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Key tips for surviving a roof replacement

November 8, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.

By DaVinci Roofscapes.

Get through your re-roofing project easily with these seven tips!

You’ve heard the horror stories from friends. They had roofs replaced and lost their cherished landscaping due to careless roofers. Or their dogs howled the entire time. Or the project took twice the promised time to complete.

Now it’s your turn to get a roof replacement and you’re nervous.

Don’t worry. The DaVinci Roofscapes team has put together a list of survival tips — offered up by experienced roofers — to get you easily through your re-roofing project.

1 - Roofing is a noisy process. Plan ahead and board sensitive pets. And, schedule time away from the house on the busiest of days. If you work from home or need to be there, try to stay on the lowest level of the house. Try noise cancelling headphones or have a good movie in the background to counterbalance the outside noise.

From Ryan Lephart, Great Roofing and Restoration, Ohio

2 - Make sure to remove any interior wall hangings and items on shelves that might be impacted by vibrations from pounding on the roof. Know that the noise will only be for a few days, but it’s constant.

From Mike Brennan, Brennan Exteriors, Wisconsin

3 - Identify Grandma’s prized rose bushes and other cherished landscaping in advance to the roofing team. Make sure to tell the contractor all your specific concerns and needs before installation. They will appreciate it and everyone will be less frustrated.

From Andy Langham, Langham and Sons, Kentucky

4 - Show patience. This is a big project. We try to make it as easy on the homeowner as possible, but some roofing projects can take two to three weeks, so you’ll need to be patient with the noise, people and activity going on. Second, park your car away from the house. You’ll want it to be easily accessible and in a location where it can’t get damaged. And third, if it’s at all possible, take a vacation during the roof installation so you don’t have to deal with the disruption in your lifestyle.

From Jeff McRay, McRay Roofing & Exteriors LLC, Oklahoma

5 - Inform your neighbors about the upcoming roofing installation to manage any potential inconveniences and ensure a smooth process for everyone involved.

From Landon Coggins, Apex Home Solutions, Oregon

6 - There’s a lot going on during a roofing project. In a perfect world, people and animals would not be outside at all during this project. But life can’t stop for a new roof. So, talk to your roofer in advance about the safest way to get in and out of your home. Plan ahead not to use your driveway, because it could be full of nails.

From Brock Cadwallader, Summit Construction Group, Minnesota

7 - Communicate, plan and prepare.

Communicate with your contractor: Establish clear lines of communication. Discuss timelines, expectations and any concerns upfront to avoid misunderstandings.
Plan for dust and debris: Close windows and doors to minimize dust entering your home. Cover items in your attic or near windows to protect them from debris.
Be prepared for delays: Weather can impact roofing schedules. Stay flexible and patient, as delays may occur due to rain or other unforeseen circumstances.
Keep children informed: If you have kids, explain what’s happening to avoid confusion or anxiety. Make sure they understand the area around the home is off-limits during installation.
Discuss clean-up: Clarify with your contractor how debris will be handled. Make sure there’s a plan for cleaning up at the end of each day to keep your yard tidy.