What to Expect During a Roof Replacement: A Day-by-Day Timeline

You just signed the contract for a new roof. Crew arrives Monday morning.

What actually happens? How loud is it? Can you work from home? Where do you park?

Here's what 1,800 Richmond homeowners experienced during their roof replacements last year.

Before the Crew Arrives

2-3 Days Before

Materials delivered (for most projects).

A flatbed truck drops bundles of shingles, rolls of underlayment, and supplies in your driveway.

Where they go:

Some bundles lifted to roof (if accessible)
Rest stacked in driveway or near house
Dumpster delivered and placed

Driveway space: You'll lose use of part of your driveway for 3-5 days.

HOA notification: We inform neighbors and HOA (if applicable) about upcoming work, noise, and dumpster.

Day Before

Final confirmation call from contractor:

Crew arrival time (usually 7-8 AM)
Weather check (reschedule if rain forecast)
Last-minute questions

Your prep:

Move cars out of driveway and away from house
Move patio furniture, grills, planters away from house perimeter
Take down any fragile decorations from walls inside (vibration can knock things loose)
Inform neighbors about upcoming noise
Close all windows

Pets: Plan to keep inside or board them. Crews will be accessing all sides of house.

Kids: Explain construction happening, stress safety (no going near work area).

Day 1: Tear-Off

7:00-8:00 AM: Crew Arrival

Truck pulls up. 4-6 workers start unloading equipment.

Equipment:

Extension ladders
Nail guns and air compressors
Safety harnesses and ropes
Tarps and plywood (to protect landscaping and AC unit)
Magnetic rollers (for nail cleanup)

Noise level: Moderate (truck noise, equipment setup, voices).

Your house: Safe to be inside. Expect doorbell or knock as crew introduces themselves.

8:00 AM-12:00 PM: Tear-Off

This is the loudest phase.

What's happening:

Crew removes old shingles, starting at ridge
Shingles scraped off and thrown into dumpster
Old underlayment removed
Old flashing pulled up
Nails removed or pounded flat

Noise: LOUD. Scraping, banging, impacts from shingles hitting dumpster.

Vibration: Moderate to heavy. Pictures may shift on walls. Dishes in cabinets rattle.

Debris: Shingles slide down roof, into dumpster or onto tarps. Dust and small debris inevitable.

Can you work from home? If you're on Zoom calls, reschedule. Too loud. If you can work with headphones, maybe.

Safety: Don't go outside near the house. Falling debris is dangerous.

Pets: Keep inside, away from windows. Noise will stress them.

12:00-1:00 PM: Lunch Break

Crew eats lunch (usually in their trucks or off-site).

Noise stops. Temporary quiet.

Good time to: Check in with crew leader, use bathroom without embarrassment, move around your house.

1:00-5:00 PM: Finish Tear-Off, Deck Inspection

Tear-off continues if not complete by lunch.

Deck inspection:

Crew walks entire roof deck looking for rotted or damaged plywood
Soft spots, water damage, failing decking noted
Photos taken (sent to you)

If decking issues found:

Crew informs you (or calls if you're not home)
Provides estimate for decking replacement
Waits for approval before proceeding
If you approve, decking replaced same day

Decking replacement cost: $75-125 per 4x8 sheet installed (typical: 2-8 sheets on Richmond homes with storm or age-related damage).

5:00-5:30 PM: Temporary Protection

If roof won't be completed today (decking issues, large/complex roof, weather), crew tarps exposed areas.

Tarping: Heavy-duty plastic secured over any open decking. Protects from overnight rain.

Cleanup: Crew does initial cleanup sweep, picks up large debris, rolls for nails.

Your yard: May still have some debris. Full cleanup happens at project end.

Day 2: Installation

7:00-8:00 AM: Crew Returns

Usually same crew. They know where they left off.

Coffee and small talk with homeowners who come out to say hi. We appreciate it but don't feel obligated.

8:00 AM-12:00 PM: Underlayment and Prep

Ice and water shield installed at eaves, valleys, around chimneys.

Self-adhering waterproof membrane. Critical for leak prevention.

Felt or synthetic underlayment rolled out over rest of deck.

Provides secondary water barrier under shingles.

Drip edge installed at eaves and rakes.

Metal edging that directs water into gutters.

Valley preparation (if your roof has valleys).

Metal valley liners or weaved shingle valleys.

Noise: Moderate. Nail guns, rolling, cutting. Not as loud as tear-off.

