs to be custom-ordered. A very specialized roofing product can take weeks or months to arrive for installation.

Ease Of Installation

Each roofing material has a unique set of installation requirements. For example, installing asphalt shingles is relatively easy. Most roofing contractors can attach an asphalt shingle roof within 1-2 days.

Existing Roofing Material To Be Removed

For most roofing companies, safely demolishing an old asphalt shingle roof involves a few hours to a full day (depending on the roof size).

Roof Layout/Complexity

A roof design with many angles, slopes, and peaks (like a dormer or hip and valley-style) will necessitate considerably more time and effort to install compared to a straightforward roof layout (such as a gable or flat style). For example, if it takes one day to construct a gable-style asphalt shingle roof, it might require two or three times as much time to attach a hip and valley-style roof. Because we know the style of roof & the square footage ahead of time, we simply plan ahead to have more crew members available on the roof during the roof replacement process. This ensures that the replacement goes as quickly as possible.  The majority of homes take one day to complete even if the roof design is more complex.

Roof Pitch/Steepness

Homes with a flat or low-slope design are relatively easy to navigate. On the other hand, a steep slope roof (like an a-frame or mansard style) will slow the demolition and installation. Why? Roofing companies must employ particular safety measures (typically mandated by federal, state, or local ordinances and laws) to protect workers from accidents, including dangerous falls.

Season/Time Of Year And Weather Conditions

What people may not realize is that a roof can be installed year-round. Spring and summer are usually the busiest seasons for roofing. In the late fall and winter the weather can sometimes cause delays in scheduling but many roofing projects can be successfully completed during those months, as well.

Size/Square Footage Of Roof

The size and square footage of a home’s roof is an important factor in estimating a timeline for a roof replacement. Because of this, Rhino-Back Roofing takes detailed measurements during the initial roof inspection. Having precise measurements allows us to estimate the number of crew members we will need on the roof to complete the job in a timely manner. While it is possible for larger homes to take 2-3 days, an average sized home will only take one day to complete.

Structural Damage

During the initial inspection of your roof, we will inspect the attic space (if there is attic access). This ensures that we can see what is happening on a structural level under the roofing surface. At that time we will make plans to mitigate any issues we see. On the day of installation we will install any plywood that is needed so that there is a nailable surface for the shingles and so that everything is up to code.

5 Steps To Replacing A Roof Efficiently And Effectively

Step 1: Inspection Phase To Assess The 

Present Situation

Step 2: Secure Permits And Ensure Building Code Compliance

Step 3: Material, Dumpster, And Installation Equipment Delivery

Step 4: Day of install

For the majority of homes installation takes just one day. For larger projects it could take 2-3 days.

Step 5: Property Cleanup And Final Roof Inspection

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Hiring A Reputable Contractor To Replace A Roof

For homeowners in Simsbury, Connecticut, and surrounding areas, Rhino-Back Roofing provides unsurpassed roofing acumen. We know roofs. We understand the intricacies of roof replacement. Trust our knowledge and experience to guide you through the process safely and efficiently. To learn more about our roofing services or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.

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