How hard is it to reroof a house?

November 21, 2025

2 min read

Reroofing a house is hard work, but it is doable. It takes skill, time, and the right tools to do it well.

Most homeowners hire professionals to reroof their houses. According to industry data, about 85% of roof replacements are done by contractors, not homeowners.

The job can take a few days to a few weeks. It depends on how big your roof is and what kind of damage it has.

How Long Does It Take to Reroof?

A small house roof can take 3 to 5 days to reroof. Larger homes may take 2 to 3 weeks.

The National Roofing Contractors Association reports that the average roof replacement takes about 1 to 3 weeks. Weather can slow things down. Rain or snow means workers have to stop and wait.

If your roof is steep or has many angles, it takes longer.

Related articles:

Why Is Reroofing Hard?

Reroofing is physically hard on the body. Workers have to climb up and down ladders all day. They carry heavy materials and work in the heat or cold.

It is also dangerous work. According to HomeAdvisor, fall injuries are the most common roof accident. Workers must use safety straps and harnesses to stay safe.

You also need to know how to do it right. Bad work can cause leaks and water damage inside your home. Repairs after bad roofing cost a lot of money.

Tools and Skills You Need

Professional roofers use special tools. They have nail guns, roofing hammers, and safety gear.

Here are the main tools needed:

Safety harness and rope
Ladder
Nail gun
Roofing shovel
Measuring tape

You also need to know about different roof types. Asphalt shingles, metal, and tile roofs all need different skills.

Diy Reroofing Vs. Hiring a Pro

Factor	DIY Reroofing	Hire a Pro
Cost	Lower materials only	Higher total cost
Time	Much longer	Faster
Quality	May have mistakes	Usually very good
Warranty	No warranty	Often includes warranty
Safety	High risk of falls	Trained and insured

Most people hire professionals because it is safer and faster. Data from insurance providers shows that DIY roof work leads to injuries 40% of the time.

Professional roofers have insurance. If something goes wrong, you are protected.

Related articles:

What Makes a Roof Job More Difficult

Some roofs are much harder to reroof than others. Steep roofs are harder than flat roofs.

Roofs with many valleys and corners take longer. The Roofing Industry Alliance found that complex roof designs take 30% longer to complete than simple roofs.

Here are factors that make reroofing harder:

Steep pitch or angle
Many valleys and peaks
Old materials that are hard to remove
Damaged wood underneath
Bad weather

If your old roof is damaged underneath, fixing it costs more money. Sometimes roofers find rotten wood that needs to be replaced.

The Cost of Reroofing

Reroofing costs depend on your roof size and the type of material you pick. According to HomeAdvisor, the average roof replacement costs between $5,000 and $10,000.

Asphalt shingles are the cheapest option. Metal roofs cost more but last longer. Recent studies show that metal roofs can last 40 to 70 years, while asphalt shingles last 15 to 25 years.

Labor costs are usually the biggest part of the price. Professionals charge by the hour or by the square foot of roof.

When You Should Hire a Pro

You should hire a professional if your roof is steep. It is too dangerous to do yourself.

Hire a pro if you have never done roof work before. Mistakes can be expensive to fix. Insurance industry data indicates that poor installation causes 30% of roof failures.

Also hire a pro if your roof has damage underneath. This requires skill to assess and fix properly.

Work with a professional roof contractor to protect your property with quality roofing solutions.