How long does a roof replacement take?

Most residential roof replacements are completed in 1–3 days, depending on the size and complexity of your roof. We work efficiently while maintaining the highest quality standards.

Do you offer free estimates?

Yes! We provide free, no-obligation estimates for all roofing services. Call us at (956) 600-0501 or visit our contact page to get started.

What roofing materials do you use?

We use top-quality materials from trusted manufacturers including architectural shingles, metal roofing, and flat roofing systems. We'll recommend the best option for your home and budget.

Do you help with insurance claims?

Absolutely. We have extensive experience working with insurance companies. We'll document the damage, meet with adjusters, and ensure you get the coverage you deserve.

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Residential Roofing Process: Step-by-Step Guide

May 18, 202610 min read

A residential roof replacement is the single most expensive home improvement most RGV homeowners ever buy. It's also the one with the least transparency. Most people only do this once or twice in their lifetime. This guide walks through every step of what actually happens between "I think I need a new roof" and "the crew is gone and there's not a nail in the yard."

Step 1: Free inspection (Day 0, 30-60 minutes)

Before any quote, the contractor needs to see your roof.

What we do during inspection: - Walk the roof if pitch allows (some are too steep — drone footage instead) - Photograph all four slopes, valleys, ridges, penetrations - Check attic for daylight, water staining, ventilation - Measure for accurate squares (one square = 100 sqft) - Inspect deck for soft spots - Check fascia, soffit, gutters

What you should ask: - Do I really need a full replacement or would repair work? - What's the deck condition? - Is my ventilation adequate? See [Why Inadequate Ventilation Kills RGV Roofs](/blog/why-inadequate-ventilation-kills-rgv-roofs). - How long do I realistically have on the current roof?

Free, no pressure. We'd rather you delay 3 years than rush a replacement that doesn't make sense yet.

Step 2: Estimate (Day 1-3)

Within 1-3 business days you receive a written estimate. A real estimate has line items, not just a single price.

Look for: - Tear-off scope (how many layers, dump fees included) - Decking allowance (price per sheet of plywood replacement) - Underlayment grade specified - Shingle / panel brand and product line - Drip edge, starter strip, ridge cap, ice & water shield specified - Ventilation plan (intake + exhaust) - Cleanup and magnetic sweep included - Warranty terms (manufacturer + workmanship)

If a quote is just "Roof: $14,500" with no line items, ask for a breakdown. See [Red Flags When Comparing Roofing Quotes](/blog/red-flags-comparing-roofing-quotes).

We provide written estimates with full line items, photos, and material specs. Side-by-side options are common (architectural shingle vs Class 4 vs metal).

Step 3: Contract & deposit (Day 3-10)

Once you're ready to proceed, we sign a contract. A real contract specifies:

- Total price + deposit amount - Materials brand + product line - Warranty terms (workmanship years + manufacturer) - Schedule (start window, expected completion) - Payment schedule - Cleanup standard - Insurance / lien waiver provisions

Typical deposit: 25-33% to schedule and order materials. Beware of contractors asking for 50%+ deposits — that's a working-capital problem, not your problem.

Step 4: Material delivery (Day before install)

Materials are delivered the day before or morning of install: - Bundles of shingles (or pallets of metal panels) staged in driveway - Underlayment, ice & water shield rolls - Drip edge, starter, ridge cap, flashing - Dumpster delivered for tear-off debris

Move cars out of the driveway. Cover anything in the garage near the door (drywall dust from vibration during tear-off can drift in).

Step 5: Tear-off (Install Day 1, 4-8 hours)

The crew arrives at 7-8 AM. Process:

1. Tarps go down on landscaping below eaves 2. Crew climbs roof and starts pulling shingles, working down-slope 3. Old roofing goes into the dumpster 4. Decking is exposed and inspected 5. Soft / rotted plywood gets called out for replacement (per the allowance in your contract)

What you'll hear: continuous hammering, thumping, occasional shouting between crew members. This is loud. Plan to be out of the house if you work from home.

