How To Prepare Your Home For a Roof Replacement

A roof replacement at your home is always stressful but worth the time, money, and effort spent upgrading your house. Your family is protected for many years, and the value of your property is maintained, if not increased. Bob Harvey Roofing knows how to roof a house, and after installing the new roof, a management team member does the final quality inspection. Not only do we supervise all crews when roofing a home, we also document and photograph every project. Here are some practical suggestions on how to prepare for a roof replacement.

Keep Kids and Pets Safe

Children and pets might feel anxious during a new roof installation due to the noise level and the fact that there are strangers on the property. When you know how long the new roof replacement will take, decide whether you will stay at home or go somewhere else during the construction period. If you choose to stay at home, keep the pets and children inside, and comfortable. It is advisable to tell the kids what is happening and why they must stay inside.

Relocate Cars and Outdoor Furniture

Redoing a roof means construction and delivery vehicles will be in front of and inside your property. Installation crews also need a safe space to move around outside the home. When possible, relocate personal vehicles a safe distance away from your property the night before the roofing team arrives. 

Store outdoor furniture, grills, potted plants, and lawn ornaments in a garage or shed. If it is not possible to store them inside, move the items to the furthest part of the property from the house. Then the risk of damage is less, and the contractors are safe from obvious tripping hazards.     

Remove Wall Decorations

During a home roof replacement, there are always vibrations caused by construction tools. Although these movements will not damage the house walls, it might cause any unsecured mirrors, paintings, or ornaments to fall. Before the roofing contractors arrive, walk through the rooms on the level below your roof. Pack precious heirlooms and paintings away. Protect mirrors, chandeliers and other light fixtures that cannot be moved.

Identify Accessible Power Outlets

One of the things to consider when replacing a roof is that the roofing crew will need access to electrical outlets. Preferably outside the home, but a garage outlet is also acceptable. Walk around the house the week before, and ensure outlets are easily accessible. If the only available electrical outlets are inside the home, choose an area with little foot traffic as extension cords can be a tripping hazard.

Move Antennas and Satellite Dishes

Contact your cable or satellite provider to have antennas and satellite dishes removed before the new roofing is done. Once the project is completed, they need to be reinstalled and recalibrated. Remember to include this cost into your budget for the roof replacement, separate from the roofing company contract. 

Replace or Repair the Gutters

A roof replacement is an investment, and it makes sense to have the gutters replaced at the same time unless they are brand new. If the gutters are still in a good condition, and deemed suitable by the roofing contractor, have them reinstalled on the new roof. 

Inform Your Neighbors of the Project Beforehand

Inform your neighbors of the roofing work to be done on your home. Let them know on which dates it is scheduled, what the expected working hours are, and make the necessary arrangements if construction vehicles need to stand in front of or close to their property. When the buildings are close to each other, ask your neighbors if they are comfortable with the roofing team entering their property to remove any materials that might fall.

Bob Harvey Roofing is a professional roofing contractor serving Northern Utah and believes in roofing done right. We have been in business for more than thirty years, are licensed, and fully insured. We are also a member of the Utah Roofing Contractors Association (URCA). Does your home need a roof replacement? Contact Bob Harvey Roofing today.