Wait, before the first shingle is lifted, the way you prepare your home for a roofing project can make a difference between a smooth roofing project and a costly, chaotic repair.
Roofing accidents are way more common than you’d think, over 50 roofers die each year in the U.S., and thousands are injured, according to residential roofing companies. This mostly happens because of poor planning, loose debris, and overlooked hazards.
Homeowners often miss little but very crucial things, like moving their car out of the driveway, then find their windshield covered in shingles.
Things are more hectic if you work from home or have pets, because a roofing job can feel like you are living in a construction zone.
As someone who’s been around roofing projects for years, I will break down what to expect, what to avoid, and how you can make this process as hassle free as possible.
Why prepare before roofing project?
Roofing projects are a serious matter, and lack of preparation can lead to unnecessary stress, property damage, and even serious injuries.
Most people tend to forget or just leave their patio furniture outside, only to find it covered in nails and broken shingles.
In the worst case scenario, your lack of preparation can also impact the workers and cause mishaps. This is why preparing before a roofing project is important.
Falls from roofs make up for one-third of all construction-related deaths in the U.S. and that too each year.
This could be avoided with proper planning and focusing on things like clearing work areas, securing power lines, and simply letting everyone in the house know what’s happening, can make a difference. Everyone is responsible for each other’s safety during a roofing process.
Let’s not forget, a roofing job is not that simple, it means you have to prepare yourself for dust, debris, and constant noise.
If you have kids or pets, that’s something to consider as well, you don’t want to chase panicked dogs.
This has happened a lot because animals have much more sensitive hearing than us. A little preparation now can help you prevent such scenarios and lots of headaches later on.
Preparation tips before roofing replacement
Getting a new roof isn’t just about hiring a crew and letting them do their thing, and that’s it, you are done. No, it’s not that simple.
Preparation is very important and if you don’t prepare, you’re in for a stressful ride, damaged property, annoyed neighbors, and a whole lot of unnecessary chaos.
Decide whether you want to stay in or outside of the home
Roofing work isn’t quiet, it takes hours of hammering, drilling, and constant footsteps above your head. So if you work from home, have kids, or just value your peace, staying inside might not be the best idea.
Other than the noise, there’s also lots of dust and vibrations you will have to deal with. Things on shelves can shake loose, and the attic will become all dusty. And if you or someone in your family have allergies or asthma, that’s another concern to consider.
It would be best to stay outside for some time until the roofing process is done. You can go to a café, visit a friend, or rent out a place to stay.
If you have no choice but to stay, pick a room far from the work zone, use noise-canceling headphones (if you have), and brace yourself for what’s about to happen.
And, don’t forget about pets, their hearing is more sensitive than ours so they hear everything ten times louder than we do. It would be great if you just drop them at your friend’s family’s place until the roofing project is done.
Clear the surrounding
Roofing work isn’t just loud, it’s all chaos and huge mess. It’s a scene where hammers pounding, nail guns firing, workers moving around, all at the same time.
For pets, especially dogs and cats, this can be quite terrifying. Some might hide, some might bark nonstop, and others could even try to escape.
If you can, take them somewhere quiet for the day, a friend’s house, a pet daycare, or even a cozy room with music playing to drown out the noise.
If they must stay home, set up a safe space away from the work area. Close the blinds, turn on a fan or TV, and give them their favorite toys or blankets.
With workers going in and out, keeping doors and gates secure is a must. Make sure the area is clear and there’s nothing laying around that can cause trouble to the workers and delay the process. These are small things but can go a long way in keeping everyone safe and calm.
Move your vehicles out
Leaving your car in the driveway during a roofing job is not a great decision. Falling debris, nails, and dust can easily scratch or ruin the car paint or worse, crack the windshield.
Also, with your vehicles in the way, workers will not be able to move materials properly, which will cause delay in the work process.
The best thing you can do is park it somewhere safe, ask your neighbor if you can park your car in their driveway (if they’re cool with it), or you can rent a space in a nearby parking lot. You can also park it in your garage, but keep in mind, you might not be able to get in or out easily during the job.
Once roofing is done, take a moment to inspect the driveway for stray nails before pulling your car back in. A flat tire is the last thing you need after dealing with all that noise.
Inform your neighbors
Nobody likes waking up to the sound of hammering or finding their driveway blocked without warning. That’s why informing your neighbours about your roofing project isn’t just polite, it’s the right thing to do.
Let them know when the work starts and how long it might last, also the noise, dust, and extra vehicles that might be around for some time. If they have kids, pets, or work from home, they’ll appreciate this and can also plan ahead for it.
A simple chat, text, or note on their door is all it takes. No need to overthink, just a quick “Hey, we’re getting a new roof next week, so it might be noisy. Let me know if you need anything” goes a long way.
With this gesture, they’ll be more understanding when the hammering starts and also can help you out when you need help or something.
Check power connections
Now before the roofers start doing their work, check your power and satellite connections. You don’t want a sudden power outage or a damaged cable messing up your internet and TV.
If you have a satellite dish, it would be best to remove it before work begins. You can call your provider, they will be able to help you out. Also, don’t forget to check if any power lines are too close to where the roofers will be working, if they are, call your utility company for advice or assistance.
Inside the house, unplug anything sensitive to power surges, like computers and TVs. If there are exterior power outlets near where the workers will be, consider switching them off to prevent accidents. Get these things done first for a smooth and hassle free roofing project.
Plan the waste disposal
Roofing projects create a ton of waste, old shingles, nails, debris, and so much more. It might seem like a lot to handle because it is, but trust me, you don’t want to ignore it or think you can deal with it later. Proper disposal isn’t just good, it’s a legal requirement.
If you don’t dispose of the waste properly or throw it in the wrong place, you will be fined, or worse, you will get trapped in a legal mess you didn’t expect.
It’s always best to arrange for proper removal, which can save you the trouble with your local authorities. It’s better than getting a notice from legal authorities for improper disposal.
You can rent a dumpster, or your roofer might have a plan for handling it. Either way, don’t leave it to chance. It’s not just about keeping your yard clean, it’s about doing things the right way.
How long does a roofing project take?
Well, it really depends on several factors like the size of the house size, roof type, the weather, and the scope of the project itself.
If it’s just replacing shingles, then it will be quicker than a full overhaul that includes decking and insulation. The more complicated the job is, the longer it’ll take.
From my own experience, a typical roofing project on a 2,000 sq. ft. house usually takes about 3 to 5 days.
This is if we’re simply replacing the shingles with the same materials and there aren’t any major surprises along the way, like rotten wood or unexpected leaks.
But if it involves structural repairs or upgrading insulation, then it could stretch out to a week or more.
One of the most important things you can do is communicate with your contractor. Before the project starts have an honest conversation about the timeline.
Ask them questions like: “How long do you think this will take?” “Are there any factors that could delay things?” and “What will happen if there’s bad weather?” You want to have realistic expectations, and clear communication can help you clear any doubts you have.
Conclusion
We’ve covered a lot in this guide! We talked about the steps that you can take before starting your roofing project, like moving your vehicles, informing neighbors, checking power connections, and planning for a proper waste disposal.
Each of these details may look small but plays a huge role in making sure the job goes smoothly without any delay.
Planning ahead is never too bad, this way you can save yourself from a lot of headaches and unexpected surprises. This way the work will be done safely without any hassle.
If you’ve got your own tips or experiences to share, we’d love to hear them!
If you are a seasoned professional or a beginner, your insights can really help others who are going through the same thing. Let’s build a community of shared knowledge!
