How Long Does It Take to Replace a Roof? 6 Things to Consider

6 minutes Read

Level Edge Construction

Even though most professional roofing companies do their best to ensure minimal disruption during roofing work, they can still interrupt your day! Roof replacements are noisy, and your property will have trucks parked nearby with contractors working on and around your roof.

If you know a roof replacement is in your future, you’re probably wondering, “How long does it take to replace a roof?“

We understand that needing to set aside weeks for a project like this would be incredibly inconvenient for your life. Thankfully, most roof replacements are completed in just 1-2 days! However, there are a few factors that can extend the length of the roof replacement project. Let’s take a look at the 6 most common considerations below:

• Material choice
• Structural issues
• Weather
• Size & scope
• Professional labor
• Property accessibility

So, How Long Does it Take to Replace a Roof? 6 Factors:

1) Roofing Material

Many homeowners don’t realize that there are different roofing materials to choose from. The most popular materials include:

• Asphalt shingles
• Metal roofing
• Cedar shakes
• Clay tiles
• Slate tiles

Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material in the country. They’re affordable, lightweight, and easy to install. If the other cards on this list fall in your favor, you can expect an asphalt shingle roof replacement to take 1 day.

Metal roofing is growing in popularity for residential properties. It’s heavier than asphalt shingles and requires more specialized knowledge. Plenty of metal roof replacements still get completed in 1-2 days, but this material may take up to 5 days.

Cedar shakes are a type of wooden shingle that can be used for roofing or siding. They also require a specialized installation that can take up to 4 days.

Clay and slate tiles are the longest-lasting roofing materials on the market. Their durability, in part, comes from how heavy these materials are. Due to the sheer weight of these materials and the specific techniques required to install them, a full replacement can take up to 7-10 days.

2) Rotten Roof Decking

There’s more to your roof than just the shingles (or the material of your choice). A complete roofing system consists of flashing, roofing felt (ice and water shield), and plywood roof decking.

It’s vital for the plywood roof deck to be in sound condition. If it starts to develop rot, it can quickly cause urgent structural issues for your home.

Oftentimes, roofing contractors can’t tell if the roof deck is rotten until they tear off the other materials during a roof replacement. If your contractors notice rotten roof decking, it’s essential for them to replace it right away. This can add an extra day to your timeline.

3) The Weather & Season

While professional roofers are very physically capable of tough labor, it’s simply dangerous to perform roofing work in extreme weather conditions like:

• Rain 💧
• Snow ❄️
• Lightning ⚡
• Extreme heat 🔥
• High winds 💨
• Hail 🌨️

Plus, if all the roofing materials are stripped off your roof and it starts to rain, you don’t want to risk allowing water to enter your home while your roof is vulnerable. Your contractors will need to secure a tarp over your roof and resume work when it’s safe to do so.

If inclement weather is in the forecast or it arises during the roof replacement, your contracting team will need to pause the service until the weather is clear. This can be a couple of hours or a few days, depending on the luck of the forecast.

Additionally, the season of the year can impact how long a roof replacement takes. When the sun sets earlier in winter months, roofers can’t work as long. But since the sun stays up further into the evening during the summer months, the roofers can work longer hours to complete the job faster. This is one of the reasons roofing projects are the most popular in the summertime.

4) Size and Steepness of Your Roof

It may seem redundant, but it’s still worth mentioning— if you have a bigger roof, it will take longer to replace. If your roof is under 3,000 square feet, you’re usually looking at a 1-2 day timeframe. But if it’s larger than 3,000 sq. ft., the replacement may take closer to 3-4 days. This is a common occurrence on very large commercial roofs.

The steepness or “slope” of your roof also plays a part in your roof replacement timeline. The steeper the roof, the more dangerous it is to work on. Your roofing contractor will need to take extra time working on the steep portions of your roof, which can add another day of work time.

5) Professional Installation vs. Neighborhood Handyman

We know it can be tempting to enlist your local “Chuck in a truck” to take on a roof replacement. However, hiring a handy neighbor will definitely mean a longer roof replacement timeframe. It would take one person quite a long time to tear off and re-roof an entire roof.

Plus, a local handyman likely doesn’t have the proper licensure and insurance that a professional roofing company does. The best decision is to always go with a professional roofing company, as they’ll be able to offer warranties, secure permits, and finish the project quicker thanks to large, well-trained crews.

6) Accessibility of Your Property

The roofing contractors working on your roof will need to walk around your property, gather materials from their trucks, and climb up and down your roof many times. The clearer and less obstructed the path to their truck and your roof, the faster they can work.

Some accessibility concerns can slow down the contractors, including:

• Fences
• Rows of bushes or other landscaping around the edge of your home
• No paved pathways leading to your yard

It’s very common for homes to have landscaping and fences, so don’t worry too much about these details. Just keep in mind that it may add a little extra time to the project.

Call Level Edge for a Thorough, Expert Roof Replacement

There you have it! Here at Level Edge Roofing, most of our roof replacements are finished in 1-2 days. If one of the factors on this list is at play, we’ll thoroughly communicate about our timeline and what you can expect. You’ll never be left in the dark!

Our fully in-house team of roofers specializes in asphalt shingle and metal roof replacements for residential homes. Give us a call today to schedule a free estimate if you live in Minnesota or Wisconsin!

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Level Edge Construction