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STEP 1 OF 4 · BEFORE INSTALL

Before the Crew Arrives — What You Need to Do

A lot of the headaches during a roof installation come from homeowners not being prepared for what’s about to happen at their property. The night before the crew arrives, move vehicles out of the driveway and as far from the home as possible — a shingle tear-off sends debris flying 10–15 feet in every direction, and we don’t want anything falling on your car. Cover anything in the garage that you care about, including stored items on open shelving — vibration from tear-off loosens things.

Inside the house, take down any wall art or mirrors, especially on the top floor. The hammering vibration from pneumatic nail guns can knock things off walls — we’ve seen it happen. If you have elderly relatives or pets sensitive to loud noise, arrange for them to be elsewhere for installation day. It’s not quiet work. Also let your immediate neighbors know — particularly if you share a fence line or driveway easement — so they’re not caught off guard by an early crew arrival at 6:30 AM.

STEP 2 OF 4 · DAY 1

Day 1 — Tear-Off, Deck Inspection, and Underlayment

The crew arrives early — usually 6:30–7:00 AM in Santa Ana, because we want to get the tear-off done before the heat peaks. California summers mean the deck surface can hit 130°F by early afternoon, and working on a hot deck is both miserable and dangerous. Tear-off goes fast on a typical 1,500 sq ft Santa Ana ranch: 2–3 hours for stripping all old material down to bare decking. A roll-off dumpster or dump trailer goes in the driveway or street (we pull the city permit for that too if needed).

With the deck bare, we do a full inspection of every sheet of OSB or plywood decking. Soft spots, delamination, rot around any penetration points (vents, pipes, chimneys), and areas with old water damage get marked. Any bad sections get cut out and replaced before anything goes over them. This is the part of the job you don’t see from the ground but it matters enormously — installing new roofing over rotted decking is like painting over rust. On older Santa Ana homes — especially the postwar tracts in the 92704 and 92703 zips — we find deck damage in roughly 40% of jobs. You’ll know within the first morning whether you have any of this.

Once the deck is clean and solid, underlayment goes down. For shingle roofs in California, we install self-adhering ice-and-water shield at all eaves, valleys, and penetration points (required by code even though we don’t get ice — it protects against wind-driven rain), then synthetic felt or premium underlayment over the field. For tile roofs, we install a heavier-duty tile underlayment system rated for the added weight and longer replacement interval. If rain is in the forecast, we make sure the entire deck is covered before the crew leaves for the day.

STEP 3 OF 4 · DAY 1–2

Day 1–2 — Flashing, Material Installation, and Ridge

Metal flashings go in before field material — step flashing at any wall intersections, new kickout flashing where the roof meets a wall above a sidewall, valley flashing, and drip edge around the full perimeter. This is where experience matters. A contractor who cuts corners on flashing will give you a beautiful-looking roof that leaks at every penetration point within 5 years. We replace all metal flashing as part of every roof replacement — not just the obviously damaged pieces.

Field material installation — shingles, tile, or metal panels — goes in from eave to ridge, each course overlapping the one below. For shingle roofs in Santa Ana, we use 6-nail patterns (not the code-minimum 4) because of wind exposure. That extra pair of fasteners per shingle is the difference between a 60 mph Santa Ana wind event being a non-event and losing your ridge row. For tile, each tile is laid and hand-nailed to the deck through the underlayment. Ridge caps go on last, sealed and fastened.

STEP 4 OF 4 · FINAL DAY

Final Day — Cleanup, Permit Inspection, and Walkthrough

Cleanup is a full part of the job, not an afterthought. We run a magnetic roller around the entire perimeter of the house to pick up nails. We blow out gutters and downspouts. We clear the driveway. We pick up debris from landscaping. You should be able to walk your yard barefoot when we’re done — that’s the standard I hold my crews to.

The City of Santa Ana requires a final inspection for all permitted re-roofing work. We schedule that inspection and meet the inspector on-site. The inspection confirms that the work meets California Building Code (CBC) requirements for fastening, underlayment, ventilation, and flashing. After sign-off, we give you the permit card and all warranty documentation. Your homeowner’s insurance policy typically wants to see proof of permitted work — this is that proof. For the full permitting process from application to final sign-off, see our OC roofing permit guide.

Frequently Asked Questions — New Roof Installation in Santa Ana

Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Santa Ana, CA?

Yes. The City of Santa Ana requires a building permit for any roof replacement involving tear-off and reinstallation. Your contractor must pull this permit from the Santa Ana Building Division before work begins. Be very cautious of any contractor who suggests skipping the permit to save money — unpermitted roofing work creates problems when you sell your home, can void manufacturer warranties, and leaves you with no recourse if the work fails. We handle all permitting as part of every job.

How long does a new roof installation take in Santa Ana?

For a typical 1,200–1,800 sq ft Santa Ana home, shingle installation takes 1–2 full days. Tile installation takes 2–3 days due to the weight-setting and hand-nailing process. Larger or more complex rooflines (hips, multiple valleys, dormers) take longer. Weather delays are rare in Santa Ana — we average less than 5 rain days per year during installation season — but we always monitor the forecast before scheduling a tear-off. The permit process (pulling the permit before work, scheduling the final inspection) adds a few days on each end but doesn’t affect your time without a functional roof.

Do I need to be home during the roof installation?

You don’t need to be home the entire time, but we recommend being available by phone and present at two key moments: the start of the first day (to confirm access, dumpster placement, and any last-minute questions) and when we do the walkthrough after completion. If we find deck damage during tear-off, we’ll call you with photos before doing any additional work. You have the right to see what we found before we fix it.

What is the best roofing material for a new roof in Santa Ana?

It depends on your home’s structure, budget, and neighborhood. For most Santa Ana homes, concrete tile or architectural shingle are the best value — concrete tile for homes already built to carry the weight (most pre-1980 construction), architectural shingle for lighter-frame homes or budget-constrained situations. Standing seam metal is the best long-term investment but has the highest upfront cost. Clay tile is ideal for historic homes or where aesthetics are paramount. We’ll tell you honestly which material makes sense for your specific home — not just what we have in stock.

How much does a new roof cost in Santa Ana in 2026?

For a complete new roof installation on a standard Santa Ana home (1,200–2,000 sq ft, single-story, standard pitch): architectural shingle $9,000–$18,000; concrete tile $16,000–$28,000; clay tile $22,000–$40,000; standing seam metal $20,000–$38,000. These are full replacement figures including tear-off, permit, underlayment, all flashing, and cleanup. Two-story homes, steep pitches, complex rooflines, and significant deck damage all add to the cost. Call for a free, no-pressure estimate specific to your home.

Ready for a New Roof? Let’s Start With a Free Estimate.

We’ve been installing roofs in Santa Ana since 2003. We know the neighborhoods, the building inspectors, the permit process, and the specific challenges of roofing in this climate. You’ll get a straight estimate, a clear timeline, and a crew that shows up when they say they will. No subcontractors, no surprises.

(657) 210-3803 — Free New Roof Estimate