The day roofing materials arrive at your home is the moment your roof replacement project becomes real. One morning you have a normal-looking house on a quiet Pinellas County street. By afternoon, there are pallets of shingles on your roof, a stack of underlayment rolls on your driveway, and maybe a few curious neighbors wondering what is happening. For most homeowners, this is the first part of the process they actually see and experience, since everything before this point (choosing materials, signing contracts, pulling permits) happened on paper.
Material delivery seems straightforward, but there are real decisions and potential problems involved. The type of delivery affects your cost and your driveway. The timing affects your project schedule and your HOA standing. The placement affects your roof structure and your neighbor relationships. This guide walks through the entire process so you know exactly what to expect, what to prepare, and what questions to ask your contractor.
Rooftop Delivery vs. Ground Delivery
There are two fundamental ways to get roofing materials from the delivery truck to your property: rooftop delivery and ground delivery. The method your contractor uses depends on your home's layout, lot conditions, and the type of roofing material being installed.
Rooftop Delivery
Rooftop delivery is the standard for most shingle roof replacements in Pinellas County. A boom truck (also called a conveyor truck) pulls up to your house and uses a hydraulic boom arm to lift pallets of shingles directly onto your roof. The operator places the material in strategic locations on the roof surface, distributing the weight across multiple areas rather than stacking everything in one spot.
A typical rooftop delivery for a 2,000 square foot home takes 30 to 60 minutes. The boom truck needs a relatively clear path from the street to the house, enough overhead clearance for the boom arm (at least 10 feet clear of power lines and tree branches), and a stable surface to deploy outrigger stabilizers.
The main advantage of rooftop delivery is labor efficiency. A roofing crew that would otherwise spend 2 to 3 hours hand-carrying 80 to 100 bundles of shingles up ladders can begin installation work immediately. This time savings translates to lower labor costs and faster project completion.
Ground Delivery
Ground delivery means materials are dropped on your driveway, garage pad, or yard. The roofing crew then hand-carries everything up to the roof as they work. This method is used when rooftop delivery is not possible, which happens more often in Pinellas County than you might expect.
Common reasons for ground delivery in Pinellas County include:
- Power lines crossing over the roof or along the boom truck setup area
- Mature oak trees or palm trees blocking the boom arm path
- Narrow lots or setbacks that prevent the boom truck from getting close enough to the house
- Flat or low-slope roofs that cannot safely support staged material weight
- Tile roof replacements where individual tiles are too fragile for boom placement
Ground delivery adds labor time and cost to your project. Expect an additional $200 to $500 in labor charges for a standard shingle roof when the crew must hand-carry all materials.
Delivery Method Comparison
| Factor | Rooftop Delivery | Ground Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Included in most contracts or $50 to $200 extra | $200 to $500 extra labor charge |
| Time on site | 30 to 60 minutes | 15 to 30 minutes (drop only) |
| Crew labor added | None | 2 to 3 hours of hand-carrying |
| Requires boom truck access | Yes | No |
| Driveway impact | Heavy truck on driveway/street | Material stacked on driveway |
| Roof load concern | Materials sit on roof 1 to 3 days | Materials carried up as needed |
| Best for | Steep-slope shingle roofs with clear access | Flat roofs, tile roofs, obstructed lots |
Boom Truck Access Requirements
If your contractor plans a rooftop delivery, the boom truck needs specific conditions to operate safely and effectively. Understanding these requirements in advance helps you prepare your property and avoid delivery-day surprises.
Overhead Clearance
The boom arm extends from the truck bed upward and over the house, lifting pallets from the truck to the roof. OSHA requires a minimum clearance of 10 feet from overhead power lines. In practice, most boom operators maintain 15 to 20 feet of clearance for an additional safety margin.
In Pinellas County, overhead power lines are the single most common obstacle to rooftop delivery. Duke Energy's residential distribution lines typically run along the front of properties at heights of 18 to 25 feet. If these lines cross over your home or run along the side where the boom truck would set up, rooftop delivery may not be possible without a temporary disconnect.
Tree canopy is the second most common obstacle. Pinellas County's mature live oaks and large palm trees can block the boom arm path even when power lines are not an issue. If your lot has significant tree coverage over or near the roof, the boom operator may not be able to reach all areas of the roof.
