Preparing for a roof replacement mostly means making room, protecting what is inside and outside the house, and expecting that weather and material deliveries can move the schedule. Clear the driveway, take fragile items off the walls and out of the attic, protect plants and outdoor items, and plan for noise, pets and a flexible start date.
What should I do a week before?
A little planning avoids most day-one surprises. A week ahead, handle these:
- Confirm the plan. Ask your roofer for the scope, the materials, the start window and how they will tell you about delays. Our page on how long a roof replacement takes explains typical stages.
- Check the HOA. If you have one, confirm shingle and color approval in writing before ordering.
- Ask about permits. Requirements vary by city and county, so ask the building department or your roofer who is responsible.
- Tell your neighbors. A short heads-up about noise and dumpster placement is appreciated.
- Talk to your lender or agent if relevant. If a loss is involved, read your policy and ask your agent about timelines and paperwork.
How do I prepare the driveway and yard?
Crews need room to drop material and park equipment. Take these steps the day before:
| Area | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway and street frontage | Move vehicles out, including from the street directly in front if asked | Space for a dumpster, trailer or material delivery |
| Around the house | Move patio furniture, grills, planters, toys and decorations at least several feet from the walls | Falling debris and nails land there |
| Garden beds and shrubs | Ask the crew about covering plants and trimming back branches that touch the roof | Protects landscaping and gives crews room to work |
| Gates and access paths | Unlock gates and clear routes | Crews and equipment need access around the house |
| Trampoline, pool covers, AC units | Cover or protect them, or talk to the crew about it | Shingle debris can damage them |
| Sprinkler heads and lighting | Mark them if you want them avoided | Heavy equipment may roll over them |
Expect a magnet sweep of the yard after the job to pick up stray nails. Ask your roofer about it ahead of time.
How do I prepare the attic and inside the house?
Tear-off knocks dust and debris through the house, and the pounding rattles walls.
- Clear the attic floor. Remove stored items, or cover them with plastic or sheets. Dust, old insulation and bits of decking can fall through gaps.
- Take things off walls and shelves. Vibrations can shake pictures, mirrors and knick-knacks, especially on upper floors and under the roof line.
- Cover furniture and belongings in rooms with attic hatches or just under the roof.
- Protect light fixtures and ceiling fans if the ceiling is close to the roof deck.
- Check the attic access. Make sure the hatch is clear so crews, or an inspector, can see inside if needed.
- Plan for noise. If someone works from home, sleeps late or has a new baby, consider spending the day elsewhere.
What about pets and kids?
Pets can bolt when it is loud and strangers are moving around. Plan for them in advance:
- Keep dogs and cats in a quiet interior room or arrange for them to be away from the house.
- Keep doors closed on work days so animals do not slip out while crews move equipment.
- Keep children and visitors out of the work zone. Falling debris and nails make the yard unsafe.
- Let the crew know about pets, gates and any special risks.
How should I plan around weather and delivery delays?
This is the part of a roof schedule no one controls. Rain, wind, heat and cold all affect when a crew can work, and material deliveries are another variable. Our owner, Jeremy Hays, notes that some days a shingle delivery does not arrive and the day gets reshuffled to other work. Another time, light rain moved through and the crew tarped and still finished the roof. We tell people to treat the start date as a window and not a promise.
What helps:
- Ask how the roofer decides to go or not go when the forecast is iffy.
- Ask how they protect the roof if rain interrupts. See our page on rain during roof replacement.
- Keep your calendar loose for a few days on either side of the start date.
- Ask who tells you about delays and how, by call or text.
- Keep indoor items covered until the roof is fully dried in.
What should I do the day of the job?
Be reachable in the first hour, walk the property with the foreman to agree on access, dumpster placement and what to protect, keep pets and children inside, and stay out of the debris zone.
What should I do afterward?
Walk the yard with the foreman to check for stray nails, ask for photos of the finished roof, and keep your contract and warranty documents together. See also new gutters with a new roof.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be home during the replacement? Not always, but being reachable helps, especially on the first day. Ask your roofer what they prefer.
Should I move my cars? Usually yes, out of the driveway and often off the street directly in front. Ask your roofer where the dumpster and trailer will go.
Will the weather push back my start date? It can. Rain, wind and extreme temperatures all affect scheduling, as do deliveries.
Do I need to pay before work begins? Terms differ by contractor, so read the agreement before you sign.
Should I take photos beforehand? Yes. Photos of the yard, attic and driveway are a useful baseline.
Talk to us about your roof
If you are planning a roof replacement, Total Roof Protection OKC can inspect your roof and talk through the scope and timing. Call 405-415-5841 to schedule an inspection. See our services.