The order matters more than the materials.

No contractor owns the cross-trade sequence. Doing siding before the roof means tearing into new siding for flashing later. This is the canonical order that protects what you pay for.

Phase 1 of 6

Roof

Trade: Roofer
Timing: Always first. 1 to 3 days on site.

Roof flashing tucks behind siding. If siding goes first, roofers later cut into the new siding. Destroyed work, voided warranties.

Phase 2 of 6

Windows and doors

Trade: Window or door installer
Timing: Before or alongside siding. 1 to 3 days.

Openings before siding so the moisture barrier and capping integrate. After siding means visible trim issues and paying twice for wrap labour.

Phase 3 of 6

Siding and cladding

Trade: Siding crew
Timing: After roof and openings. 3 to 7 days.

Seal the envelope only after the roof and openings are set. Done early, everything else cuts into your new wall.

Phase 4 of 6

Paint and trim

Trade: Painter
Timing: After the envelope is closed. 2 to 5 days.

Paint and trim after the envelope is closed. Earlier and it gets damaged or over-painted by later trades.

Phase 5 of 6

Gutters and drainage

Trade: Roofer or gutter specialist
Timing: With or just after the roof. About 1 day.

Drainage failures end up being foundation problems. Tie this to the roof phase so the crew that owns the water path also owns the path off the house.

Phase 6 of 6

Decks and landscape

Trade: Carpenter and landscaper
Timing: Always last. Variable.

Roofing and siding crews, ladders, dumpsters destroy new plantings and hardscape. Holding this until the end is non-negotiable.

Annotations

Patterns to refuse

Note

Siding before roof

Refuse. The roofer will tear into your new siding for flashing.

Note

Paint before envelope is closed

Refuse. The next trade will damage or over-paint your fresh work.

Note

Landscape or deck in parallel

Hold to the end. Crews and dumpsters will crush new plantings and hardscape.