Reroofing a house is a major home improvement project that requires careful planning and consideration. The duration of a reroofing project can vary significantly depending on factors like the roof size, roof type, potential repairs needed, weather and temperature, choice of roofing materials, the roofing contractor you hire, and dealing with any unexpected issues during the reroofing process.
By understanding what impacts the timeline of a house reroofing project and setting realistic expectations, homeowners can be better prepared to take on a reroofing project. When armed with accurate information on how long the project may take, homeowners can also effectively budget and plan around the reroofing to minimize disruption to daily life.
Preparing for Reroofing
Before starting a reroofing project, the existing roof needs to be thoroughly examined by a professional roofer to determine what condition it’s in. An inspection will identify what materials need replacement and what sections require repairs or reinforcement. This allows you to determine the appropriate materials and system for the new roof.
It’s important homeowners obtain all necessary permits before work begins. This includes planning permissions if you intend to alter the roof design at all. Permits protect homeowners while ensuring the new roof meets all building codes and regulations.
The roofing materials selected, such as shingles, tiles, slates or metal roof systems, will impact your budget as well as the installation timeline. Be sure to select durable materials suitable for the UK climate that come with adequate manufacturer warranties. It’s recommended consulting with your chosen roofing company on the best options.
Hiring a Reputable Roofing Company
The roofing contractor you hire will ultimately determine much of the actual timeframe for your house reroofing project. Reputable roofing companies with extensive experience will have streamlined systems to deliver quality work efficiently. Here are some tips on finding the right contractor:
- Verify credentials – Choose an established local company that is registered, accredited, insured and comes with strong testimonials and reviews.
- Get multiple quotes – Don’t just go with the first bid. Get 3-5 quotes to compare.
- Check references – Ask contractors for local references and inspect some of their previous work.
- Establish expected timeframes – Have them provide a written plan with projected start date, milestones and estimated completion date.
Take the time upfront vetting roofers thoroughly before signing a contract. This will pay off with a smoother reroofing process and give you confidence they will deliver within the agreed upon timeline.
Project Planning and Scheduling
Reputable roofing companies will work with homeowners to develop a comprehensive project plan that covers every stage of the reroofing process. Having a detailed plan enables setting clear expectations around how long each stage of the project will take.
Key elements the plan should specify:
- Methodology for removing old roof materials.
- Process for installing the new roof system. Type, number of layers etc.
- Approach to inspections and quality checks at milestone stages.
The plan should also map out a tentative schedule from start to finish. Build schedule contingency for potential delays due to inclement weather or unexpected repairs.
Ideal weather conditions can greatly expedite roof installation, allowing successive layers to be installed without issue. Schedule flexibility enables shifting timelines to take advantage of good weather forecasts.
Removing the Old Roof
Removing all old roofing materials is an important first step during reroofing. This includes:
- Stripping off all old shingles or tiles.
- Taking out existing plywood or roof boards.
- Safely disposing of all debris (most roofers include disposal services).
Manual removal using pry bars and scrapers allows more control but takes longer. Mechanical removal is faster but riskier around flashing and edging if not done carefully. Many roofers use a combination approach depending on areas.
Take time during removal to have roofing structures, frames and insulation assessed for damage. It also provides the opportunity to identify and remedy any issues with previous installation that could compromise the new roof if not addressed.
Installing the New Roof System
Installation is the most time intensive and labor-heavy stage of reroofing. It involves carefully laying successive layers that make up the new system.
Typical order of install:
- Roof Decking – Plywood, OSB (oriented strand board) or boards to form a secure deck over rafters/trusses.
- Underlayment Layer – Specialty water resistant barrier membrane or other protective underlayment.
- Flashing – Aluminum, galvanized steel or other metal installed around joints, valleys and protrusions through roof to prevent leaks/damage. Must be done properly to avoid issues down the line.
- Ventilation – Ridge vents, soffit vents or other ventilation systems installed improved air flow and prevent moisture/heat buildup.
- Final Layer – Top layer of shingles, tiles, metal roofing or other external roofing material making up the finished roof surface. Installed per manufacturer specifications.
