A roof replacement is one of the biggest home improvement projects you will ever undertake. For most Campbell River homeowners, it is also one of the least familiar. Knowing what to expect — day by day — takes the stress out of the process and helps you plan around the work.
After completing hundreds of roof replacements across Campbell River, Courtenay, Comox, and surrounding Vancouver Island communities, owner Chea Beauchemin has refined a process that is efficient, thorough, and respectful of your property. Here is what a typical residential roof replacement looks like from start to finish.
Before Work Begins: The Pre-Job Setup
Before the crew arrives on day one, several things happen behind the scenes. After you accept your estimate and sign the contract, we order materials and coordinate delivery to your property. Materials typically arrive one to two days before work begins. You will see bundles of shingles or metal panels, rolls of underlayment, and flashing materials staged in your driveway or yard.
We also discuss logistics with you: where the dumpster will be placed, where vehicles will park, whether any landscaping needs temporary protection, and whether you have pets or children who need to stay clear of the work zone. We coordinate delivery of a disposal bin — usually a 20 or 30 yard roll-off container — which gets placed in your driveway or on the street if space is tight.
Day 1: Setup, Tear-Off, and Deck Inspection
What happens on Day 1
- 7:00 AM Crew arrives, sets up ladders, safety equipment, and tarps to protect landscaping, siding, and windows below the roofline.
- 8:00 AM Tear-off begins. The crew removes the old shingles, underlayment, flashing, and any deteriorated materials. Everything goes directly into the dumpster.
- Midday With the deck exposed, Chea personally inspects every square foot of plywood sheathing. He checks for rot, soft spots, water staining, and structural integrity.
- Afternoon If the weather forecast shows rain overnight, we install a temporary waterproof tarp over the exposed deck. This is standard practice in Campbell River, where rain can arrive with little notice.
The tear-off is the noisiest part of the process. Expect significant noise from pry bars, shovels, and debris hitting the bin. If you work from home, headphones or noise-cancelling earbuds are a good idea. Most tear-offs on a standard residential roof are completed in a single day.
Day 2: Decking Repairs, Underlayment, and Ice & Water Shield
What happens on Day 2
- Morning Any damaged plywood sheathing is cut out and replaced with new sheets. In Campbell River's wet climate, it is common to find some rot around valleys, eaves, and pipe penetrations.
- Late Morning Ice and water shield membrane is installed along eaves, valleys, around skylights, and at any penetration point. This self-adhering membrane is your roof's last line of defence against water infiltration.
- Afternoon Synthetic underlayment is rolled out across the entire roof deck. This acts as a secondary water barrier beneath your shingles or metal panels. Drip edge flashing is installed along the eaves and rakes.
Day two is critical — this is where the real waterproofing happens. The materials installed on day two are what prevent leaks even if a shingle blows off in a storm. Chea is particular about ice and water shield application, especially in valleys where water concentrates. For asphalt shingle roofs, getting this layer right is what separates a roof that lasts 25 years from one that causes problems at year 10.
Day 3+: New Material Installation
This is where your new roof takes shape. The installation timeline varies depending on the material you have chosen:
Asphalt Shingles
Typical installation: 1-2 days
Shingles are installed from the bottom up in overlapping courses. Starter strip, field shingles, hip and ridge cap shingles, and all flashings are installed in sequence.
Asphalt roofing details →Metal Roofing
Typical installation: 2-4 days
Metal panels are measured, cut to fit, and fastened with precision. Each panel interlocks with the next. Trim, flashing, and ridge cap are custom-formed on site for a watertight seal.
Metal roofing details →During installation, the crew also installs all flashings around chimneys, walls, skylights, and plumbing vents. Proper flashing is one of the most important details on any roof — it is where most leaks originate when done incorrectly. Chea oversees every flashing detail personally.
Ventilation components are also installed during this phase. Ridge vents, soffit vents, or turbine vents ensure proper attic airflow, which prevents moisture buildup and ice damming. Good ventilation extends the life of your roofing materials significantly.
Campbell River Weather: Rain Delays and Tarp Procedures
Let us be honest — this is Campbell River, and rain is part of life here. With over 1,400 mm of annual rainfall, weather delays are a normal part of roofing on Vancouver Island. Here is how we handle them:
We monitor forecasts daily. We track Environment Canada forecasts closely and plan the most weather-sensitive work (tear-off and underlayment) for the driest windows available.
We carry heavy-duty tarps on every job. If rain moves in unexpectedly, the crew stops work and secures waterproof tarps over any exposed areas within minutes. Your home stays dry.
We communicate delays promptly. If a rain day pushes the schedule, we call you that morning to let you know and give you an updated timeline. No surprises.
We never install in active rain. Shingles and underlayment need to be installed on a dry surface to adhere properly. Installing in rain compromises the roof's integrity — we will never cut that corner.
Final Day: Cleanup, Inspection, and Walkthrough
Once the last ridge cap is fastened and the final piece of trim is in place, the work is not done. Cleanup is a critical part of every Beauchemin Roofing project:
Full Property Cleanup
The crew clears all debris from the roof, gutters, yard, driveway, and gardens. A magnetic nail sweep is run across your entire yard and driveway — multiple times — to pick up every stray nail and fastener. We take this seriously because we know you have kids, pets, and vehicles.
Final Roof Inspection
Chea gets back on the roof for a thorough final inspection. He checks every flashing, every ridge cap fastener, every valley, and every penetration seal. He verifies that ventilation is functioning properly and that the finished roof meets his standards.
Homeowner Walkthrough
We walk you around the property, show you the completed roof from ground level, point out key features like ventilation and flashing details, and answer any questions. We provide your warranty documentation and maintenance recommendations specific to your roofing material.
How Long Does the Whole Process Take?
A typical Campbell River residential roof replacement takes 3 to 5 working days, depending on the size of the roof, the complexity of the roof line, the material chosen, and the weather. Metal roofing installations generally take a day or two longer than asphalt shingle jobs due to the precision cutting and fitting required.
With over 30 years of experience on Vancouver Island, Chea Beauchemin and his crew work efficiently without cutting corners. We would rather take an extra day and do it right than rush and leave you with problems down the road. That philosophy is why our customers keep coming back and referring their neighbours.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are considering a roof replacement, the first step is a free estimate. Chea will visit your property, assess your current roof's condition, discuss material options, and provide a detailed written quote. There is never any pressure — just honest advice from a roofer who has been doing this for over three decades. Contact us today to schedule your free assessment.
