A full roof replacement is one of the biggest, loudest, and most intimidating home improvement projects you can undertake. The idea of a huge crew tearing the lid off your house is stressful. How long will it take? How much of a mess will it make?
Many homeowners are shocked when we tell them our average timeline. For a standard sized home, our crew is typically in and out in two to three days. No, that's not a typo. How is this possible? It's not magic. It's a combination of a highly-skilled, professional crew, meticulous planning, and a work ethic that's second to none. We don't subcontract our work out to random crews; we have a dedicated team that has been working together for years. They are fast, efficient, and take incredible pride in their work.
So, what does that 3-day whirlwind actually look like for you, the homeowner? Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the Affordable Roofing Systems process.
Day 1: The "Tear-Off" and Preparation
The Crew Arrives: This is the big "show" day. The crew will arrive early and on time. We'll greet you and confirm the plan. We'll protect your landscaping, windows, and siding with tarps to catch debris. The dumpster will be carefully placed, and the materials (shingles, underlayment, etc.) will be staged.
The Tear-Off: This is the loudest and messiest part of the job, but we handle it with speed. The crew will systematically remove all your old roofing material. If you have an old wood shake roof or multiple layers of old shingles, this creates a lot of debris. Our team works in unison to get it all off the roof and into the dumpster as quickly as possible. This is also when we find any "surprises."
Inspection and Dry Rot Repair: Once the old roof is off, we inspect the "decking"-the raw plywood or OSB that forms the base of your roof. This is when we'll find any hidden damage, like dry rot. This is a major fear for homeowners, and many less-reputable roofers use it as an opportunity to inflate the bill. We don't. We'll show you exactly what we found, explain the problem clearly, and give you a fair, transparent price to replace the damaged wood. Our goal is to ensure the "foundation" of your roof is solid before a single new shingle goes on.
The Cleanup: At the end of every single day, we do a full and thorough cleanup. We don't just leave the mess for the end of the job. This is about safety for your family (no stray nails) and respect for your home. By the time we leave for the day, your roof is "dried in" (waterproofed with underlayment) and your yard is secure.
Day 2: The Installation
Laying the Foundation: With the decking repaired and clean, Day 2 is all about the build-up. We start by installing the new underlayment (a critical water barrier), drip edge, and flashing. Flashing is the metal work around chimneys, vents, and valleys it's one of the most common places for leaks, and we are meticulous about getting it right.
Shingles On! This is when your new roof starts to take shape. The crew works with incredible speed and precision, laying and nailing the new shingles. This isn't just manual labor; it's a craft. We also handle all the details, like installing new attic vents or a new skylight.
Cleanup (Again): You guessed it. Another full cleanup. We sweep the roof, clean the gutters, and use magnetic rollers to pick up any stray nails from your lawn and driveway.
Day 3: Final Details & The Big Reveal
Ridges, Vents, and Final Touches: The last day is for finishing touches. We install the ridge cap (the shingles that cover the peak of the roof), seal all penetrations, and paint any new vents to match your roof color. We do a final walk-around on the roof, checking every detail.
The Final Cleanup & Inspection: This is our final cleanup. The dumpster is loaded and removed. We do one last, exhaustive sweep of your entire property. We'll then walk you around the property, show you the finished work, and make sure you are 100% happy. The only thing left to do is wait for the city inspector.
And that's it. While every house is different and every situation is unique, on average, In the time it takes for a long weekend, your home has a beautiful, durable, and professionally installed new roof, and your life is back to normal.