A roof replacement adds value to your home and is necessary when the existing roof has aged out or sustained serious damage. It is also a noisy, multi-day project that affects every part of the house, even the parts you forget about. Here is the prep list we walk homeowners through.
1. Take Anything Fragile Off the Walls
The walls will vibrate during tear-off and again during the install. That is normal. It also means anything hanging on the walls (pictures, mirrors, framed art, shadowboxes) should come down. Shelves with delicate items, like glassware or ceramics, should be cleared. Plan one slow pass through the house room by room. Reach the high stuff first since that vibrates the most.
2. Move Vehicles and Bikes Away from the House
Tear-off debris, falling shingles, and the occasional dropped tool happen on every job, no matter how careful the crew. Park cars across the street or down the block, and move bikes off the patio. Keep clear of the driveway and the immediate foundation perimeter. We will be staging dumpsters and material near the work.
3. Have Satellite Dishes or Solar Panels Professionally Removed
If you have a dish or solar panels on the roof, the installer who put them up needs to take them down. Many solar contracts void the warranty if anyone else handles the panels. Call your installer at least two weeks ahead to schedule the removal and reinstall around the roof project.
4. Consider a Day Out for Pets and Small Kids
The noise will be substantial. Dogs and cats find it stressful, and small children rarely nap through a tear-off. If you can arrange a day at a friend’s house, a dog daycare, or the grandparents’, everyone has a better day. We can usually give you 24 to 48 hours’ notice on the install start so you can plan.
5. Cover or Clear the Attic
The attic is the most disrupted space inside the house. Debris from nail backs and shingle dust can sift through the deck. If you store valuables in the attic, drape them with cheap plastic sheeting or move them down for the day. Anything glass or genuinely irreplaceable should not be in the path of a possible falling hammer.
6. Prune Overhanging Branches
If trees overhang the roof, have them pruned a week or two before the replacement. The crew works faster and safer without branches in the way, and the new roof itself will last longer if it is not catching leaves and abrasion in every storm.
7. Walk the Perimeter
The day before, walk all the way around the house and look up. Move large planters, yard art, lawn furniture, hose reels, and anything else within ten feet of the foundation. Clear the area where the crew will set up ladders. Trim back bushes that block ladder access. The more clear space we have, the faster the install goes.
What Bert Roofing Handles
We bring tarps for the landscaping, magnets to sweep the yard for nails afterward, and our own dumpster. We coordinate the inspection, the crew, the city permits if applicable, and the warranty registration. Your project manager will walk you through any specific prep needs the day you sign the contract.
To schedule a free inspection and written estimate, call us at (214) 239-2699 or request a quote online.