Can you work from home? More feasible than Day 1. Still noisy but tolerable with headphones.

12:00-1:00 PM: Lunch

Crew breaks.

1:00-5:00 PM: Shingle Installation

Starting course at eaves (starter shingles).

Ensures first row of shingles has proper seal and wind resistance.

Field shingles installed row by row, bottom to top.

Each row overlaps the previous. Creates waterproof system.

Around penetrations:

Vents: Flashed and sealed
Chimneys: Counter-flashing and stepped flashing
Skylights: Flashing kits specific to brand
Plumbing stacks: Boot flashings

Progress: Most Richmond roofs (simple gables, 1,800-2,200 sq ft) are 60-80% shingled by end of Day 2.

Noise: Constant nail gun. TAP-TAP-TAP-TAP every 3-5 seconds.

Working from home? Zoom calls still tough. Focus work is doable for some people, impossible for others.

Day 3: Completion (If Needed)

Many Richmond roofs finish in 2 days. Complex roofs (steep pitch, dormers, multiple stories) take 3 days.

8:00 AM-12:00 PM: Finish Shingles

Remaining field shingles completed.

Ridge cap installation:

Special shingles along roof peak
Mechanically attached (for wind resistance)
Ridge vent integration (if you have ridge vents)

Final flashing details completed.

12:00-3:00 PM: Final Details and Cleanup

Final walkthrough:

Crew leader inspects every section
Checks flashing, seals, exposed nails
Verifies no missing shingles or gaps

Cleanup:

Magnetic roller over entire property (picks up nails)
Hand-pick debris from landscaping
Sweep driveway and walkways
Blow off porch and siding

Dumpster loaded and hauled away (usually within 24 hours).

Materials removed: Leftover bundles, tools, tarps, everything.

3:00-4:00 PM: Final Inspection with Homeowner

Crew leader walks you around property:

Shows completed roof (from ground)
Points out new flashing, ridge vent, any special details
Explains warranty
Answers questions

You check:

Gutters clear of debris
Landscaping intact (we repair any accidental damage)
Cleanup quality
Any concerns

Final payment typically due at this time (if not on financing).

Permit final inspection scheduled (if required by county).

What You Experience Inside Your Home

Noise

Day 1 (tear-off): 8/10 on noise scale. Loud scraping, banging, shingles hitting dumpster.

Day 2-3 (installation): 6/10. Constant nail gun tapping. Less banging than tear-off.

Duration: 7 AM to 5 PM (9-10 hours). Lunch break provides 1-hour quiet.

Loudest rooms: Upstairs, directly under roof. Main floor less noisy. Basement minimal.

Recommendations:

Work in basement or main floor if possible
Use noise-canceling headphones
Schedule important calls for lunch hour or after 5 PM
Consider working elsewhere Day 1

Vibration

What you feel: Shaking in walls and floors as crews walk on roof and pound nails.

Effects:

Pictures may shift or fall (secure beforehand)
Items on shelves can vibrate off
Dishes in cabinets rattle
Hanging light fixtures sway slightly

Structural concern? No. This is normal and causes no damage to your home.

Dust

Where it comes from:

Tear-off creates airborne particles
Settling through tiny gaps in attic floor
Dirt and granules from old shingles

How much: Minimal in most homes. You might find light dust on furniture in upstairs rooms.

Mitigation:

We seal attic access during work
Keep windows closed
Expect to dust upstairs rooms after project

Bathroom Access

Crew doesn't use your bathrooms.

They use portable facilities (in their truck) or go to nearby gas stations.

You have full access to your home throughout project.

Access Needs

Crew needs to access all sides of your house.

Paths blocked: They'll work around gates, but unlocked side gates make access easier.

Driveways: Will be partially blocked. Plan accordingly.

Electrical access: Crew plugs air compressors into exterior outlets. Let them know if any issues.

Weather Delays

Richmond weather is unpredictable.

Rain in Forecast

Morning rain: We wait until it clears, start late (9 or 10 AM).

All-day rain: Reschedule to next available day.

Risk: We don't tear off roofs if rain is expected within 24 hours. Too risky.

Mid-project rain:

Roof is tarped immediately
Work pauses until dry
Resumes when safe

Who decides? Crew leader monitors weather constantly and makes call.

Wind

High wind days (25+ mph sustained): Unsafe to work. Crew stays off steep roofs.

Your project: May be delayed 1-2 days during windy periods.