Ground Access
The boom truck needs to get close to your house. Ideally, the truck parks on the street directly in front of the home or in the driveway. The truck is roughly 30 feet long and 8 feet wide, similar to a large moving truck. It requires a clear path at least 10 feet wide and stable ground for the outriggers.
For homes on cul-de-sacs, the truck may need to approach from a specific angle. For corner lots, there are usually more access options. For homes with long driveways or gated entries, the contractor needs to plan access in advance. In gated communities common throughout Pinellas County (especially in areas like East Lake, Palm Harbor, and Safety Harbor), the HOA may need to authorize truck access and provide a gate code or arrange for gate access during the delivery window.
What to Do if Boom Truck Access Is Blocked
| Obstruction | Solution | Cost | Lead Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power lines over roof | Request temporary disconnect from Duke Energy | $200 to $500 | 5 to 10 business days |
| Power lines along side of house | Access from opposite side or use ground delivery | $0 to $500 | Same day |
| Tree canopy blocking boom | Trim branches with arborist; may need permit for protected species | $300 to $1,500 | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Narrow street or no truck access | Ground delivery with manual carry | $200 to $500 extra labor | Same day |
| Gated community | Arrange gate access with HOA/management in advance | $0 | 1 to 7 days for approval |
Driveway Protection
Driveway damage from roofing material delivery is one of the most common complaints from Florida homeowners after a roof replacement. The problem is simple physics: a loaded boom truck can weigh 25,000 to 40,000 pounds. That is significantly more than the passenger vehicles your driveway was designed to support, which typically weigh 3,000 to 5,000 pounds.
Types of Driveway Damage
- Concrete cracking: The most common issue. Older concrete driveways (and many in Pinellas County are 30 to 50 years old) can crack under the concentrated weight of truck outriggers. Even newer concrete can crack if it was poured thin (less than 4 inches) or without proper reinforcement.
- Asphalt rutting: Hot Florida temperatures soften asphalt driveways. A heavy truck sitting on softened asphalt during a summer delivery can leave permanent indentations, especially at outrigger contact points.
- Paver shifting: Interlocking paver driveways can shift, sink, or crack under extreme point loads from outriggers. The damage may not appear immediately but can show up days or weeks later as pavers settle.
- Oil and hydraulic fluid stains: Boom trucks occasionally leak hydraulic fluid. On a light-colored concrete driveway, these stains can be permanent without professional cleaning.
How to Protect Your Driveway
Discuss driveway protection with your contractor before delivery day. Here are the standard precautions:
- Plywood under outriggers: The contractor should place 3/4-inch plywood sheets (at least 4x4 feet) under each outrigger pad. This distributes the load over a wider area and is the most important protection measure.
- Street setup when possible: If the boom can reach your roof from the street, keeping the truck off your driveway entirely eliminates the risk. This is often possible for homes with shorter setbacks.
- Photo documentation: Take dated photos of your driveway condition before delivery day. If damage occurs, this documentation supports a repair claim against the contractor's insurance.
- Ask about insurance coverage: Confirm with your contractor that their general liability policy covers property damage including driveway damage from delivery equipment.
If your driveway is particularly old, thin, or in poor condition, discuss this with your contractor. They may recommend street-based setup even if it means a longer boom reach, or they may suggest ground delivery to avoid the heavy truck entirely.
Delivery Timing: When Materials Arrive
Roofing materials are typically delivered 1 to 3 days before the installation crew arrives. This advance delivery serves several important purposes:
- Quality verification: The contractor or crew foreman can inspect the materials to confirm the correct product, color, and quantity arrived before the installation day
- Schedule assurance: If materials arrive damaged or in the wrong color, there is time to reorder without delaying the project
- Efficient start: When the crew arrives on installation day, they can begin work immediately rather than waiting for a delivery truck
Delivery Timing Considerations for Pinellas County
Florida's weather patterns create timing considerations that do not exist in most other states:
- Summer thunderstorms: From June through September, afternoon thunderstorms are almost daily in Pinellas County. Some contractors prefer same-day delivery during these months to minimize weather exposure to staged materials.
- Hurricane season: During active hurricane season (August through November), contractors may delay material delivery if a tropical system is approaching. Materials staged on a roof during high winds become projectiles.
