You signed the contract. The crew is scheduled. Now you are wondering what the next few days will actually look like.
Roof installation disrupts your normal routine. Understanding the process helps you prepare and reduces surprises.
The Day Before
Most contractors will drop materials the day before work starts. A truck shows up with shingles, underlayment, and supplies stacked on pallets. The driver or crew places bundles on your roof or stages them in your driveway.
This is normal. Roofing materials are heavy. Staging them in advance lets the crew start productive work immediately.
Move your cars out of the driveway and away from the house. Debris falls during tear-off. Even careful crews drop nails. Your vehicles should be well clear of the work zone.
Day One - Tear Off
The crew arrives early, often around 7 AM. First activity is setting up - ladders, safety equipment, a dumpster or trailer for debris, tarps to protect landscaping.
Then the old roof comes off. This is noisy. Shingles get pried up and thrown down. Underlayment gets stripped. If there is damaged sheathing underneath, now is when you find out.
Expect dust, debris, and foot traffic around your house. Keep kids and pets inside or away from the work area. Close windows to keep dust out.
By end of day, the tear-off should be complete and possibly some underlayment installed. Your roof might look alarming - just bare wood. This is normal. The crew will cover any exposed areas with tarps if needed.
Days Two and Beyond
Underlayment goes on first. Then drip edge along the eaves, ice and water shield in valleys, and finally shingles starting from the bottom up.
The crew works in sections, completing each area before moving on. Flashing around vents, pipes, chimneys, and walls gets installed as they reach those areas. Ridge caps go on last.
Total time depends on roof size and complexity. A typical San Diego home takes two to four days. Larger homes or complicated rooflines take longer. Rain delays everything.
After the last shingle is down, the crew cleans up. They use magnetic sweepers to collect nails from your yard and driveway. Walk the property with the crew chief before they leave to make sure nothing was missed.
Peak Builders keeps you informed throughout the installation process. We explain what happens each day and address any concerns as they come up.
