What to Expect During a Roof Tear-Off in Austin
A roof tear-off strips your old roof down to bare decking. Crews remove the shingles, flashing, underlayment and old nails, inspect the wood underneath and build the new roof on a clean surface. This post walks you through what happens on an Austin tear-off, in order.
Tear-Off vs. Overlay
An overlay puts new shingles over the old ones. We do not do overlays. Here is why.
Overlays trap moisture. Heat and water stay locked between the layers.
Overlays hide damage. You cannot inspect decking under two layers of shingles. Soft or rotted spots stay hidden until they leak.
Overlays void most manufacturer warranties. A roof laid over old shingles rarely qualifies for full warranty coverage.
Every replacement we do is a full tear-off. See everything included on our roof replacement page.
Before the Crew Arrives
Most replacements start about a week after you sign. Crews work from 7 AM until sundown. We work Saturdays only with your approval.
Our crew uses catch-all netting to keep old roofing off your landscaping and out of your yard. Take wall art off interior walls under the roof. The hammering shakes the house. Move your vehicles out of the driveway before the crew arrives.
Tear-Off Day, Step by Step
1. Ridge caps and shingles come off
The crew starts at the peak and works down. Tear-off forks and shovels lift the ridge caps and shingles in sections.
2. Flashing and underlayment come off
Flashing seals the joints at chimneys, walls and valleys. Metal flashing ages on the same schedule as your shingles, so we replace it with the roof. Read more in our guide to how roof flashing works. The old underlayment comes off next.
3. Old nails come out
The crew pulls old nails or sets them flush. Protruding nails damage new roofing material. A magnet sweep clears loose nails from the roof and the ground.
4. We inspect every sheet of decking
Decking is the plywood or OSB under your roof. We check each sheet for soft spots, rot and moisture damage. We replace compromised sheets before any new material goes down. Every replaced sheet is photographed through CompanyCam and listed on your final invoice. The per-sheet rate sits in your written estimate before we start. Years of small leaks hide under shingles until a tear-off exposes them.
5. New underlayment, drip edge and pipe boots go on
We install synthetic underlayment as the standard on every residential replacement. Ice and water shield goes at valleys, eaves and penetrations where code or conditions require it. New drip edge goes along the eaves and rakes. Every pipe boot is replaced with a new one. Old boots fail within 10 to 15 years in Austin’s UV exposure.
How Long a Tear-Off Takes
Most residential shingle replacements take one to two days once work starts. Metal takes three to five days and tile takes five to seven days on an average-sized roof. Larger homes, steep pitches and complex roof lines take longer. Hidden decking damage adds time. Rain is the main delay. Our crews install year-round, so Austin summers do not slow our schedule. See our full guide on how long it takes to replace a roof.
What a Tear-Off Costs
Tear-off of one existing layer comes with your replacement price. Most residential replacements in Austin fall between $8,000 and $25,000. Decking replacement is billed per sheet at the rate in your written estimate. Read our breakdown of what a roof replacement costs or run your numbers in our instant cost estimator.
Permits in Austin
Standard residential roof replacements in Austin do not require a permit. Structural work and commercial projects follow different rules. We tell you what applies before work starts.
Insurance Claims and Tear-Off Documentation
Austin hail is not rare. The September 24, 2023 storm brought 4-inch hail and heavy winds to parts of the city. If you have a storm claim, the tear-off shows the true condition of your decking. We photograph every stage through CompanyCam and attend your adjuster meeting. Read how the insurance claim process works and the most common claim mistakes.
“The shingles show you what the last storm did. The decking shows you what the last ten years did. We look at every sheet before a new shingle goes down. We photograph what we find so you see it too.”
Jake Mullin, Owner, RoofsOnly.com
Cleanup and Haul-Off
We load and haul off all old roofing material the same day. The crew runs multiple magnet-sweep laps across your yard, driveway and the ground around your home. You receive a direct link to your full CompanyCam photo timeline at completion. No login required.
Frequently Asked Questions About Roof Tear-Offs
How much does a roof tear-off cost in Austin?
Tear-off comes with your replacement price. Most residential replacements in Austin fall between $8,000 and $25,000. Architectural shingles typically run $10,000 to $14,500 on a 2,000 sq ft home. Decking replacement is billed per sheet at the rate in your written estimate. Use our instant cost estimator for a ballpark figure.
Can a tear-off finish in one day?
Often yes on a standard residential shingle roof. Most replacements, from tear-off through the new roof, take one to two days once work starts. Roof complexity, hidden decking damage and rain extend the timeline.
What happens if you find damaged decking?
We photograph each damaged sheet and replace it before any new material goes down. The per-sheet rate is in your written estimate before work starts. The photos support any insurance claim.
Do I need a permit for a roof tear-off in Austin?
Standard residential roof replacements in Austin do not require a permit. Structural work and commercial projects follow different rules. We tell you what applies before work starts.
Can I put new shingles over my old roof?
We do not install over existing layers. An overlay traps moisture, hides decking damage and voids most manufacturer warranties. Every replacement we do is a full tear-off.
Will a tear-off damage my landscaping?
Our crew uses catch-all netting to control debris and runs multiple magnet-sweep laps at cleanup. Tell us about fragile plants or loose gutters before work starts.
Ready for a Roof You Can Trust?
Schedule a free roof inspection or call (512) 746-7090. We inspect, photograph every finding and give you a written estimate. We serve Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Leander, Kyle, Buda and surrounding communities. Have more questions? Read our Austin roofing FAQ.
