What to Expect During the Roof Replacement Process

Replacing your home’s roof is a major undertaking and a significant investment in your home’s value, safety, and curb appeal. If you’re new to this complex process, listen to our roofing expert explain what to expect during a roof replacement and answer all your questions!

As local roofer contractors with over two decades of experience, we understand everything about the process of roof replacement, from the big picture to the smallest details. But most homeowners will only have to replace a roof once or twice in their entire lifetime and understandably have plenty of questions and concerns.

What are the stages of a new roof?

We hear that question so much that we’ve created this handy guide. We’re walking you through the things to consider when replacing a roof, the replacement process, and all the FAQs we hear from our own clients. We hope it helps and we wish you good luck on your roofing journey!

Part 1: The Assessment

Something sparks you to make that first phone call to a roofing company, who will then schedule an on-site visit to assess your roof’s state. Roofing contractors look at the exterior to find and assess the severity of any structural issues, cracks, leaks, and other damage. Once they can clearly assess “what’s wrong,” they’ll ask you about your individual needs, roofing budget, and preferences. With both the roof’s state and your needs understood, roofers will provide you with an accurate estimate of your reroofing process costs. 

You should feel free to ask any questions you have during this phase. If you miss it or think of something later, a great roofing company will happily take your calls or emails and answer any further questions. 

Part 2: The Preparation

Your roofers will price out options and provide a detailed cost estimate for both your roofing materials and the labour required. Each cost should be outlined clearly - if a roofing company isn’t labelling costs transparently, consider it a red flag! Sometimes, roof replacement process insurance is available through your home insurance. So, if your home was damaged as a result of a bad storm or something other than normal wear-and-tear, you can sometimes have some or all of the costs covered by your provider. 

Once you’ve settled on a roofer company, it’s time to sign on the dotted line. Work with them to schedule the replacement and get ready to get started!

Prepping your Home Before a Roof Replacement

For the smoothest replacement possible, take some time to sort these out before your contractors arrive:

• Move outdoor furniture, potted plants, and other accessories away from the house and work area. Park your vehicles safely away from home and any potential damage from falling debris during the roof restoration process.

• Remove wall hangings from inside the home. These may fall off the walls and get damaged due to the vibrations from above.

• Cover your attic. If you have an attic, cover important belongings with sheets and other covers to avoid falling dust and other debris. 

• Remove satellites and antennae. If these are sitting directly on your roof, they’ll need to go (temporarily) so that workers can do their work unimpeded. 

• Prepare the family. Explain what will happen to family members and let children know what areas will be off-limits until the work concludes. Create a safe, quiet space for your pet or bring nervous pets to a family member’s, friend’s, or a pet daycare. 

• Tell your neighbours. While some extra noise and vibration is unavoidable and understandable, giving neighbours a heads-up ahead of time is a common courtesy that goes a long way. 

Part 3: Goodbye Old Roof

Before you can enjoy your new roof, we need to tear off the old one and build a solid new foundation.

What is the loudest part of roof replacement?

The roof removal is often the loudest part of the roof replacement steps. We work to strip away old shingles and roofing materials carefully, then inspect the underlying structure to repair or replace any damaged areas, including the wooden or plywood roof deck. Since we have to tear secured pieces, it can get a little noisy. 

How long does it take to remove roof shingles?

It depends on the size of your roof, but the initial removal is usually completed in 2 days or less. 

Part 4: Hello New Roof

Now, the fun part of step-by-step roofing - installing a brand new roof for you to enjoy! We’ll repair the roof deck (if necessary) and then get to work installing the underlayment. This provides waterproofing and works as an extra barrier to keep outside moisture outside your home to protect your interiors. 

With the underlayment completed, it’s time to install the roof of your choice. The shingles are carefully laid, aligned, and secured by an expert team. When we’re all d

How long does it take to tear off and replace a roof?

Between the tear-off and replacement process, most contractors will complete the work in 3-5 days. Of course, this timeline can shift based on the size of your home and the complexity of the roofing work required, but this should all be explained to you in detail when you receive the cost estimate. 

Part 5: Clean-up Time

Any professional roofing team will leave your property looking just as good as you left it - plus with a brand-spanking new roof! Debris will be removed, and a final inspection will be conducted.

Homeowners should join contractors on the final walkthrough so they can see the results for themselves, point out any concerns, and ask any questions they need. 

Part 6: The FAQ

Can you leave roofers alone?

Absolutely! Many clients work during the day while we’re completing our projects. This is completely a matter of personal preference, so do what makes you feel most comfortable. 

Is it OK to walk on a new roof?

Incorrectly walking on a roof can cause damage - whether it was installed yesterday or 10 years ago. Don’t walk on your roof unless you have the right shoes, protective gear, and understand the right way to do it. Otherwise, let a professional take care of it and keep your feet safely on the ground. 

What are the cons of roof replacement?

The pros far outweigh the cons of a roof replacement, but the cost and time investment are the biggest downsides. Still, replacing your roof can maintain and increase your home’s value, making it a worthwhile reason to spend the time and money to get it done right. 

Should I stay home during roof replacement work?

The decision is completely up to you. You can expect some extra noise and vibrations during certain steps of the process, but many clients choose to wear noise-cancelling headphones or head down a few floors to the basement. The further away you can get from the roof, the more the noise will soften. 

Sameday Roofing: What to Consider When Installing a New Roof

We hope we’ve helped shine some light on this complex process. It might seem intimidating, but all roof replacements follow the same step-by-step journey that ends with a fresh look and ample home protection against the elements for years and decades to come!

Our Hamilton roof replacement team will remove your old roof and expertly replace it. Let’s discuss how we can help and start a free roofing estimate - call (905) 544-4667 today.