What to Expect During Roof Replacement
A realistic look at what happens when you get a new roof installed in Boise.
You've signed the contract, picked your shingles, and scheduled the work. Now you're wondering what actually happens when the roofing crew shows up.
Roof replacement is loud, messy, and disruptive. There's no way around that. But if you know what to expect, it's a lot less stressful.
So let's walk through the entire roof replacement process from start to finish — what happens each day, how long it takes, and what you need to do to prepare.
How Long Does Roof Replacement Take?
Most residential roof replacements in Boise take 1-3 days, depending on the size and complexity of your roof.
A simple single-story ranch with a basic roofline? That might be done in a day. A two-story house with multiple roof planes, dormers, and skylights? Probably 2-3 days.
Weather can push things back. If it's raining or snowing, work stops. Nobody installs a roof in bad weather because you can't waterproof it properly. So if the forecast looks sketchy, expect delays.
Before the Crew Arrives
Your roofing contractor should walk you through what to expect, but here's what you'll need to do before work starts:
Move Your Cars
The crew needs space for their trucks, dumpster, and material delivery. Park your cars on the street or at a neighbor's house for the duration of the job.
Clear the Area Around Your House
Move patio furniture, grills, plants, and anything else near the house. The crew will be dropping old shingles and debris, and you don't want anything getting damaged.
Protect Stuff in Your Garage and Attic
Roof tear-off is violent. The pounding will shake your whole house. If you've got stuff hanging on walls or stacked precariously in the garage or attic, secure it or move it. Dust will get everywhere too, so cover anything you don't want dirty.
Plan for Noise
This job is LOUD. Tearing off old shingles, hammering, nail guns — it's constant noise from 7 or 8 AM until late afternoon. If you work from home, plan to be somewhere else. If you've got pets, keep them inside or away from the house so they don't freak out.
Day 1: Tear-Off and Prep
The crew usually shows up early — 7 or 8 AM — and gets to work immediately. First thing they'll do is set up tarps and protective barriers to catch debris.
Then comes the tear-off. They'll rip up all the old shingles, underlayment, and flashing down to the roof deck. This is the loudest, messiest part of the job. Expect constant banging and the sound of debris sliding off the roof into the dumpster.
Once everything's torn off, they'll inspect the roof deck for damage. If there are any rotten or water-damaged boards, they'll replace them. Most contracts assume the deck is solid, so if they find issues, they'll call you before doing extra work (and charging you for it).
By the end of Day 1, your old roof is gone and your house is covered with tarps for the night. If the weather's good and the crew moves fast, they might start laying new underlayment before they leave.
Day 2: Installation
Day 2 is when your new roof goes on. The crew will start by laying underlayment (the waterproof barrier that goes under the shingles), installing drip edge, and flashing all the valleys and penetrations.
Then they'll start installing shingles, working from the bottom up. You'll hear constant nail gunning — hundreds and hundreds of nails going in. It's still loud, but not as violent as the tear-off.
They'll work around vents, chimneys, skylights, and any other roof penetrations, making sure everything's flashed and sealed properly. This takes time, especially if your roof is complex.
By the end of Day 2, most roofs are fully shingled. If your roof is on the larger or more complicated side, they might need a third day to finish.
Final Day: Ridge Caps and Cleanup
The last step is installing the ridge cap shingles along the peak of the roof and finishing any final details. They'll also install ridge vents if your roof is getting new ventilation.
Then comes cleanup. A good roofing crew will pick up every nail, scrap, and piece of debris from your yard. They'll run magnets over the grass to catch stray nails (because nothing ruins your day like a nail in your car tire).
Before they leave, the crew lead should walk you around the house and show you the finished work. This is your chance to point out anything that doesn't look right or ask questions.
Once you're satisfied, they'll haul away the dumpster and you're done. You've got a new roof.
How We Handle Roof Replacement Projects
We do roof replacements all over the Treasure Valley, and we've got the process down. You'll know exactly when we're showing up, how long the job will take, and what to expect each day.
We protect your property, clean up thoroughly, and don't leave until you're happy with the work. If we run into issues (damaged decking, unexpected structural problems), we'll call you immediately and explain what needs to be fixed before moving forward.
Call us at (208) 505-9352 to schedule your roof replacement in Boise.
The Bottom Line
Roof replacement isn't fun, but it's not that bad if you're prepared. Expect 1-3 days of noise, mess, and disruption. Move your cars, protect your stuff, and plan to be somewhere else during the day if possible.
A good roofing contractor will keep you updated, protect your property, and clean up thoroughly when they're done. If they don't, find someone else.
And once it's done, you've got a new roof that'll last 20-30 years (or more, depending on the material). That's worth a few days of inconvenience.
Ready to Replace Your Roof in Boise?
We'll walk you through the entire process and make it as smooth as possible. Get a free estimate today.