At each stage inspections should be carried out to confirm work complies with the plan before moving ahead. This helps avoid problems being buried and causing defects later on.
Quality Checks and Inspections
Reputable roofers follow manufacturer installation guidelines carefully and perform thorough internal inspections throughout the reroofing process. Many local building codes also require that registered roof inspectors sign off at certain stages of roof replacements.
Typical inspections include:
- Deck inspection – Ensure decking/sheathing correctly installed before underlayment & proper fastening spacing.
- Dry-in inspection – Confirm waterproof underlayment, drip edge flashing, vents and other flashings done right prior to shingles.
- Final inspection – Verify shingles properly installed, nails positioned correctly, neater ridge lines and rows, no curling shingles, and proper ventilation. Checks entire system functioning together. Reviews number of nails used on site against building permit.
Allow time for potential fixes or waiting on re-inspections should install issues arise. Thorough inspections ensure your roof not only looks good cosmetically but functions optimally protecting your home without leaks for decades.
What Impacts Reroofing Timelines?
Many variables influence the total time it takes to reroof a house. The main factors include:
Roof Size and Complexity
Larger roofs naturally take longer to strip and reroof. Complex roofs with greater angles, intricate flashing and detailing like dormers also add time. Simple, straightforward smaller roofs can be completed much quicker.
Weather and Temperature
Ideally roofs should be installed between April – October in warmer conditions in the UK. Very high or low temperatures make installing shingles more difficult and can damage certain materials. Rain storms, high winds or icy patches force crews off the roof for safety and compromise install quality. Mild, dry weather allows roofers to make the fastest progress.
Flexibility to shift timelines and focus on favorable weather windows helps shorten overall project duration when possible. But sustained bad weather inevitably lengthens projects.
Choice of Roofing Materials
Concrete and clay tiles take the longest to install followed by natural slate shingles and cedar shake. Asphalt and synthetic polymer shingles are quickest for contractors to install when weather permits.
Unforeseen Issues
No matter how detailed the project plan, unknown roof damage, asbestos removal, tricky repairs around antennas, and other unanticipated issues can also slow projects down. Adequate contingency should be built into schedule estimates to accommodate some delays when they arise. That 20 percent buffer could make the difference between finishing efficiently and losing time to a flurry of cascading issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the average reroofing project take?
Most residential reroofing projects take between 3-7 business days total once the work begins. However, that does not account for planning beforehand, inspections stopping work, weather delays, prep and cleanup time etc. It’s best not to look just at install time but total time from project start to finish.
Can reroofing be done in winter?
Winter installs are possible but come with more risk of delays and issues. Shingles can crack and not adhere properly when installed at temperatures below 50 F. Some roofing product warranties explicitly prohibit winter installation. It’s best to avoid reroofing between November-March unless temporary weather protection and heating is used.
What factors can cause delays in the reroofing process?
The main factors that delay roof replacement projects include:
- Sustained periods of heavy rain, wind or extreme heat/cold forcing crews to repeatedly stop work
- Discovery of unanticipated repairs needed to roof structure or materials during demo adding days
- Failures at inspection requiring fixes and re-inspection before continuing
- Backordered roofing materials delaying certain layers
- Contractor scheduling backlog after unexpected demand surge
Are there any ways to expedite the reroofing timeline?
Homeowners can reduce total project duration by:
- Having all materials ordered & onsite upfront so no shortage delays
- Staying flexible on start date to begin on a forecasted dry week
- Having a secondary crew that can pressure wash and prep for next day installation
- Paying extra fee for priority scheduling when contractor is backlogged
- Having a dumpster rented onsite for faster debris removal
How can homeowners prepare for a smoother reroofing process?
To help projects go quickly and minimize delays homeowners should:
- Clear access paths, trim back trees/branches and remove solar panels or satellites dishes if possible
- Have electrician install any new roof penetrations ahead of time
- Obtain all necessary permits beforehand
- Avoid major changes mid-project that alter agreed upon scope/materials
- Respond promptly to requests or inspectors findings
- Make initial down payment so materials can be quickly ordered
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