When you’re looking into getting a new roof, the first thing you want to know is how long it will take. And that makes good sense. Roof replacement can be loud and inconvenient, and you probably want to know how long you need to stay out of the house, or at least how long you can expect people to be walking around on your roof. Unfortunately, every roofing project is different, which means there’s no exact amount of time we can say it will take. What we can tell you is:
The Smaller the Roof, the Quicker the Job
If you live in a small, residential home with a moderately pitched roof, it’s possible your roof replacement could be done in one day. This is, of course, barring any weather complications and assuming that materials are dropped off before the crew gets there.
When it comes to roofing a home, a roofing crew first has to take off your existing roof, make sure there’s no damage on the sub-roofing, and then put on the new shingles. And if there is damage to the sub-roofing, that means extra work, additional materials, and more time to completion. So though it’s possible to re-roof a home in a single day, know that complications can arise that will extend the amount of work that must be put in.
Steep Roofs Take Longer
While we love classic style homes like Cape Cods, Colonials, and A-frames, the steep pitch, and extreme height on many of them means they can be a bit more complicated to replace. The steeper your roof, and the higher up it is, the longer you can expect the job to take. Since we put a priority on the safety of our workers, and because we want to make sure you end up with the best roof possible, it’s good to know that if you have a home with a steep, tall roof, plan for your replacement to take two days to a week. This is in part due to the fact that roofers will need more materials, but also because workers will have to move a bit more slowly to remain safe and often require a bit more equipment to maintain their safety.
Older Roofs are More Complicated to Replace
The older your roof, the longer it will take to replace. This is why it’s important to perform regular maintenance on your roof, and replace it before you start to see leaks. Too many people just assume their roof is in fine shape until there’s an obvious problem, and this can lead to a much longer, and more expensive roof replacement job once you get around to it.
If you replace your roof after you start to see leaks appear in your home, there’s a good chance that there’s water damage within the sub-roofing, and possibly into your home’s attic. And a new roof can’t go on top of damaged supports. When you wait too long to replace your roof, you can expect a longer roof replacement time as roofers shore up supports, sub-roofing, and then finally put on the new roof. This is why it’s always a good idea to have regular roof inspections and have your roof replaced as soon as it shows signs of serious wear and tear.
There’s No Predicting the Weather
Finally, when it comes to giving you an estimate on how long it will take to install your roof, you have to remember there’s no predicting the weather. Roofing is best done in warm, dry, conditions, but we all know that West Michigan weather doesn’t always cooperate. While roofing crews will do their best to work through inclement weather to finish your roof as quickly as possible, they can only do it so long as they’re safe. If it becomes too dangerous for the crew to remain on top of your roof, they’ll have to stop until the weather clears up.
Though poor weather can mean your roofing job will take longer, don’t worry about the security of your new roof. Roofing crews will always make sure your roof is covered in plenty of tarps, and well-secured against wind and water while they wait for warmer weather.
In the end, the time it will take to install your new roof depends on a variety of factors: the size of your home, the pitch of your roof, what shape your old roof was in, and what the weather will be like. Any quality, experienced roofing company will work to make sure you get the absolute best roof, in the shortest time frame, but there are some factors you just can’t account for.
If you’re looking for an accurate estimate on how long it will take to replace your roof, don’t hesitate to reach out to Werner Roofing. A trusted, local West Michigan roofer, we’ve been doing business in the area for years, and are here to help you get the best roof replacement, in the shortest amount of time. Give our office a call at 616-844-5382, or contact us online today for a free roofing estimate of both cost and time.
