Depending on the materials and quality of construction, your roof can last between 20 and 50 years. However, extreme weather can put a dent in this timeline, and some homeowners may find themselves needing roof replacement sooner.
Whether your roof replacement is planned or in response to unexpected damage, it’s useful to know what to expect. How long does it take to replace a roof? What factors can impact that timeline?
As a leading roofer in Montgomery and surrounding areas, we have the expertise to help you prepare for roof replacement.
Read on to learn more about what to expect when replacing a roof, including how long it will take.
How Long Does It Take to Replace a Roof on Average?
The truth is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to roof replacement timelines. That said, we can share a useful range of timelines that can help you to prepare for your roof replacement. We tend to break this timeline down into three categories including initial steps, scheduling, and installation.
Initial Steps
The first thing you will need to do is start requesting estimates. This is an important part of finding the best roof replacement services near you.
If you don’t already have a reliable roofer or you don’t want to use the same roofer as you did in the past, you will want to request multiple estimates. This will help you to find a roofer in your budget and get a sense of fair pricing in your region. Requesting and comparing multiple estimates can take anywhere between a few days and a few weeks, depending on how many roofers you consult and how long they take to respond.
Scheduling Your Service
Once you’ve decided on a roofer, it’s time to schedule your services. The process of scheduling should be quick, but it will still impact your overall timeline.
Chances are, you will need to schedule your roof replacement at least a few days in advance. Many roofing companies are unable to provide same-day service due to high appointment volume. However, it’s often possible to secure an appointment within a few days of scheduling. If your roof replacement is an emergency, be sure to explain that when scheduling to get priority service.
Installation
Installation involves several steps that can take anywhere from one day to several. Steps include:
- preparing your property by covering things like windows and landscaping and securing an on-site dumpster
- removing and disposing of old shingles and other materials
- inspecting the condition of structural elements to ensure that they’re sturdy enough for installation as-is
- preparing the roof by installing things like ice and water protection and felt or tar paper
- installing shingles and other materials
- cleaning up all materials and debris to leave your property in great condition
We often recommend letting neighbors know about your upcoming roof installation, as it can be disruptive to the immediate area. You may also want to make a plan for the day(s) when installation will occur, especially if you work from home. While our roofers work hard to protect properties from damage, the process is on the noisy side and can make areas of your yard and top floor unsafe for pets or children.
Factors That Can Impact Your Roof Replacement Timeline
Why is it so difficult to give all homeowners the same answer regarding the time it takes to replace a roof? There are a variety of factors that can impact your timeline. These range from the materials you select to the weather on the day(s) of your scheduled installation.
Roofing Materials
Roofing materials play a big role in the timeline of roof replacement. Illinois homeowners most commonly use asphalt shingles, which are high in quality and easy to install. Chances are, a roof replacement involving asphalt shingles will take one day.
Other materials can be harder to work with and take longer to install. Let’s look at a quick breakdown of typical installation times based on roofing materials:
- metal: one to three days
- cedar shake: three to four days
- slate tile: six to seven days
- concrete tile: eight to nine days
The good news is that some of the materials that take longer to install have a longer life expectancy than asphalt. That said, it’s important to maintain realistic expectations when you’re installing something other than asphalt shingles.
The Size of Your Roof
When talking about the typical roof replacement timeline, we’re also talking about typical homes. Most single-family homes are somewhere around 3,000 square feet, which is what our timeline estimates above reflect.
If your home is much larger than 3,000 square feet, you can expect roof replacement to take much longer. Conversely, if your home is smaller than 3,000 square feet, it will take less time to remove old materials and install new ones. Roof replacements for small homes may take less than a single workday to complete.
Roof Accessibility
The accessibility of your roof can have a small impact on the amount of time it takes to replace it. If nothing is blocking your roofers from accessing your roof, bringing old materials to a conveniently located dumpster, and hauling up new materials, you don’t need to expect any delays related to accessibility. Roof accessibility is often impacted by:
- garden spaces surrounding the home
- lack of paving surrounding the roof access point
- fences that border your home
- trees with branches growing over your roof
Some homeowners may need to schedule additional services before scheduling roof replacement. For example, you may need to have low-hanging branches trimmed before roofers can come in and do their job.
Weather Delays
Unfortunately, we can’t always predict the weather when scheduling a roof replacement. Conditions like rain, hail, lightning, and snow can delay roof replacement for the safety of the roofers and your property.
How likely is this to occur? It depends on the season. For example, we tend to get the most rainfall in the Montgomery area in June, while winters often bring snowfall and freezing temperatures. That said, weather delays can impact your roof replacement schedule all year round.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Roof?
The timeline likely isn’t the only thing on your mind as you prepare to request a new roof installation. The national average cost of roof replacement is around $8,000 but costs can increase substantially for some homeowners.
Budgeting is an important part of completing the renovations your property needs to maintain its value and structural integrity. Let’s take a look at the factors that can impact the cost of roof replacement.
Materials
The type and amount of materials you need for your roof replacement will play the biggest role in determining cost. As expected, the larger your roof is, the more materials will be needed and the more your roof replacement will cost. However, the type of materials can make a major impact, too.
For example, slate shingles are one of the most expensive roofing materials on the market. Slate shingles can cost as much as ten times more than asphalt. Make sure that your estimate reflects the type of shingles you want.
Labor
The cost of roof replacement will also cover the cost of labor. This is where you might see the biggest variety from one roofer to another. That said, the lowest estimate isn’t always the best estimate.
High-quality labor is a must when you’re hiring a roofer. Before you make your final decision, find out about things like workmanship warranties that will cover the cost of any damage caused by installation errors. A great warranty is worth a slight increase in cost because it can save you money down the line.
You should also verify that your roofer has insurance. When a contractor is offering an estimate that is far lower than their competition, it often means that they’re paying fewer upfront costs to run their business, and that can include skipping out on insurance. Hiring a roofer without insurance is risky because any liabilities (such as property damage or worker injuries) will fall back on you.
Need to Replace a Roof in Montgomery? Give Us a Call
How long does it take to replace a roof? As you can see, it will depend on a variety of factors, many of which an expert roofer can account for from the start. To get a better sense of how long your roof replacement will take, it’s time to start talking to roofers near you.
If you’re looking for a roofer in Montgomery, Aurora, Plainfield, and surrounding areas, consider Amenity Roofing. We’re proud to offer a variety of roofing and siding services at a price that homeowners love. To get started, find your nearest Amenity Roofing location and contact us to schedule your estimate.
