A roof replacement is a big home improvement project. Because of this, some homeowners want to stay home during the process.
But is this a good idea? Can you even do it? More importantly, should you?
For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners understand what to expect after they sign their estimate. That’s why I’ll break down what you need to know about staying home during a roof replacement.
This article answers the following questions:
- Should I stay home during a roof replacement?
- What should I do if I decide to stay home during a roof replacement?
Should I stay home during a roof replacement?
It’s completely up to you if you want to stay home during your roof replacement. Whether you want to be there to check progress, make sure it’s being properly installed, or want to be able to ask questions if they come up, a roofer should have no issue with you staying home.
Just be warned, a roof replacement is a loud project, especially if you’re getting your new installed using hand-nailing. But no matter the installation method, the entire process will be noisy inside your home.
Now, the noise will be a little muffled on the first floor if you have a two-story home. However, it’s impossible to fully escape the noise.
While it’s your choice, any local, reputable roofing contractor will recommend leaving on the day of your roof replacement. And I definitely recommend leaving if you work from home and have meetings throughout the day.
What should I do if I decide to stay home during a roof replacement?
You now know you can stay home during a roof replacement, but it’s not necessarily recommended. Everyone’s noise tolerance and situation are different, so it’s truly your decision.
But if you do decide to stay home, there are some things you need to do before the day of your roof replacement. In fact, there are also things you should generally do, whether you’re staying home or not.
Let’s look at what you should do if you decide to stay home during a roof replacement.
Take important things down before the roof replacement process begins
Vibrations go throughout your home (more severely with the hand-nailing installation method) when installing your roof. That’s why I recommend removing valuable, important, or irreplaceable items on the walls or shelves until your roof replacement is completed.
There’s no guarantee vibrations will knock something down, but it’s better to be safe with things you deem important or valuable. This is especially true considering some roofing contractors include a clause in their contract clearing them of any liability for any damaged property.
Stay out of the way when your roof is being replaced
A roof replacement is a messy and chaotic project, especially during the tear-off process. The crew can’t see over the edge of the roof to know if you or someone else is walking around when throwing debris off.
Now, they shouldn’t throw roofing debris by your door or other entrances. However, if you stand by or near the gutter line, there’s a possibility you could be hit with some debris.
That’s why it’s absolutely crucial to stay out of the way as much as possible for your safety. The good thing is that a roofing contractor should let you know the areas to avoid while tearing off your roof and throughout the rest of the roof replacement process.
Move your vehicles out of the driveway or garage
Your driveway will have a dump truck/trailer and other vehicles in it on the day of your roof replacement. That’s why you need to move your vehicle(s) before your contractor shows up to avoid getting blocked in, whether you plan to leave or not.
This is to give you a clear out if you can’t handle the noise, an emergency arises, or you just have errands to run. If you want or need to leave after the process has started, the project will stop to move everything out of the way and clear the driveway of debris and nails.
This slows down the process and can lead to your roof replacement taking longer to complete than originally expected.
Think about how your pets react to loud noises
This next thing (and the one after) is something you need to do before a roof replacement, whether you’re staying home or not. Just like you need to think about how the noise affects you, you also need to consider your pets.
Cats seem to be more affected than dogs, but you know your pet better than anyone else. If they don't like thunderstorms or fireworks, I guarantee the constant banging and pounding will stress them out.
You also have to consider how dogs, especially, handle random people walking around your property all day. That’s why I recommend finding somewhere for them to go on the day of your roof replacement if you think any part of the roof replacement will drive your pets crazy.
Inspect your property the day or morning before the roof replacement begins
The day before your roof replacement, I recommend inspecting your property and taking pictures of existing damage (torn window screens, damaged light fixtures, etc.). You should do this before a roof replacement, no matter what.
You should also take general pictures of your property as proof if you find something damaged after the roof replacement process. A reputable roofing contractor does everything in their power to protect your property, but mistakes happen.
And if something was damaged, they’ll own up to it and take care of the issue at no charge. Just remember that some roofing contractors put clauses in their contracts stating they’re not liable for any damage caused during the project.
What happens during the roof replacement process?
Now, you know that it’s your decision to stay home during a roof replacement. If you decide to stay home, do the things I mentioned above and I’m confident you’ll have a smooth experience.
However, that doesn’t take away the concern homeowners have when they see the chaos and mess that comes with a roof replacement. That’s why you need to know what to actually expect when the crew arrives at your home.
Check out the 8-Step Process to Replace Your Roof to learn what happens on the day your new roof is installed.
