How Long Does It Take To Replace A Shingle Roof?

One of the most popular questions roofing customers asks is “How long does it take to replace a shingle roof?” Generally speaking, most homes with a shingle roof take between 1-3 days but it’s not the case with every roof. In extreme cases, it can take as long as two weeks when if there are a lot of factors the roofers are up against.

The length of time it takes to replace a shingle roof can be estimated more accurately by taking the following factors into consideration.

Size of the roof

The size of the roof can make a big difference in the time it takes to replace a shingle roof. It should be fairly obvious that if the installation is for a small bungalow, it’s going to be a lot quicker than if it’s for a giant mansion.

Roofers consider a 3000 square foot house to have an average-sized roof. Most professional roofing companies can get the average job finished in one day. Of course, that’s providing that the installation doesn’t have any of the following factors come into play.

Complexity of the roof

There are simple roofs to repair and install and then there are complex roof installations that require much more effort to complete. The number of measurements, cuts and multiple angles with a heavy amount of facets, hips and valleys plays a big role in the time it will take to complete the roof.

Take a gander at the roof of this house. It has four basic sides to the roof that is common on bungalows.

Now take a look at this house with an endless number of sides due to its intricate architecture. It’s not only going to take a lot longer for the complex roof to be done properly, but it’s going to cost a lot more too.

Pitch of the roof

No surprises here. A steep roof is going to be much more difficult to navigate because the roofers require special safety equipment. Not only can they not walk on the roof but they can’t even rest any tools on it. This makes steep pitch roofs much harder and longer to complete.

Accessibility

In the same vein, the accessibility of the roof is also an issue when it comes to estimating the length of time for roof repair. Heavy landscaping, fences or any obstacles that make access to the roof difficult will hinder the efficiency of a shingle roof installation. This creates the need for special equipment to get around the issues challenging accessibility.

Homes that have a paved surface with no obstacles are much easier to roof than homes that do not. Roofers can get on and off the roof easier. The logistics of throwing old shingles out and getting new ones up becomes less of a hindrance as well.

Inclement weather

There is a sweet spot when it comes to the right temperature for roofing. It should be pretty obvious that rain, snow and ice can present an issue for roofers. Did you know that extreme swings in cold or hot temperature can also mean waiting until the weather conditions improve before work begins again?

How long does it take to replace a shingle roof in sub-zero temperature? 

Forever. 

It can’t be done. 

Colder weather makes shingles brittle and you run the risk of breakage. The sealant is also affected by cold temperature, which can mean losing shingles prematurely to high winds.

The sealant is also an issue in the summer if temperatures become extremely hot. Many shingle manufacturers state the most ideal temperature to install shingles is between 40 and 85 degrees F (4 and 26 degrees C). For this reason, fall tends to be the best time and season for installing a high-quality roof.

Structural damage and additional construction

It’s not uncommon for homes to have structural damage underneath old roofs. If there are any problems with the structure it must be repaired before installing a new roof. The extra work will add a considerable amount of time to the project. 

This also applies to other potential areas that require construction. If the chimney needs work then you need to tack on some extra time for this addition to your roofing project. If there’s mould or rotting wood anywhere near your roof you can forget about a quick completion.

Get an accurate time estimate on your shingle roof installation

By now, you should have a good idea of how to answer the question of how long does it take to replace a shingle roof?  There are quite a few variables that come into play when estimating an accurate time for installation.

It may seem appealing to get your roof done in one day but it’s not always the best option. Take into account the fact that you want your roof to last a long time. A rush job does not equate to a quality job. Make sure your roof gets the attention it needs and the correct amount of time to do it right.

Call us or send us a message for a free consultation on any of your roof-related projects.