What you'll see: some debris drift no matter how careful the tarps. Magnetic sweep at end of day catches stray nails.

Step 6: Deck repair (Install Day 1, as needed)

Soft or rotted decking gets cut out and replaced with new 1/2" plywood (or 5/8" depending on rafter spacing). Photos taken of every replacement piece for documentation.

If this is way over your contract's allowance, you'll be notified before any uncontracted work proceeds.

Step 7: Underlayment (Install Day 1-2)

Synthetic underlayment goes down across the entire deck. In valleys, around penetrations, and along eaves we install ice & water shield (self-adhering peel-and-stick).

Drip edge installs at eaves and rakes.

Step 8: Roofing material installation (Install Day 2-3)

For shingles: - Starter strip at eaves - Architectural or Class 4 shingles installed in pattern, 6 nails per shingle - Step flashing at walls, kick-out flashing at wall-bottom intersections - Pipe boots and vent flashings - Ridge cap shingles last

For metal: - Panels installed eave-to-ridge with proper clip system - Ridge cap, hip caps, gable trim - Penetrations sealed with butyl + screws

Step 9: Ventilation (Install Day 2-3)

Ridge vent or off-ridge box vents installed. Soffit vents inspected and unblocked if needed (often original soffit vents got painted shut over the years).

This step matters more than most people realize. See [Ridge Vent Guide for South Texas Attics](/blog/ridge-vent-guide-south-texas-attics).

Step 10: Cleanup (Install Day 3 or final morning)

End of work each day: - All debris loaded in dumpster - Magnetic sweep through yard, driveway, sidewalks - Walk-around of perimeter

Final morning includes a homeowner walk-through. We don't leave until you've signed off.

Step 11: Final inspection + warranty registration (within 14 days)

Within two weeks: - Final inspection by project manager - Material warranty registration with manufacturer - Workmanship warranty document delivered - Photos of completed install delivered - Final invoice + payment

Step 12: Annual maintenance (year 1+)

A new roof isn't zero-maintenance. We recommend: - Annual visual inspection from ground (or by us, free) - Gutter cleaning twice a year - Tree trimming if branches overhang - Inspection after every named storm

See [Roof Maintenance Schedule for the RGV](/blog/roof-maintenance-schedule-rgv).

Total timeline summary

| Phase | Time | What you do | |-------|------|-------------| | Inspection | Day 0 | Schedule it | | Estimate | Day 1-3 | Review, ask questions | | Contract | Day 3-10 | Sign, pay deposit | | Material delivery | Day before install | Move cars | | Install | 1-3 days | Stay clear of yard | | Cleanup | Last day | Walk-through with PM | | Final inspection | 14 days | Sign warranty docs |

Common questions

### How long does a full residential roof take?

1-3 days for shingles on a typical RGV home. 2-4 days for metal. Larger homes or weather delays add days.

### Do I need to be home?

No. Many of our jobs run with the homeowner at work. We coordinate access (gate codes, etc.) and lock up at end of day.

### What if it rains during install?

We don't tear off if rain is in the forecast within 24 hours. If unexpected rain hits, the crew tarps the section in progress within 15 minutes.

### Will my landscaping be damaged?

Some debris falls. We tarp before tear-off and run a magnet through the yard daily. Rare for any plant damage to occur.

### What about my pets?

Keep them inside during install. The hammering scares most pets, and yard access is unsafe with crew working overhead.

### Do I need permits?

Re-roofs in most RGV cities require permits. We pull them. Cost is included in the quote.

### Insurance claim — different process?

Mostly the same, plus we coordinate with your adjuster. See [How Insurance Claims Work for Roofing](/blog/how-insurance-claims-work-for-roofing).

Get a free inspection

(956) 600-0501 — we'll walk you through every step on-site.