What to Expect During a Roof Replacement: Day-by-Day Timeline and Preparation Guide

Getting a new roof is a significant home improvement project, and knowing what to expect helps you prepare and reduces stress. Here's the day-by-day breakdown of a typical residential roof replacement.

Before the Crew Arrives

1-2 weeks before: Your contractor should confirm the start date, material delivery date, and project timeline. Materials are typically delivered 1-3 days before work begins, either onto your driveway or directly onto the roof. The day before: Move cars out of the driveway and away from the house (falling debris can damage vehicles). Take down or protect any fragile items near the house (patio furniture, potted plants, decorations). Remove any wall-mounted items inside that might be knocked loose by hammering vibration. Cover items in the attic with tarps if possible. Inform neighbors about the upcoming noise. Arrange for pets to stay elsewhere or in an interior room away from the noise.

Day 1: Tear-Off and Preparation

Morning (7-8 AM start): The crew arrives and sets up - ladders, safety equipment, tarps around the perimeter to catch debris, and a dumpster for old materials. Tear-off begins: the crew strips all existing shingles, underlayment, and damaged decking down to the bare roof deck. This is the loudest, most disruptive phase. Expect heavy thumping, scraping, and debris falling.

Midday: With the deck exposed, the crew inspects for damage. Any soft, rotted, or broken decking boards are replaced ($50-$100 per sheet of OSB/plywood). This is when surprise costs can appear - decking damage isn't fully visible until the old roof is removed. The crew installs ice and water shield in valleys, at eaves, and around penetrations. Synthetic underlayment is rolled out across the entire deck.

Afternoon: Depending on house size, the crew may begin installing new shingles on day 1, starting from the bottom edge and working up. The goal is to get as much waterproofing coverage as possible before end of day in case of unexpected rain.

Day 2: Shingle Installation and Detail Work

Morning: Shingle installation continues. Field shingles go up quickly - an experienced crew can install 15-25 squares per day. The rhythm of nail guns becomes the dominant sound. Afternoon: Detail work begins - flashing around chimneys, vents, skylights, and wall junctions. Ridge cap installation along the peak. Pipe boot and vent collar installation. This detail work is where quality shows - proper flashing technique prevents the majority of future leaks.

Day 3 (If Needed): Completion and Cleanup

On complex or large roofs, a third day covers remaining shingle work, final flashing details, and cleanup. Cleanup: A thorough cleanup should include all debris removed from roof, yard, and gutters. Magnetic nail sweeps of the yard, driveway, and surrounding area (critical - roofing nails in tires are common complaints). Removal of tarps and protection materials. Final debris loaded into dumpster for removal.

Post-Installation

Walkthrough: Your contractor should do a final walkthrough with you, pointing out the completed work, explaining any issues encountered, and confirming cleanup is complete. Inspection: The contractor schedules the building inspection (required in most jurisdictions). You don't typically need to be present, but you'll receive a copy of the passed inspection. Warranty registration: The contractor should register your warranty with the manufacturer. Confirm this is done and keep the documentation.

Living Through the Replacement

The noise is significant - plan to be away from home during tear-off (day 1 morning) if possible. Vibrations can knock items off walls - remove pictures and fragile items from upper-floor walls. Dust will enter the attic - cover stored items with tarps. The work area will be messy - keep children and pets away from the perimeter. Wi-Fi and satellite TV may be temporarily disrupted if equipment is on the roof. Normal life resumes as soon as the crew finishes - typically by late afternoon on the final day.