One of the most common questions we get before starting a job: “How long is this going to take?” Fair question — you’ve got work, kids, a dog, and a life. Here’s the real answer for NJ homes.
Most Roof Replacements Take 1–2 Days
For a standard single-family home in Union County NJ — let’s say 1,500 to 2,500 square feet — a full roof replacement typically takes one full day with a properly sized crew. Larger or more complex roofs (steep pitch, multiple valleys, dormers) can run into a second day.
What Happens Each Day
Day 1 Morning
Crew arrives, sets up safety equipment, lays tarps to protect your landscaping, driveway, and HVAC equipment. Tear-off begins — old shingles, underlayment, and any damaged decking gets stripped down to bare wood.
Day 1 Midday
Decking inspection. Any rotted or damaged plywood is replaced. Ice and water shield is installed along the eaves and valleys. Underlayment goes down over the rest of the deck.
Day 1 Afternoon
New shingles go on, starting from the bottom up. Drip edge, flashing, and ridge cap are installed. Pipe boots and vents are sealed.
Day 2 (if needed)
Finish shingles, final flashing details, cleanup. Magnetic roller sweeps the yard and driveway for nails. Final walkthrough.
What Can Slow Things Down?
- Weather: We don’t roof in rain. If a storm rolls in mid-job, we secure everything and come back. Your home stays watertight with underlayment in place.
- Hidden decking damage: If we pull shingles and find widespread rot, replacing decking adds time — usually a half day at most.
- Permit inspection scheduling: Some NJ towns require an inspector to sign off before we can close up certain details. We handle scheduling but can’t control the town’s calendar.
- Complex roof geometry: Lots of dormers, skylights, chimneys, or multiple roof planes take more time to flash and seal properly.
What Do You Need to Do?
Not much. Clear your driveway so the dumpster can be placed close to the house. Move any fragile items away from exterior walls — the vibration from nail guns is real. Keep pets inside. That’s pretty much it.
When Can We Get Started?
Typically we can get you on the schedule within 1–2 weeks, depending on season. Summer and fall are our busiest times in NJ — the earlier you call, the sooner we can lock in your date.
Call (908) 206-4240 or get a free estimate online. Serving Cranford, Westfield, Clark, Garwood, Kenilworth, and all of Union County.