Create the Plan

• 1). Contact a builder or architect to formulate a design. He starts with a floor plan with elevations added to give a general idea of shape and choice of material.
  
  
• 2). Interview several contractors. Base your choice on work ethic, previous experience and compatibility as well as price. Provide tools and hire skilled labor for shingling. The saltbox style is simple enough for the do-it-yourself builder to tackle herself as well.
  
  
• 3). Choose the materials based on your budget and how long you need the roof to last. The climate should be your first consideration. Certain materials aren't workable for extreme weather.
  
  
• 4). Calculate the roof area. Measure the roof physically and round up in square feet. If walking your roof is impossible, awkward or dangerous, estimate footage from the ground and correct for slope. Add 10 percent for waste. Divide by 100 to get the number of square feet. Round up and use this number to figure out costs and material needs. Purchase and arrange for delivery of materials.
  
  
• 5). Check your insurance policy for liability coverage and check with your state for worker's compensation requirements. If you hire day laborers or specialists, you may need to withhold and file payroll taxes.
  
  

Construct the Roof

• 1). Prepare the job site. Cover plants, AC units and any other areas. Rent a dumpster. Create a platform for tools.
  
  
• 2). Cut the ridge board to the length of the building. Measure common rafters for the A, or longer side and cut to the same length. Do the same for the B, or shorter side.
  
  
• 3). Nail common rafters on the A side of the ridge beam at each end. Raise the ridge into position and nail two rafters on the B side. Push the ridge up until the birdsmouth lines up to the top plates of the walls. Remember, saltbox rafters extend over the walls. Nail the rafters in place.
  
  
• 4). Add the common rafters to the A side of the roof, lining up with the wall studs for sturdiness. Repeat with the B side rafters.
  
  
• 5). Lay your chosen sheathing material across the rafters and nail into place.
  
  
• 6). Stock the shingling or other finishing material on the sheath, distributing the weight across the length of the roof. Lay the undercoating and finish your roof with shingling.