So you’ve decided it’s time for a new roof. Whether your home is in Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra, St. Johns, Fleming Island, or Middleburg, the next question is usually some version of “okay, what am I in for?”

The good news is that most roof replacements on a typical Northeast Florida home take one to two days. It’s loud, and there’s a lot of activity, but when it’s done right, it’s a pretty smooth process. Here’s what it looks like from start to finish.

Before the Crew Shows Up

Picking your shingles. Most of our replacements use GAF Timberline HDZ shingles, and color is usually the fun part. If you’re stuck, our GAF Timberline HDZ color guide shows how the popular colors look on Jacksonville homes.

Permits. A roof replacement in Florida requires a permit from your city or county. We pull the permit and schedule the required inspections for you, so you don’t have to deal with the paperwork.

Scheduling. Weather plays a big part here. We keep an eye on the forecast and will reach out if a storm pushes your date. Nobody wants a roof open with rain on the way.

How to Get Your Home Ready

A little prep the night before makes the day go a lot smoother:

• Move cars out of the garage and driveway so the crew can get the dumpster and materials close
• Take down wall art, mirrors, and shelf items on exterior walls, since hammering can cause vibrations
• Cover anything stored in the attic with old sheets to catch dust
• Move patio furniture, grills, and potted plants away from the house
• Keep pets inside or plan for them to be somewhere else for the day. The noise is a lot for most dogs.
• Give your neighbors a quick heads up. They’ll appreciate it.

Replacement Day, Step by Step

1. Protecting your property. The crew covers landscaping, AC units, and pool areas and sets up the dumpster.
2. Tear-off. The old shingles and underlayment come off, down to the wood decking.
3. Decking inspection. This is where we find out what’s really been going on under the shingles. Any soft or rotted plywood gets replaced, and we’ll show you photos if we find it.
4. Bringing the deck up to code. Florida building code has specific requirements for how the deck is fastened and sealed. This step is a big part of how your new roof stands up to wind.
5. Underlayment and flashing. New underlayment goes down, along with drip edge and new flashing around walls, chimneys, vents, and skylights.
6. Shingles and ridge vents. The new shingles go on, followed by ridge caps and ventilation.
7. Cleanup. The crew clears debris and runs a magnetic sweeper over your yard and driveway to pick up stray nails.
8. Final inspection. The city or county inspector signs off on the finished roof.

What It’s Like to Be Home That Day

Honestly? Loud. You’ll hear hammers and footsteps overhead most of the day. Many homeowners work from a coffee shop or plan errands while the crew is on the roof. You don’t need to be home the whole time, but we do ask that someone is reachable by phone in case we find something during tear-off.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a roof replacement take in Jacksonville?

Most single family homes take one to two days. Larger or more complicated roofs, or homes that need a lot of decking replaced, can take longer. Weather can also shift the schedule.

Do I need to be home during my roof replacement?

No, but someone should be reachable by phone. If we find damaged decking or anything unexpected, we’ll want to talk with you before moving forward.

Will my yard get messed up?

We protect your landscaping and clean up thoroughly at the end of each day, including a magnetic sweep for nails. If something gets missed, call us and we’ll come back out.

Ready to Get on the Schedule?

We’re a family-owned, GAF Certified Plus roofing company, and we treat every home like it belongs to one of our neighbors, because it usually does. Start with a free roof inspection, learn more about our roof replacement services, or contact us and call (904) 910-3121.