- Heat exposure: Asphalt shingles that sit on a Florida roof in direct sun can reach surface temperatures of 150 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit. While this does not damage the shingles, it can cause the adhesive strips to partially activate, making bundles harder to separate during installation. Experienced Pinellas County contractors account for this by staging materials in shaded areas of the roof when possible.
Most deliveries arrive between 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The early timing allows the boom truck to complete its route before afternoon storms and before peak traffic on Pinellas County roads. If you need to be home for the delivery (which is recommended but not always required), plan to be available in the morning.
Material Staging and Weight Distribution
Where materials are placed on your roof matters more than most homeowners realize. Improper staging can cause structural damage, create safety hazards, and even void your roofing warranty.
How Materials Are Distributed on the Roof
A professional boom truck operator does not dump all the materials in one spot. Instead, they distribute shingle bundles across the roof surface in a pattern that:
- Places materials near the ridge (peak) of the roof to prevent them from sliding on steep slopes
- Spreads the weight across multiple areas rather than concentrating it in one location
- Positions bundles along each side of the roof so the crew can access materials as they work across the surface
- Keeps materials away from valleys and edges where they could shift or fall
Weight Limits and Structural Considerations
A standard roofing square (100 square feet) of architectural shingles weighs 250 to 350 pounds. For a 2,000 square foot roof, that is 5,000 to 7,000 pounds of new shingles alone, plus underlayment, starter strips, ridge caps, and flashing materials. The total material weight for a typical Pinellas County home is 6,000 to 9,000 pounds.
Most residential roof structures in Pinellas County are engineered to support 20 pounds per square foot of dead load (the permanent weight of the roof itself) plus 20 pounds per square foot of live load (temporary weight from workers, equipment, and materials). A stack of 10 shingle bundles in one spot creates a concentrated load of approximately 800 pounds on an area of about 12 square feet, which is roughly 67 pounds per square foot. This exceeds the typical live load capacity.
This is why proper distribution matters. Spreading those same 10 bundles across 50 to 60 square feet of roof surface brings the load down to a safe 13 to 16 pounds per square foot.
Florida Flat Roof Warning
Flat and low-slope roofs deserve special attention in Pinellas County. Many mid-century homes built in the 1950s through 1970s in areas like St. Petersburg, Gulfport, and Kenneth City have flat or near-flat roof sections. Some commercial buildings throughout the county use flat roof systems exclusively.
Flat roofs present unique staging challenges:
- Lower structural capacity: Flat roof trusses or joists are often designed with lower load margins than pitched roof trusses because they must already support greater rain load potential (water ponding).
- No gravity assist: On a pitched roof, friction keeps staged materials in place. On a flat roof, stacked materials can shift, creating unpredictable load concentrations.
- Membrane vulnerability: Many flat roofs have single-ply membranes (TPO, PVC, or modified bitumen) that can be punctured by concentrated material weight, especially in Florida heat when the membrane becomes more pliable.
For flat roof projects in Pinellas County, ground delivery with progressive carry-up is the standard practice. Materials are brought to the roof in small quantities as the crew installs them, keeping the staged load on the roof minimal at all times.
What Gets Delivered: A Complete Materials List
Understanding what arrives on delivery day helps you verify that everything is correct. Here is a typical material list for a Pinellas County shingle roof replacement on a 2,000 square foot home:
| Material | Typical Quantity | Weight | Delivered Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shingle bundles | 60 to 80 bundles | 60 to 80 lbs each | Rooftop (distributed) |
| Underlayment rolls | 6 to 10 rolls | 50 to 75 lbs each | Rooftop or ground |
| Starter strip | 4 to 6 bundles | 30 to 50 lbs each | Rooftop |
| Ridge cap shingles | 2 to 4 bundles | 30 to 50 lbs each | Rooftop (near ridge) |
| Drip edge/flashing | 100 to 150 linear feet | 1 to 2 lbs per foot | Ground or rooftop |
| Roofing nails | 2 to 3 boxes (coil nails) | 30 to 50 lbs per box | Ground |
| Pipe boots/vents | 3 to 8 pieces | 2 to 5 lbs each | Ground |
| Ice and water shield | 1 to 3 rolls | 60 to 75 lbs each | Rooftop or ground |
When the delivery arrives, check (or have your contractor check) that the shingle color matches what you ordered. It is not uncommon for a distributor to send the wrong color variant, and catching this before installation saves enormous trouble. Also verify the product line matches your contract. For example, if you ordered GAF Timberline HDZ, confirm the bundles are not Timberline HD (a different product with different warranty coverage).
