For many homeowners, the two most important aspects of a roof replacement are the cost and the time it will take to finish the project. When it comes to estimating the timeline for a roofing project, there are several factors to consider, including:
1) The time of year – A roof replacement that is scheduled during the rainy season or when temperatures drop below freezing may be subject to a delayed start or be interrupted after the work begins. Of all the factors that can influence the duration of a roofing project, weather presents the greatest number of variables as rain, high winds, snow, and freezing temperatures can stop or postpone work indefinitely. On the other hand, the fastest roof replacements typically take place in mild weather and warm temperatures.
2) The square footage of the roof – Larger roofs equate directly to more work and more time to complete a project. Usually, a larger roof will have more structures that penetrate the roof deck that require flashing and sealing, which can add time to the project as well.
3) The complexity of the roof – Flat and low slope roofs are relatively simple to work on and materials can be kept close at hand for easy access. As the slope of the roof increases, the work becomes more challenging and tends to take longer to finish.
4) Roofing materials – Generally speaking, asphalt shingles are the fastest to install with additional time required for tile, metal, and slate. Any type of customization of the materials can also extend the time to completion.
5) The tear off – Unless the new roof is part of the construction of a new home, the installation will likely be preceded by a tear off of the old roofing materials. In most cases, this phase will take a day or two, but may be extended slightly if multiple layers are being removed or if there are complications in getting the old materials off of the roof and into disposal bins.
6) The need to do structural repairs after a leak in the existing roof – While some forms of roof damage are easy to assess, such as a falling branch that smashes through the roof deck, there are other issues where the extent of the damage may not be fully known until the old roof is torn off. These situations include mold growth, termite damage, and dry rot, all of which would have to be repaired before the new roof is installed.
Once the work starts, your roofing contractor will make every effort to execute a quality roof installation balanced with a timely finish. Even under the best conditions, however, there may be issues that come up that can extend the timeline to completion. Knowing what these issues are can help both in scheduling when the work will be done and to anticipate surprises that come up during the project.
