How Long Does a Roof Replacement Take in Utah?

One of the first questions homeowners ask is how long the job is going to take. Our answer is probably a little different from what you might hear from some of the larger outfits in the valley.

For the average residential home along the Wasatch Front, our jobs typically run three to five days. Some straightforward homes go a little faster. Larger or more complex roofs might stretch a bit longer. But you are not going to be living in a construction zone for weeks.

Why our timeline looks a little different

Some companies will tell you they can do your roof in a single day. With a crew of eight or ten people, maybe they can. But I have never been convinced that faster is better for something as important as your roof.

We run smaller crews, typically two to five people depending on the job. These are tight, experienced teams who know each other and know how we do things. They are not a rotating cast of strangers showing up to your house. When the same people work together job after job, they communicate better, they catch more, and the quality of the work shows it.

A smaller crew takes a little more time. But that time goes toward doing things right. Every piece of flashing is fitted properly. Every shingle is nailed to spec. Every detail gets the attention it deserves. I would rather take an extra day and know the job is done right than rush through it and hope nothing got missed.

What actually determines the timeline?

Roof size. This is the most obvious factor. A 1,500 square foot ranch takes less time than a 3,500 square foot two-story. We measure roofs in squares, where one square equals 100 square feet of roof area. A typical home in Layton or Kaysville runs between 20 and 35 squares.

Roof complexity. A simple gable roof with two slopes and minimal penetrations moves faster than a roof with multiple valleys, dormers, hips, skylights, and chimneys. Every one of those features requires detailed flashing work that takes time to do correctly. Homes up in the benches tend to be more complex than homes on the valley floor, and that shows up in the timeline.

Pitch. Steeper roofs take longer. Once you get above a certain pitch, the crew needs additional safety equipment and cannot move as quickly. A walkable 5/12 pitch is much faster to work on than a steep 10/12 or 12/12.

Decking condition. We do not know the full picture until the old roof comes off. If there is rotted or damaged decking underneath, it has to be replaced before anything new goes on. A few sheets of plywood add an hour or two. Significant decking damage can add half a day or more.

Weather. This is Utah, so weather is always a factor. We do not roof in the rain. If a storm rolls in mid-afternoon, we secure everything and come back when it clears. During monsoon season, those afternoon pop-ups can push a job out by a day. In winter, shorter daylight means fewer working hours.

What does a typical job look like day by day?

Day one is usually tear-off day. The crew arrives early, typically between 7:00 and 7:30 in the morning. The dumpster is already in place. We lay tarps around the perimeter to protect your landscaping and siding, and then we start stripping the old roof. Tear-off is the loudest and messiest part. Depending on the size of the roof and crew, it might take most of the first day. If things are moving well, we start laying underlayment before we wrap up.

Over the next few days, the new system goes on in layers. Ice and water shield along the eaves and valleys. Underlayment across the entire deck. Drip edge, starter shingles, field shingles row by row, ridge vent, and ridge cap. Flashing gets worked in at every wall, chimney, pipe, and transition.

Every evening when the crew leaves, everything is sealed and waterproof. Your home is never left exposed overnight, no matter where we are in the process.