HOA Delivery Restrictions in Pinellas County
If you live in an HOA community, your association may have specific rules governing material delivery. These rules exist because a boom truck on a residential street, a stack of shingles on a driveway, and delivery noise at 7:00 AM all affect the community beyond just your property.
Common HOA Delivery Rules
- Delivery windows: Many HOAs limit deliveries to weekdays between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Some allow Saturday morning deliveries but prohibit weekend afternoon and Sunday deliveries entirely.
- Material staging duration: Some HOAs require that materials not sit on the property for more than 3 to 5 days before work begins. This prevents homeowners from ordering materials weeks in advance and leaving pallets visible on the driveway.
- Driveway staging only: Certain communities prohibit staging materials in the front yard, requiring everything to be on the driveway, garage, or roof. This keeps the visual impact contained.
- Street access restrictions: Gated communities may limit the size of vehicles that can enter or restrict large truck access to certain gates or hours. The boom truck driver needs to know these restrictions before delivery day.
Share your HOA's delivery rules with your contractor as early as possible, ideally during the contract signing phase. A contractor who learns about delivery restrictions on the morning of delivery will face delays and potential HOA violations that could have been avoided with advance planning.
Preparing Your Property for Delivery Day
A little preparation before delivery day prevents problems and makes the process smoother for everyone involved.
The Day Before Delivery
- Clear the driveway. Move all vehicles, bicycles, toys, trash cans, and any other items off the driveway. The boom truck may need to use your driveway for setup, and even if it stays on the street, materials dropped on the ground will need driveway space.
- Trim low branches. If tree branches hang below 15 feet over the driveway or the area where the boom truck will operate, trim them. This is especially common with live oaks and overgrown palm fronds in Pinellas County.
- Note your gate code. If you live in a gated community, provide the gate code or arrange guest access for the delivery truck. Boom trucks are too large to follow a resident vehicle through a closing gate.
- Move fragile items. If you have potted plants, decorations, or outdoor furniture near the delivery zone, move them at least 20 feet away. The boom truck creates vibration and the material loading process can bump nearby items.
- Alert your neighbors. Let the neighbors on either side know about the delivery schedule. A boom truck on the street can temporarily block driveway access and generate significant noise.
Delivery Day
- Be home if possible. While you do not need to supervise the delivery, being home allows you to answer any access questions the driver may have and inspect the materials when they arrive.
- Keep pets inside. A boom truck is loud and unfamiliar. Dogs especially can become agitated and create safety hazards for the delivery crew. Keep all pets inside the house during the delivery.
- Verify materials. Check the product name and color on the shingle bundles against your contract. Count the bundles if possible. Look for any visible damage to the packaging.
- Photograph everything. Take photos of the staged materials on your roof and any materials on the ground. Also photograph your driveway condition after the truck leaves. This documentation is valuable if any issues arise later.
What Can Go Wrong (and How to Handle It)
Most roofing material deliveries go smoothly. When problems occur, they usually fall into a few predictable categories:
Wrong Color or Product
The distributor sends Weathered Wood when you ordered Charcoal. Or they send Timberline HD instead of Timberline HDZ. If you catch this on delivery day, the contractor can arrange for a swap before the crew starts. If you do not catch it and the wrong product gets installed, you may face a much more complicated and expensive correction.
Short Delivery
The delivery is missing 10 bundles, or the underlayment order is one roll short. This can delay the project if the crew runs out of material mid-installation. Experienced contractors order 10 to 15 percent more material than calculated to account for waste and cutting, but occasionally even that is not enough. A short delivery usually means a quick run to a local distributor, adding a few hours to the project timeline.
Driveway Damage
As discussed earlier, boom trucks can damage driveways. If you notice cracking, rutting, or staining after the delivery, document it immediately with photos and notify your contractor the same day. Do not wait until the project is complete to raise the issue.
Materials Damaged in Transit
Shingle bundles that arrive torn, wet, or visibly damaged should be refused or flagged immediately. Damaged shingles can have compromised adhesive strips, broken tabs, or missing granules. Your contractor should reject damaged materials and arrange for replacement from the distributor.
