What to Expect During Your Roof Replacement

A typical San Antonio asphalt shingle replacement is a one-day job. Tile, metal, and larger homes take 2–5 days. Knowing what happens each step makes the day less stressful and lets you plan accordingly. Here's the hour-by-hour walkthrough of a standard replacement plus what homeowners should do before, during, and after.

Before install day: 1 week out

• Materials delivered to your driveway or side yard 1–3 days before install. Expect shingle bundles (palletized, ~80 lbs each), underlayment rolls, drip edge, nails, and other supplies.
• Final walkthrough scheduled with the project manager to confirm scope, color, schedule, and any special considerations.
• Permits pulled by us for any jurisdiction that requires them (City of SA permitting, Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, etc).
• HOA approval confirmed if applicable.

Homeowner prep: day before install

• Move vehicles out of the driveway to free up access. Crew will stage dumpster and materials there.
• Park on the street if possible. Save a spot — vehicles parked under the roofline can be at risk from falling debris.
• Protect attic items. Tear-off causes some dust and vibration. If you have stored items in the attic, cover them with drop cloths.
• Secure wall hangings in rooms directly beneath the roof. Vibration can shake picture frames loose.
• Pen up pets. Crew noise and activity can stress pets. Indoor rooms away from work area work well.
• Coordinate with sensitive occupants. If someone works from home, takes online classes, or has noise sensitivity, plan their day elsewhere if possible.

Install day: hour-by-hour

6:30 AM — Arrival and setup

Crew arrives (typically 6–8 installers plus a project manager). Tarps laid over landscaping, pool areas, HVAC condensers, and vehicles. Ladders positioned. Dumpster staged. Final walkthrough with homeowner if you're home.

7:00 AM — Tear-off begins

Loudest part of the day. Crew removes existing shingles, underlayment, and damaged flashing. Debris slides down tarps into the dumpster. Expect 2–4 hours of active tear-off on a typical home. Noise level is significant — hearing protection inside isn't crazy.

10:00 AM — Decking inspection

Once tear-off is complete, project manager inspects deck condition and notifies homeowner of any sheets that need replacement. Photos taken for insurance supplement if applicable. Replacement decking installed before underlayment goes down.

11:00 AM — Underlayment and flashing

Synthetic underlayment rolled across the deck and secured. Ice-and-water shield installed in valleys and around penetrations. Drip edge at eaves and rakes. New pipe boots, vent flashing, and penetration flashing installed. This is the "weatherproofing" phase — if rain hits after this point, the roof is protected.

12:30 PM — Shingle installation begins

Starter course at the eaves, then shingles up each slope. Six-nail pattern per shingle (this is the wind-rated method — cheaper installers use four-nail pattern which voids most manufacturer warranties). Expect 3–5 hours of shingle install on a typical home. Less noise than tear-off, but ongoing activity on the roof.

4:00 PM — Ridge and ventilation

Ridge vent installed (if part of scope), followed by ridge cap shingles. Final flashing details around chimneys, skylights, and any complex intersections.

5:00 PM — Cleanup

Tarps removed, debris swept from gutters and yard, magnetic sweep run across driveway and yard to collect any dropped nails. Final walkthrough with homeowner. Dumpster removed next business day.

After install day

• Day 1–2: Dumpster and material leftovers removed.
• Day 3–5: Final magnetic sweep. Walk the yard for any missed nails before kids or pets go in the grass.
• Week 1–2: Final photos submitted to insurance if applicable, triggering depreciation release.
• Week 2–4: City or county inspection if permit was pulled. We coordinate this.
• Month 1: Manufacturer warranty registration completed. Certificate mailed or emailed.
• Month 3: Check-in call to verify everything is performing well.

Variations for tile and metal

Tile and metal installs differ:

• Tile lift-and-relay: 2–3 days. Day 1 tear-off and tile stacking. Day 2 underlayment replacement. Day 3 tile reset and ridge.
• Tile full replacement: 3–5 days depending on home size.
• Standing seam metal: 2–4 days. Material fabrication can extend lead time 3–6 weeks before install starts.
• Commercial TPO/PVC: Varies widely by size. 10,000 sq ft typically 3–5 days.

What could go wrong (and how we handle it)

• Weather. We watch forecasts. If rain is coming, we don't open a roof we can't close. Scheduled days can shift.
• Hidden decking damage. Tear-off can reveal more rot than expected. We document with photos and pricing transparency — no surprise bills.
• Hidden structural issues. Rare but possible on older homes. We pause, consult homeowner on options, and never proceed without approval on additional scope.
• Color match on claims. Occasionally a specific discontinued color requires close-match substitution. We verify in advance whenever possible.