How Long Does a Roof Replacement Take in Austin? (And Can You Stay Home?)
Most asphalt shingle roof replacements in Austin take one day. Steep or complex roofs take two. Metal roofs take 3 to 5 days and tile roofs take 5 to 7 days for an average-sized home. You stay in your home the whole time.
Below, you get the full roof replacement timeline by material, what happens hour by hour on install day and how to prepare your home, kids and pets.
Roof Replacement Timeline by Material
| Roof Type | Typical Install Time | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles | 1 day, 2 for complex roofs | Fast tear-off and install on most Austin homes |
| Metal roofing | 3 to 5 days | Panels measured, cut and fastened with precision trim work |
| Tile roofing | 5 to 7 days | Heavy material, set by hand, tile by tile |
Four things add time to any job:
- Rotted decking. We find soft or water-damaged plywood during tear-off and replace the bad sections before new material goes down.
- A second layer of shingles. Older Austin homes sometimes have two layers. Both come off, which adds tear-off time.
- Steep pitch. Crews move slower and use more safety equipment on steep roofs.
- Rain. We do not tear off a roof with rain in the forecast. We move the date instead.
Most jobs start 5 to 7 days after you sign your contract. Year-round, including summer.
What Install Day Looks Like
Here is a typical one-day shingle replacement, start to finish:
- 7 AM: Crew arrives. The crew sets up catch-all netting around your home to protect landscaping, windows and walls from falling debris.
- Morning: Tear-off. The loudest part of the day. The crew strips old shingles, underlayment and flashing down to the decking.
- Late morning: Decking check. We inspect every section of exposed decking and replace anything rotted or soft. We photograph what we find so you see the damage.
- Midday: Underlayment and flashing. New underlayment, drip edge, ice and water shield in valleys and new flashing go down.
- Afternoon: Shingles. Starter strip, field shingles, ridge vents and ridge cap.
- Until sundown: Cleanup. The crew takes down the netting, hauls debris and walks multiple laps around your property with a magnet sweeper to pick up nails.
Our crews work from 7 AM until sundown. We also work Saturdays, but only with your OK. If you would rather keep your weekend quiet, tell us and we schedule around the weekend.
Every step gets photographed through a CompanyCam project link, so you see the progress even if you spend the day at the office.
Can You Stay Home During a Roof Replacement?
Yes. Your home stays intact, your power and water keep running and your kitchen and bathrooms work as normal. Most Austin homeowners stay home. Whether you want to stay depends on how you handle noise.
Noise
Tear-off and nailing are loud from 7 AM through the afternoon. If you work from home, plan calls for a coffee shop, library or coworking space on install day. For a one-day shingle job, most people leave for the morning and come back after tear-off ends.
Kids and Pets
Keep kids and pets inside, away from the work side of the house, or out of the house for the day. Dogs often stress over the noise. A quiet interior room, a friend’s house or doggy daycare for the day works well. Keep pets out of the yard until the magnet sweep is done.
Dust
Tear-off shakes loose dust in the attic. Some settles inside, especially in homes with attic access in a closet or garage. Cover anything stored in the attic and close interior doors. Change your HVAC filter after the job.
“Most of our customers stay home. The ones who have the best day are the ones who knew the schedule going in. They leave for tear-off, come back for lunch and walk the finished roof with us before dark.”
Jake Mullin, Owner, RoofsOnly.com
How to Prepare Your Home
- Move your vehicles. Park on the street the night before. The crew needs the driveway for the dump trailer and material delivery.
- Take pictures off the walls. Hammering vibrates through the house. Secure mirrors, framed art and shelf decor, especially on top-floor walls.
- Clear the patio. Move grills, patio furniture and potted plants away from the house.
- Cover the attic. Throw old sheets over anything stored in the attic.
- Tell your neighbors. A heads-up about noise and trucks keeps everyone on good terms.
- Unlock the gate. The crew needs access to every side of the house.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do roofers need to come inside my house?
Sometimes. The crew checks the attic for leaks, water damage and ventilation. Most roof replacements need little or no time inside your living space.
What if the crew finds rotted decking?
We photograph the damaged decking, show you the photos and replace the bad sections before any new material goes down. New shingles on rotted wood fail early.
What happens if rain shows up mid-job?
We watch the forecast and move the start date when rain threatens. If weather rolls in during the job, the crew secures the roof before leaving. See what happens if it rains during roof installation.
Do you work in the Austin summer heat?
Yes. We install year-round with no summer slowdown and no crew changes. See the best time to replace a roof in Austin.
Will there be nails in my yard after the job?
We walk multiple laps around your property with a magnet sweeper before we leave. If you find a stray nail later, call us and we come back.
How much does a roof replacement cost in Austin?
Size, pitch, material and decking condition set your price. Get a fast range from our instant estimator or read our Austin roof replacement cost guide.
Schedule Your Free Roof Inspection
Start with a free inspection. You get photos, a written estimate and a timeline in writing before any work begins. Call (512) 746-7090 or schedule online.