Weather Delays
If materials are delivered and then rain delays the installation start by several days, the materials sit exposed on your roof or driveway. Asphalt shingles in sealed bundles can tolerate rain, but extended moisture exposure is not ideal. If a significant delay is expected (more than 5 days), ask your contractor whether materials should be covered with tarps or moved to a more protected location.
Tile Roof and Metal Roof Delivery Differences
While asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material in Pinellas County, tile roofs and metal roofs have different delivery requirements.
Tile Roof Delivery
Concrete and clay tile are significantly heavier than shingles. A single concrete tile weighs 9 to 12 pounds, and a full pallet can weigh 2,500 to 3,500 pounds. Tile is typically ground-delivered on pallets and hand-carried to the roof during installation. Staging large quantities of tile on the roof is generally not recommended due to the concentrated weight.
Tile deliveries also take up more space. A typical tile re-roof requires 5 to 10 pallets of tile, plus underlayment, battens, and accessories. You may need to dedicate your entire driveway and part of your yard to material staging.
Metal Roof Delivery
Standing seam metal panels are typically custom-fabricated to the exact lengths needed for your roof. They arrive on a flatbed truck in bundles of long panels (sometimes 20 feet or more). These panels cannot be bent or stacked in the same way as shingle bundles. They require careful handling and flat storage.
Metal panels are almost always ground-delivered and hand-carried to the roof during installation. The panels are lightweight individually but awkward to handle due to their length. Adequate staging space on the ground is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between rooftop delivery and ground delivery for roofing materials?
Rooftop delivery uses a boom truck to lift bundled shingles, underlayment, and other materials directly onto the roof. Ground delivery drops everything on your driveway or yard. Rooftop delivery costs $50 to $200 more but saves significant labor time because the crew does not have to hand-carry 60 to 80 pound shingle bundles up ladders. For most Pinellas County homes with steep-slope roofs, rooftop delivery is the standard and preferred method. Ground delivery is used when boom truck access is not possible due to power lines, trees, or narrow lot conditions.
How far in advance are roofing materials delivered before work starts?
Roofing materials are typically delivered 1 to 3 days before the scheduled installation date. This allows the contractor to verify that all materials arrived in the correct quantities, colors, and product lines before the crew shows up. In Pinellas County, where afternoon thunderstorms are common from June through September, some contractors prefer same-day delivery to avoid weather exposure to staged materials. For tile roofs, materials may arrive 3 to 5 days early because of the larger volume involved.
Can a boom truck damage my driveway?
Yes. Boom trucks weigh 25,000 to 40,000 pounds when loaded with roofing materials. This weight can crack thin or aging concrete driveways, leave ruts in asphalt driveways, and crush paver driveways. In Pinellas County, where many homes have concrete driveways that are 30 to 50 years old, this is a real concern. Your contractor should place plywood sheets under the truck outriggers to distribute the load. Ask your contractor about driveway protection before delivery day and ensure their insurance covers driveway damage.
Can roofing materials be staged on a flat roof in Florida?
Heavy materials should not be staged on flat roofs in Florida without careful structural evaluation. Flat roofs are designed to support distributed loads, not concentrated stacks of shingle bundles. A single pallet of shingles can weigh 2,500 to 3,500 pounds and concentrating that weight in one area can exceed the roof deck capacity. For flat roof projects, materials are typically ground-delivered and carried up as needed during installation.
What if power lines block boom truck access to my roof?
Power lines are the most common obstacle to rooftop delivery in Pinellas County. The boom arm cannot operate within 10 feet of overhead power lines due to OSHA safety regulations and electrocution risk. If power lines cross over your roof or run along the side of your home where the boom truck would need to set up, options include ground delivery with manual carry, requesting a temporary power line disconnect from Duke Energy (which can take 5 to 10 business days and cost $200 to $500), or accessing the roof from the opposite side of the house if clear of obstructions.
Does my HOA restrict when roofing materials can be delivered?
Many Pinellas County HOAs have delivery window restrictions. Common rules include limiting deliveries to weekdays between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, prohibiting deliveries on weekends, requiring that materials not be staged on the property for more than 3 to 5 days before work begins, and mandating that materials be stored out of view from the street when possible. Check your HOA governing documents and share any delivery restrictions with your contractor before scheduling.