"How long will my house be a construction site?" is one of the first questions we hear — usually right after cost. The honest answer for most Lower Mainland homes: the roof itself takes one to three days. The full journey from first call to cleanup takes longer, and knowing the whole timeline helps you plan around it.

The short answer

Typical asphalt shingle replacement: 1–3 days on site. A straightforward roof on a 2,000 sq ft home is commonly a two-day job; simple, low-slope roofs can finish in one.
Complex roofs: 3–5 days. Steep pitches, multiple valleys, dormers, skylights and chimneys all slow production — safety lines and detailed flashing work take time to do right.
Metal and cedar: longer. Standing-seam metal and cedar installations are more detail-intensive; plan on roughly double the asphalt timeline for the same footprint.
From signed quote to crew on the roof: typically a few weeks, stretching longer in the fall rush — more on booking below.

What actually happens, day by day

Day one: tear-off, inspection, dry-in

The old roofing comes off first — usually 4–6 hours for most homes, longer for steep roofs or multiple old layers. This is also the moment of truth: with the covering gone, we inspect every square foot of the roof deck. Small repairs (a few sheets of damaged sheathing) happen the same day and add a few hours; widespread rot can add a day or more — it's also the point where a permit conversation can arise if structural members are involved, which we cover in our guide to when roof work needs a permit in Metro Vancouver.

The non-negotiable rule in our climate: the deck never spends a night exposed. Whatever is opened gets underlayment or tarping before the crew leaves — every day, regardless of the forecast.

Day two: underlayment, flashing, shingles

Ice-and-water membrane at the eaves and valleys, synthetic underlayment across the field, new drip edge and flashing at every wall, chimney and penetration — then shingling begins. On a two-day job, most of the field is shingled by the end of day two.

Day three: details and cleanup

Ridge caps, vents, final flashing details, and the cleanup that separates professionals from the rest: magnetic sweeps for nails across the lawn and driveway, gutters cleared of debris, and a final walkthrough.

What stretches the timeline

Weather. The obvious one here. Crews work through light drizzle on some phases, but tear-off and shingle sealing need workable windows. A storm system can pause a job mid-way — dried-in and watertight, but paused. Build a buffer day into your expectations from October through February.
Hidden deck damage. The most common surprise. Moss-covered, end-of-life roofs — the ones that most need replacing — are also the ones most likely to hide soft decking.
Access. Tight lots, no driveway parking for the bin, landscaping to protect, three storeys up: all of it slows material handling.
Old layers. Some older homes carry two layers of shingles; stripping both is more truckloads and more hours.

When should you book?

Fall is the Lower Mainland's roofing rush — everyone wants a new roof before the November rains, and good crews book out weeks ahead. If your roof showed warning signs this summer, book early rather than joining the October queue. And yes — roofs are replaced year-round here. Winter installs are routine with the right materials and practices; shingle adhesive strips seal more slowly in cold weather, so crews hand-seal where manufacturers call for it.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if it rains mid-project?

Nothing dramatic — because the roof is never left open. Tear-off is sequenced so that what's opened each day is dried-in the same day. A multi-day rain system pauses the work, not your home's protection.

Do I need to be home during the replacement?

No. Most clients go about their week normally. Expect real noise during working hours, move cars out of the driveway before the crew arrives, and give pets a quieter corner of the house — the hammering carries through the structure.

Does a replacement take longer than a repair?

A targeted repair is usually hours, not days. If you're not sure which your roof needs, start with our guide on repair vs replacement — or skip straight to a free inspection.

How long until the roof "settles in"?

Asphalt shingle adhesive strips seal fully with sun and warmth — days in summer, weeks in a cool winter. Hand-sealing covers the exposed edges in cold-season installs, so the roof is storm-ready from day one.

Get a real schedule, not a guess

Every quote we give includes a realistic on-site duration and a booking window for your specific roof — pitch, layers, access and season included. Book a free inspection or start with what a roof replacement costs in the Lower Mainland.