03 / 09 · The process
From signed contract to final nail in the ridge cap.
A Des Moines re-roof is fast compared to most renovations — usually a two-day tear-off-and-install if the crew is full-size and the weather cooperates. But the calendar from signing to that install day stretches much further, and that's where expectations slip.
Plan on four to eight weeks between contract and install during the busy season, and longer immediately after a hail event. Most of that window is waiting — for materials, for the crew's schedule to open up, for permits, and for the kind of stable weather window that lets a crew get the roof dried in before the next Iowa thunderstorm rolls through. Here's what fills those weeks.
Week oneContract signed, deposit collected
The typical Des Moines deposit is 10 to 33 percent of the contract. Anything approaching half up front is a red flag in residential roofing; hold the line. At signing, confirm the shingle or panel selection in writing, the color (bring a physical sample, not a glossy brochure), and the warranty paperwork that will be filed on your behalf after install.
Weeks two to threeMaterials ordered, permit pulled
Good contractors pull permits with the City of Des Moines, West Des Moines, Urbandale, or your specific jurisdiction before delivery day. Material lead times for standard asphalt are usually under two weeks; specialty colors, impact-rated shingles, and metal can stretch to four to eight. This is also when the crew will schedule a pre-install walk-through if they're thorough.
The day beforeDelivery and site prep
Material delivery usually happens the day before or the morning of install. Shingles get staged on the driveway or (for large loads) placed directly on the roof via boom truck. Move cars out of the driveway, unhook the garage door opener so vibrations don't trigger it, and take down any fragile wall hangings on ceilings directly below the roof.
A standard 25- to 30-square Des Moines roof typically runs two days for a full-size crew — but the calendar from contract to that install day stretches much further.
Install daysTear-off and dry-in, then finish layer
A standard 25- to 30-square Des Moines roof typically runs two days for a 5- to 7-person crew. Day one: tear-off to deck, deck inspection, replacement of any rotten sheathing (charged separately per sheet), ice-and-water shield, synthetic underlayment, and starter course. Day two: field shingles, ridge vent, ridge cap, flashing, and final cleanup. Metal runs longer — three to five days for the same square footage.
Practical tip
Watch the deck-sheet charge
Most Des Moines contracts price deck (sheathing) replacement per sheet at an agreed rate — commonly $75 to $110 per 4x8 sheet installed. A storm-chased roof might need two to eight sheets; a well-ventilated 1990s build often needs none. Insist on a photo of each rotten sheet before the crew covers it, and a written count at the end.
The week afterFinal inspection and paperwork
Expect a magnetic nail sweep of the lawn and driveway, a final walkthrough with the crew lead or project manager, and delivery of your warranty registration paperwork. If the city requires a final inspection, that usually happens within a week or two and doesn't require you to be home. Keep the signed contract, color invoices, and warranty documents together — you'll need them on resale.
Informational only. This page is general guidance from an independent resource — not legal, insurance, or professional contracting advice. Roofing is a significant financial and safety decision; confirm specifics with a licensed Iowa roofing contractor, your city's building department, and your own homeowners policy before acting on anything here.
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