Ever wonder exactly how much time you’ve been putting into your roofing jobs? As much as you'd want to finish multiple jobs within a day, sometimes it’s just not feasible. So knowing how long a job typically takes can help you budget your time more effectively.

But as it turns out, it’s not exactly that simple. The time needed to complete a project varies from property to property, and there are many factors and unforeseen events that influence the length of time you'd spend on a roofing job.

Regardless, here are some pointers for determining a timeline for your roofing jobs so that you can prepare in advance and put your customers at ease. Basically, we’re helping you answer, "How long does a roofing job take?" while also letting you in on how Roofr can help you.

How long does it take to replace a roof?

The average North American house roof can be replaced in 1 - 3 days. But a lot of things can lengthen this, or even shorten it.

Impacts on the length of a roofing jobs

When considering how to answer “How long does roofing take?”, the following are some important factors that influence the timeline of a roof replacement.

The type of job

A roof repair or patch will not take nearly as long as an entire roof replacement. The roof replacement process may take longer if the sheathing is rotted, if there is water damage, or if the roof has skylights.

The crew

A newer crew, or a crew with new members may not work as quickly or efficiently as a crew who's worked together for years. The number of people available for a crew can also impact the time a job takes. If a homeowner needs a job done quickly, consider who you assign to that job. 

Roof accessibility

Roof accessibility refers to how quickly you can access your client's roof. This significantly impacts how long it will take to finish the roofing project.

For instance, accessing a roof becomes more difficult in a home with extensive landscaping, plants, or fences compared to one without these things. Additionally, if a homeowner lives in a small community, it can be more difficult to access their roof.

Roof materials

The type of roofing material you select also determines how long a roofing job can take. The availability of materials can also push back the start date of the job. This may not impact the actual time it takes to complete the replacement, but will impact how quickly you can start. 

Here are some common types of roofing materials and how long they typically take to be installed:

Wood shakes: Depending on the roof size, you should plan on having a new roof installed in 3 to 4 days, weather permitting.

Flat roof: A flat roof replacement should take 2 to 3 days.

Synthetic slate: Slate made of synthetic materials may often be installed in 3 to 5 days.

Concrete tile: Usually takes 8 to 9 days.

Steel sheets: Usually takes 3 to 4 days.

Asphalt shingle roof: This is the most common roofing material and only needs 1 to 2 days to be replaced. (If you're curious about 3 tab vs architectural shingles, you can learn more here.)

Natural slate: A complete replacement takes about 6 to 7 days.

Home size

The average size of a single-family house in America is around 2,200 square feet. A home’s size can affect roof replacement, with smaller homes being able to be built in as little as one day, compared to more significant buildings. However, larger houses with roofs that tend to have a vast surface area might be finished sooner.

Weather

If sheathing gets wet, then shingles cannot be laid until it is completely dry. It is not possible to lay a roof in the rain. So, roofers and timelines are at the mercy of the weather.

Avoid starting a roof replacement project when it's forecasted to rain, snow, or be extremely hot or cold. It's always a good idea to review weather forecasts when booking roofing jobs.

Inform your client and stop if you expect rain or hail. Homes with shingle roofs are particularly vulnerable to damage from extreme weather.

How long roofers work in a day:

Roofers typically work long hours to ensure that projects are completed in a timely manner. A typical workday for roofers may start early in the morning and extend into the late afternoon or early evening, depending on the amount of work to be done and the daylight available.

Roofing crews may work 6 - 8 hours per day, with some projects requiring longer days or even weekend work to meet deadlines.

Daily work for roofers and roofing company owners

Aside from doing roof replacements or overseeing crews, there’s a lot of extra work that roofing company owners must put into a roof replacement. This includes:

• Homeowner communication
• Invoicing and billing
• Customer contact updating
• Marketing efforts
• Follow-up outreach for reviews
• New lead follow up and outreach

How software can help roofers work efficiently:

In today's digital age, software solutions play a crucial role in improving efficiency and productivity for roofing professionals. 

Roofing software, like Roofr, can streamline various aspects of the job, from estimating and bidding to project management and invoicing. 

For example, using a digital roof measurement software reduces how much time you spend driving to and from homes, performing roof inspections. Lead capturing tools, like Roofr’s Instant Estimator, help you get all the info you need about potential customers quickly, empowering your sales team to work more effectively. 

Project management tools like a job board help roofers organize and track job progress, assign tasks to crew members, and communicate effectively with clients and suppliers. 

Additionally, invoicing and payment processing software simplifies the billing process and ensures timely payment for completed work. 

Roofr is built for roofers, by roofers, and does all of these in one place. By choosing an all-in-one tool, you eliminate extra integrations and add-on tools. Too many different software can actually extend your day and make admin work more time consuming than it needs to be.

Timeline of a roof replacement

For a roofing company that uses software, the timeline for replacing a homeowners roof could look like this:

1. A potential customer Googles roofers near them, or asks for referrals from friends and family.
2. Customer fills out an Instant Estimator for an immediate quote.
3. Roofer receives lead information and customer contact.
4. A lead should be contacted in less than 1 business day. (Speed to lead is key!)
5. Take a digital measurement and create a proposal, then send it to a homeowner within a business day.
6. A homeowner reviews and signs a proposal. 
7. A job is booked.
8. The roofer secures any permits, orders materials, and confirms a day-of crew.
9. The roof is replaced in 1 - 3 business days. 
10. A homeowner pays online upon job completion. 
11. The roofer follows up for a review and confirms payment.

Streamline your processes with Roofr

If you’d like to see for yourself how Roofr can help you work smarter and save time on day-to-day admin work, our team can help. Book a demo and see Roofr in action. 

For more information on digital tools for roofing companies, check out these resources:

Drones for roof measurements

A guide to starting a roofing business

A guide to digital marketing for roofers