A typical roof replacement in Detroit takes 1-3 days: day one is tear-off and decking inspection, day two is underlayment and shingle installation, and a final day (if needed) covers flashing, ridge caps, and cleanup. Most single-family homes finish in one long day.
Day One: Tear-Off and Deck Inspection
The crew strips old shingles down to the decking, then inspects the plywood underneath for soft spots or water damage. Any damaged decking gets replaced before anything new goes down – this is the step that catches problems a surface inspection can miss.
Underlayment and Ice-and-Water Barrier
Given Michigan’s freeze-thaw winters, we install ice-and-water shield along eaves and valleys before the main underlayment. This is the layer that actually stops ice-dam leaks, not the shingles themselves.
Shingle or Material Installation
New shingles (or metal panels, if that is what you chose) go on in courses from the eave up, with proper nailing patterns for Michigan wind exposure. This is the most visible part of the job but usually the fastest.
Flashing, Vents, and Ridge Caps
Flashing around chimneys, skylights, and vent pipes gets replaced, not just re-sealed over old material. This is where most roof leaks actually originate, so we treat it as a full-replacement item, not an afterthought.
Daily Cleanup and Magnetic Nail Sweep
At the end of each work day, the crew clears debris and runs a magnetic sweep across the yard and driveway for stray nails. Your property should look clean by the time the truck leaves, not like a job site.
Final Walkthrough
Once the job is done, we walk the property with you, answer questions, and go over your lifetime workmanship warranty paperwork. Nothing gets marked complete until you have seen the finished roof yourself.
What Happens the Night Before
Materials are typically delivered and staged in your driveway the day before or the morning of the job. We will walk you through where the dumpster or material stack will sit, and flag anything on your property, like delicate landscaping, that needs extra care during tear-off.
Weather Contingency Planning
If rain is forecast mid-project, we schedule around it whenever possible, and keep the roof deck covered with tarps overnight if any section is left exposed. This is planned into the schedule, not improvised after the fact.
Permits and Inspections
Detroit-area roofing work typically requires a permit, which we pull before starting. Depending on your municipality, a local inspector may check the finished work – we coordinate that scheduling so you do not have to.
Your Role During the Project
Beyond moving vehicles away from the driveway and keeping pets away from the work area, there is little you need to do. Most homeowners are able to go about a normal day while the crew works.
How We Handle Older Detroit Homes
Many Detroit homes have layered roofing history – a previous owner’s repair, an older decking style, or non-standard framing. Our crews are experienced with these quirks and flag anything unusual during tear-off before proceeding, rather than assuming every roof fits a standard template.
Choosing Your Shingle Color and Style
Before the crew arrives, you will pick a shingle color and style from manufacturer samples, not just a swatch on a screen. We can bring physical samples to your home so you can see how a color actually looks against your siding and trim in real daylight, which often looks different than it does in a catalog photo.
Communication During the Job
You will have a direct line to your project lead throughout the job, not just a general office number. If something unexpected turns up, like decking damage beyond what was visible during the original inspection, we call you before proceeding, explain the cost impact, and get your approval rather than surprising you with the final invoice.
Questions Before You Commit
If you are still comparing repair against full replacement, our roofing services page outlines every option we offer, so you can see the full picture before deciding.
Ready to schedule? Start with a free roof inspection, or see our full roof replacement page for material options and pricing factors.