Process Walkthrough
What to Expect During a Roof Installation — Day by Day.
Quick Answer
A typical residential roof installation in Oregon wraps in 1–3 working days. Day 1 is tear-off and decking inspection; day 2 is underlayment plus the bulk of the new roof; day 3 is ridge caps, ventilation, and cleanup. You don't need to be home, but you do need to move vehicles out of the driveway, secure pets, and walk the perimeter with us when we're done.
Before installation — the pre-install visit
A few days before the install date, we'll do a short pre-install visit to your home. This isn't a sales call — it's a logistics meeting. We'll:
- Confirm your material choice and color one last time
- Walk the property to identify anything that needs to be moved or protected
- Plan dumpster placement on your driveway (with plywood underneath to protect the surface)
- Identify safe access points for the crew and equipment
- Note any sensitive landscaping or items in the attic that need attention
- Confirm the start time on day 1
Day 1 — Tear-off (the loud one)
The crew arrives in the morning, sets up safety lines and tarps around the perimeter, and begins stripping the existing roof. By the end of day 1:
- The old roof is fully removed and in the dumpster
- The decking has been inspected sheet by sheet
- Any compromised sheathing has been replaced (you'll see this on the day's invoice)
- Synthetic underlayment is covering the deck in case of overnight weather
What you'll experience: significant hammering, the sound of a dumpster being loaded, and crews moving on the roof. This is the loudest day. If you work from home, plan accordingly — a coffee shop or library is your friend on tear-off day.
Day 2 — Underlayment and roofing
Day 2 is when your new roof actually starts going on. The crew installs:
- Ice-and-water shield at the eaves, valleys, and around penetrations
- Synthetic underlayment across the rest of the deck
- Drip edge along the eaves and rakes
- Starter row
- The bulk of the new roofing — shingles, panels, or whatever you chose
- Step and counter flashing at every wall transition, chimney, and penetration
By the end of day 2, your home is fully weatherproofed in the new roof, even if a few details remain.
Day 3 — Finish, vent, and clean
Day 3 is the lightest day in terms of crew size but the most detail-oriented. The team will:
- Install ridge caps and ridge ventilation
- Detail any remaining penetrations or transitions
- Install pipe boots, kick-outs, and any specialty flashing
- Sweep the entire yard with a magnetic roller to recover stray nails
- Haul off the dumpster
Final walkthrough
Before we leave the property, we do a walkthrough with you (or a representative). We'll:
- Walk the perimeter and identify anything that needs follow-up
- Show you key flashing details from the ground
- Hand over your manufacturer warranty paperwork
- Provide the final invoice with any decking or change-order items listed
- Take post-install photos for our records
If anything isn't right, this is the time to flag it — and we'd much rather hear about it now than two weeks later.
What you need to do as the homeowner
Most of the work is on us. Your job is small but important:
- Move vehicles off the driveway and away from the house starting the morning of day 1.
- Secure pets indoors — the noise is stressful for animals, and we don't want anyone slipping out.
- Take down wall hangings on top-floor interior walls. Hammering on the roof can vibrate frames loose.
- Cover items in the attic if you store anything sensitive there. Tear-off creates dust that can sift through gaps.
- Tell your neighbors. Tear-off day is loud, and a heads-up is good neighborly form.
- Be reachable by phone for the duration of the install.
That's it. No need to be home, no need to manage the crew — we handle it.
FAQs
What happens if it rains during my install?
Light rain is workable for tear-off when we know it's coming — we keep the deck covered with underlayment between work sessions. Heavy or sustained rain pauses the project. We'll reschedule the affected days and keep your home weather-tight in between.
What time does the crew start?
We typically start between 7:00 and 8:00 AM and finish by 5:00 PM. Tear-off day starts earlier so the bulk of the noise is done before midday.
Will the crew use my bathroom?
No. We bring our own facilities for any multi-day project. We don't use the homeowner's bathroom.
What if you find rotted decking?
We replace it. The per-sheet price is on your estimate up front, so there are no surprises. We'll send you a photo of any rot we find and confirm before replacing it.