Wednesday, May 27, 2020

How Long Does It Take to Install a Shingle Roof?

Usually, right after a homeowner finds out his or her roof needs to be replaced, he or she eagerly asks, “How long is it going to take to install my new roof?” I think that most times the homeowner is expecting me to say 2, maybe 3 days. Time and time again, my answer is: “One day.” This unexpected answer is often met with a surprised expression and a curious, “Really?”

Right now, you might be thinking that if a roof is installed in just one day, the quality of the work must be sub-par. That’s not the case. I would be more concerned if the job was taking longer than a day, possibly two. Let me explain.

We have a seasoned roofing crew, meaning all the workers know their jobs and do them well. When we get to the job site, the workers who protect the home’s landscaping get started immediately. Others who prepare the roof for tear-off start to do their job. From start to finish, everyone knows what to do and when to do it. In any profession, this is going to lead to a good workflow. That is what allows us to get a job done in a day.

Now, on the other side of things, why would a job that could take a day to complete take 2 or even 3 days? Having a smaller roofing crew, say 3-6 people, can cause a roof installation to take longer than a day. Sometimes the problem with having a smaller crew is that the workload is increased. Now, it’s still not a bad thing, but if just one person on that crew gets sick or misses a day, the workload increases even more from there. Another reason that a job could take longer is that the roofing crew is inexperienced or unskilled. Hopefully, that is not the case.

Working on roofs, siding, and gutters is what we do, and we want to get it done right the first time.

Now, not all roofing projects can be completed in just one day. For us, there are a few factors that might increase the amount of time that it takes to install a roof. These include:

• The size of the roof
• The pitch, or steepness of the roof
• The number of layers currently on the roof
• Building codes such as re-decking or wood replacement

Before any work is started on your property, we’ll walk around your house or place of business and discuss the project—possible difficulties, potential problem areas, and expectations for completion time. This way you can plan accordingly. I always say making a mess is what we do best. Lol—don’t worry. We clean up equally well.

We hope this has brought some clarity on the length of time and factors surrounding a roof installation. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help.