A roof replacement is loud, dusty, and busy, but a little preparation the day before makes it go far more smoothly and protects your belongings from the vibration and falling debris. Here is a practical checklist, inside and out, to get your home ready before the crew shows up.
Outside the house
The yard is where most of the action happens, so clear it and protect it:
- Move all vehicles out of the driveway and garage the night before, since materials sometimes arrive at dawn and nails end up everywhere. Park on the street or a neighbor's drive.
- Give the crew a clearance of about 15 feet around the house for ladders, the dumpster, and material staging.
- Move or cover the grill, patio furniture, potted plants, and kids' play equipment, and cover a pool or hot tub.
- Trim any overhanging branches and mow the lawn short, which makes the final nail cleanup easier.
- Unlock gates, and point out and protect the AC unit and any delicate landscaping.
Inside the house
The hammering and tear-off send vibration through the whole house, so protect what can fall or get dusty:
- Take down wall decorations, mirrors, and framed photos, and check ceiling fixtures, especially on the top floor.
- Move fragile items off open shelves.
- In the attic, cover stored boxes and belongings with old sheets or drop cloths to catch falling dust and debris.
- Keep the windows closed while the work is going on.
People and pets
The noise is constant and the yard is a hazard zone, so plan for the people and animals in the house. Keep kids and pets indoors and away from the work, and if you have anxious pets, an infant napping, or calls to take, consider being out during the loudest part, which is the tear-off.
Logistics
- Clear the driveway for the dumpster and the material delivery.
- Point out a working outdoor power outlet, or leave a door cracked near an interior one.
- Give your neighbors a couple of days' notice about the noise.
- If you have a satellite dish or solar panels, ask whether they need a specialist to detach and reattach, and note where your septic or well is so heavy equipment avoids it.
Confirm the crew is insured before day one
Make sure your roofer carries liability insurance and workers compensation, and that it is current, before any work starts. It protects you if something goes wrong on your property.
That coverage check is a five-minute step with big consequences. See how to verify a roofer is licensed and insured.
“An hour of prep the day before saves a broken mirror, a scratched car, and a lot of stress. Clear the yard, protect the walls, and plan for the noise.”
What happens next
With the house ready, it helps to know how the day itself unfolds and how long it takes. See what to expect during a roof replacement and how long a roof replacement takes, and if you are wondering whether you need to be there, do you have to be home during a roof replacement.
With Hommy you can post your job once and get quotes from vetted, insured local roofers, each with real ratings from other homeowners, so the crew that arrives is one you can trust with your home.
