Our Roof Replacement Process: What to Expect Step by Step

What to Expect When You Replace Your Roof with Modern Day Roofing

Getting a new roof is a big investment, and most homeowners have never been through the process before. Not knowing what to expect can make it stressful. Modern Day Roofing’s goal is to make it simple, predictable, and low-stress.

Here’s exactly what happens when you hire Modern Day Roofing for a roof replacement — from the first phone call to the final walkthrough.

Step 1: Free Inspection and Assessment

Everything starts with a thorough, no-obligation roof inspection.

A project manager visits your home and evaluates:

• Roof condition – age, visible damage, and wear patterns
• Decking integrity – checking for soft spots, sagging, or rot
• Ventilation system – making sure intake and exhaust are balanced and adequate
• Flashing – around chimneys, walls, skylights, and other penetrations
• Gutters and drainage – to see how water is moving off your roof
• Attic – for signs of leaks, moisture, or poor ventilation

This inspection is completely free and typically takes 45–60 minutes. During the visit, we take photos and measurements so we can build an accurate, line-by-line estimate.

Step 2: Detailed Proposal and Material Selection

Within 1–2 business days after your inspection, you’ll receive a detailed written proposal that clearly outlines:

• Scope of work – exactly what we’ll do and what’s included
• Material specifications and options – underlayment, shingles, flashing, ventilation, and accessories
• Timeline estimate – how long the project should take
• Total cost – with no hidden fees
• Warranty information – including manufacturer and workmanship coverage

This is also when you choose your roofing materials.

As a GAF Master Elite contractor, we primarily install complete GAF shingle systems. Popular options include:

• Timberline HDZ – our most popular architectural shingle
• Designer shingles – for upgraded aesthetics and curb appeal
• Metal roofing options – for homeowners who prefer a metal system

We bring full-size color samples to your home so you can see actual shingles against your siding, brick, or trim — no guessing from tiny color chips.

Step 3: Pre-Construction Preparation

Once you approve the proposal, we take care of the logistics so you don’t have to.

What we handle:

• Permit filing – We pull all required building permits with your local jurisdiction (Montgomery County, Roanoke County, City of Salem, etc.).
• Material ordering – We order your selected materials and schedule delivery to your property, usually 1–2 days before installation.
• Scheduling – We lock in your installation date and give you a 2–3 day weather-dependent window.
• Neighbor notification (recommended) – We suggest letting close neighbors know about the project since roofing can be noisy for a day or two.

What you can do to prepare:

• Move vehicles away from the house and out of the driveway if possible.
• Clear items from your porch, patio, and around the home’s perimeter.
• Take down fragile wall decorations inside (vibration from tear-off can sometimes knock items loose).

Step 4: Tear-Off Day

This is the big day. Our crew typically arrives between 7:00 and 7:30 AM.

Setup and Protection

Before any shingles come off, we protect your property:

• Tarps are laid around the home’s perimeter to catch debris.
• Plywood is used to shield landscaping, AC units, and other vulnerable areas.
• Magnetic nail sweepers are staged for ongoing and final cleanup.

Tear-Off

We remove the entire existing roof down to the decking. We do not install new shingles over old ones because that can:

• Hide existing problems
• Add unnecessary weight
• Shorten the life of your new roof

All old roofing materials are placed directly into an on-site dumpster.

Deck Inspection

With the old roof removed, we can see the full condition of your roof deck. We:

• Inspect every square foot of decking
• Replace any rotten, soft, or damaged sections with new OSB or plywood

This is the only time we can truly see what’s happening underneath your old roof, and it’s a critical step in ensuring your new roof lasts.

On an average-sized home, tear-off is usually completed by mid-morning.

Step 5: Installation

With clean, solid decking exposed, we install your new roofing system from the bottom up, following manufacturer specifications.

1. Ice and water shield

Installed along eaves, valleys, and around penetrations. This is your last line of defense against water infiltration from wind-driven rain or ice dams.

1. Synthetic underlayment

Covers the entire roof deck to provide a secondary moisture barrier under the shingles.

1. Drip edge

Metal flashing installed along eaves and rakes to guide water into the gutters and protect the roof edges.

1. Starter shingles

Specialized starter strips installed along eaves and rakes to ensure proper shingle adhesion and wind resistance.

1. Field shingles

Your chosen shingles are installed across the roof using the correct nailing pattern and layout for maximum performance and warranty compliance.

1. Hip and ridge caps

Installed along hips and ridges to finish the roof, protect vulnerable seams, and, where applicable, integrate with ridge ventilation.

1. Ventilation

We install or upgrade ridge vents and verify that soffit vents are present and functioning so your attic can breathe properly.

1. Flashing

New step flashing, counter flashing, and pipe boots are installed at all penetration points (chimneys, walls, vents, pipes, etc.).

For a typical home, installation is completed in 1–2 days, depending on size, roof pitch, and complexity.

Step 6: Cleanup and Final Inspection

Cleanup is just as important as installation.

Cleanup includes:

• Removing all debris from the roof, gutters, and around the property
• Running a magnetic nail sweeper across the yard, driveway, and street — at least three full passes
• Taking down tarps and protective coverings
• Restoring your property as close as possible to its original condition
• Having the dumpster hauled away promptly

Final Inspection:

• Our project manager performs a detailed inspection of the completed roof, checking all components against our quality standards and manufacturer requirements.
• We then walk the property with you so you can see the finished roof, ask questions, and review any important details.

Step 7: Warranty Registration and Follow-Up

After your roof is installed, we handle the paperwork and follow-up.