Extreme Heat

Richmond summers hit 95-100°F.

Crew adjustments:

Earlier start (6:30 AM)
Longer breaks
Slower pace in afternoon heat
May extend project by half-day

Safety first. Heat exhaustion and falls from heat fatigue are serious risks.

Common Homeowner Questions

Can I stay home during the roof replacement?

Yes. Most homeowners do. Some leave for the day (especially Day 1 tear-off). Your choice.

Is it safe to be inside?

Yes. No risk to occupants. The work is entirely exterior.

Will my internet/power go out?

No. Electrical and utilities aren't affected.

Can I use my fireplace?

Not while crew is working on chimney flashing. Usually just 2-3 hours. Crew will inform you.

What about my satellite dish or solar panels?

Satellite dishes: Removed at start, reinstalled at end. May need re-aiming.

Solar panels: Removed (by solar company or us), roof replaced, panels reinstalled. Adds 1-2 days to timeline.

What if I need to leave during the day?

Fine. Lock your doors. Crew works outside. Give cell number for any questions.

What if something is damaged (siding, landscaping)?

We repair immediately or credit you for repair cost. Take before photos if you're worried.

Will nail removal be 100% effective?

We do magnetic sweeps (multiple passes). Catch 95-98% of nails. Stray nail or two occasionally missed. We provide magnet stick for homeowner to use after crew leaves.

Timeline for Different Roof Types

Simple gable roof (1,800 sq ft, ranch or cape): 1-2 days

Standard colonial (2,200 sq ft, two stories): 2-3 days

Complex roof (dormers, multiple valleys, steep pitch): 3-4 days

Large roof (3,000+ sq ft): 3-5 days

Metal roof: 3-5 days (slower installation, specialized equipment)

Tile or slate: 5-10 days (much slower installation, custom flashing)

Add time for:

Extensive decking repair: +0.5 to 1 day
Weather delays: +1 to 3 days (Richmond averages 1-day delay per project)
Solar panel removal/reinstall: +2 days
Complex chimney work: +0.5 day

Real Richmond Timeline: Midlothian Colonial

Home: 2,100 sq ft colonial, asphalt shingle to architectural shingle replacement

Roof details: Two-story, 6/12 pitch, two chimneys, no skylights

Monday (Day 1)

7:15 AM: Crew arrived
7:30-11:45 AM: Tear-off complete
12:00-12:45 PM: Lunch
1:00-2:00 PM: Deck inspection (found 3 sheets of rotted decking near one chimney)
2:00 PM: Called homeowner, got approval for decking replacement ($360)
2:15-4:30 PM: Replaced decking, installed ice and water shield
4:30-5:00 PM: Cleanup, covered exposed areas with tarps (as precaution)

Tuesday (Day 2)

7:00 AM: Crew returned
7:15-11:30 AM: Completed underlayment, drip edge, valley prep, chimney counter-flashing
12:00-12:45 PM: Lunch
1:00-5:00 PM: Field shingles installed (80% complete by end of day)

Wednesday (Day 3)

7:00 AM: Crew returned
7:15-10:30 AM: Finished field shingles
10:30-11:30 AM: Ridge cap installation (with ridge vent)
11:30 AM-1:00 PM: Final details, flashing touch-ups
1:00-2:00 PM: Cleanup (magnetic sweep, debris pickup, dumpster loaded)
2:00-2:30 PM: Final walkthrough with homeowner
2:30 PM: Project complete

Total time: 2.5 days

Homeowner feedback: "Day 1 was loud, but bearable. By Day 3, we barely noticed the crew. Everything went smoothly."

Bottom Line

Typical Richmond roof replacement: 2-3 days for most homes.

Loudest day: Day 1 (tear-off). Plan around it.

Safest approach: Be home (or check in) during project. Make yourself available for decisions (decking repairs, flashing choices).

Preparation:

Move cars
Protect landscaping (we also protect it)
Secure wall hangings
Inform neighbors

During work:

Stay inside or away from work zones
Keep pets contained
Check in at lunch or end of day
Take before and after photos

Communication: Good contractors keep you updated. Expect daily check-ins and immediate contact if issues arise.

Your roof replacement will be noisy and disruptive for 2-3 days. Then it's done and you won't think about it for 25+ years.

Planning a roof replacement in Richmond? Request your free consultation and timeline — we'll walk you through exactly what to expect for your specific home.

Call: (804) 238-7837

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