The seven steps of a Seattle roof replacement, from the free inspection to the final walk-through, plus what to look for in a written quote.
A full roof replacement in Seattle follows the same order of work almost every time. Knowing that order helps you read a quote, spot a skipped step, and know what the crew is doing when they're on your roof. Here's how a job runs from first visit to final walk-through, based on how we run ours.
#The seven steps at a glance
The table below is the whole job in one place. Each step needs the one before it, so a crew that skips ahead is cutting a corner somewhere.
| Step | What happens | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Free inspection | Photos and a written quote |
| 2 | Permit and materials | Paperwork handled for you |
| 3 | Tear-off | Old shingles come off |
| 4 | Deck check and repair | Bad sheathing replaced |
| 5 | Underlayment, flashing | A dry, sealed roof deck |
| 6 | Shingles and ridge cap | The new roof going on |
| 7 | Cleanup, walk-through | A clear yard, a last look |
#Steps 1 and 2: inspection, quote, and permit
Everything starts with a look at the roof. Roof inspections at Everpeak are free, and the point is to find out whether you need a replacement at all. If a repair covers it, we'll tell you that. If not, you get a written scope that lists tear-off, deck repair, underlayment, flashing, shingles, and cleanup as separate lines, so you can compare it against any other quote line by line. Our cost guide shows what those lines usually add up to.
Then comes the permit. In Seattle, the city's SDCI issues re-roof permits the same day you apply online, and it doesn't require an on-site inspection afterward. Instead, the permit is closed with an affidavit once the work is done. We're licensed and insured in Washington, and we handle that paperwork so you don't have to. Permit rules differ by city, so we check the rules for your address before we order materials.
#Steps 3 and 4: tear-off and the deck
Tear-off is the loud day. The crew strips the old shingles and underlayment down to the wood, and the debris gets hauled off. Ask any roofer how they protect your landscaping and how they check the yard for stray nails.
Once the roof is bare, we inspect the deck. This is the step homeowners hear about least, and it matters most in the Pacific Northwest. Years of damp weather mean most older homes need at least a sheet or two of sheathing replaced once the shingles come off. Our roof decking guide explains how to spot it and what it costs. If the quote doesn't mention deck repair at all, ask how it will be handled when the crew finds rot.
#Steps 5 and 6: making it watertight, then the shingles
The roof only looks finished once the shingles go on, but the parts that keep water out go on first. Ice and water shield goes in the valleys and along the eaves, synthetic underlayment covers the whole deck, and new drip edge, step flashing, and pipe boots go in before a single shingle is nailed. Skipping these to save a day is how leaks show up two winters later.
Only then do the shingles go on. We work from the eaves up, starting with a starter strip, and finish with the hip and ridge caps and the ridge vent. For a sense of which material suits our climate, see our rundown of the best roofing materials for the PNW.
#Step 7: cleanup and the last walk-through
The job isn't done when the last shingle is nailed. The crew hauls off the debris, sweeps the yard and driveway, and does a final walk-through to confirm the details. If you'd like to see finished jobs first, our past work and customer reviews are the place to start.
#What it costs in Seattle
Prices move, so here's a dated number. As of July 2026, architectural shingle roofs in Seattle are running about $6.50 to $9.50 per square foot installed on the quotes we write. Source: Everpeak Roofing's own Seattle quotes, July 2026. Steep pitches, tall houses, and more than one layer to tear off push the total up. The same property can come in well above or below that range depending on the deck repairs found in step 4, which is why the written scope in step 1 matters.
Ask for the steps in writing
A good quote names each of the seven steps, or the same work under different labels. If one is missing, ask who is doing it and what it costs. You can also request a quote and we'll walk through the scope with you.
#Where this applies
The order is the same across the Puget Sound, but the paperwork isn't. We run these jobs in Seattle and the surrounding cities we serve, and each city handles permits a little differently. If you're not sure what your roof needs, contact us or call (425) 505-7142 and we'll start with that free inspection.
#Frequently asked questions
How long does a roof replacement take?
Most homes wrap up in 2 to 4 days. A smaller roof in good weather can finish in one, while a bigger house, cedar shake tear-off, or extra decking repair can stretch it toward a week. Tear-off and the deck check are the unpredictable parts, since nobody knows what's under the shingles until they come off. We plan around the forecast so the roof isn't open when a Seattle downpour rolls in. The full roof replacement page covers the scope, and the cost guide shows how the pieces add up.
Do I need to be home during a roof replacement?
No, but it helps to be reachable by phone. Most of the work happens outside, and you don't need to be inside for any of it. The one moment we want to reach you is after tear-off, because if the crew finds rotted decking, the scope and the price line for that repair change. A quick call or text keeps you in the loop before anything gets covered up. If you'd like to talk through the schedule before the job starts, contact us and we'll set it up with you.
Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Seattle?
Yes, a full re-roof needs one. In Seattle, the city's SDCI issues re-roof permits the same day you apply online, and it doesn't require an on-site inspection afterward. Instead, the permit is closed with an affidavit once the work is done. Other cities handle this differently, so we check the rules for your address before we order materials and take care of the paperwork. You can see the cities we work in on our service areas page, or start with our Seattle page.
Is a roof inspection really free?
Yes. Roof inspections at Everpeak are free, and we put what we find in writing so you can decide on repair or replacement without pressure. The point is to answer a simple question: does this roof need replacing, or will a repair do? If a repair covers it, we'll tell you that. If you want to know what we look at first, our roof inspection page lists it, and the signs you need a new roof can help you decide whether it's time to call.
Why does the deck get checked after tear-off?
Rot is invisible until the shingles come off. Years of damp Pacific Northwest weather can soften the plywood underneath, and you can't judge sheathing from the street or even from the attic. Checking it once the roof is bare lets us replace damaged boards before the new roof covers them, which is cheaper than finding the problem later. Most older homes need a sheet or two. Our roof decking guide explains the signs and what the repair involves.
Can new shingles go over the old ones?
We tear off, every time. Layering new shingles over old ones traps moisture, hides deck rot, and can void a manufacturer warranty, so the saving up front tends to cost more later. Tear-off also means the written quote has an honest scope, with the deck repair priced as its own line. If you're comparing quotes and one skips the tear-off, ask why. Our cost guide explains what a tear-off adds, and you can request a quote to see the lines for your roof.
Written by
Everpeak Roofing
Licensed Seattle roofers, WA Contractor Lic. #EVERPRL743KE. We write from what we actually see on roofs across the Puget Sound.
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