Roof Installation Checklist: 7 Things to Complete Before Your Roof Replacement
Loose shingles, leaks, and mold growing in the attic are all classic signs that you require a new roof. But after you’ve recognized the signs and want to install a new roof, what do you need to do to prepare for a new roof installation?
When you are in the process of buying a new roof, things can seem more complicated than they really are – leading to frustration and high emotions that can make the process of upgrading your home less enjoyable.
Rescue My Roof has been helping property owners throughout the Milwaukee area successfully prepare for their roof install for a decade. We hear the same question over and over again: “What do I have to do before a roof replacement?”
A part of our process has been to walk clients through a checklist of things they should anticipate: and we’re here to share that same checklist with you.
By the end of this roof installation checklist, you should feel enlightened and empowered to begin your role in the roof replacement process. And hopefully, you will no longer feel that worry and frustration that can often get in your way of feeling at peace with the roofing process.
Rescue My Roof has created a downloadable roof installation checklist you can download at the end of the article. Or, if you’re ready, here are seven things that you should do before a new roof installation to make the process easier on yourself:
1. Look Into Financing Options
Worrying about finances and money sucks, so to forgo worrying about it for long, you can look into financing options ahead of time.
Financing options allow you to pay for your roof in installments so that you do not have to pay for your roof in full. This is an excellent option for funding, as most people don’t have thousands of dollars saved up specifically for a roof replacement.
Financing options can include credit cards, home equity loans, personal loans, and more. There are six main ways you can obtain financing for your new roof.
However, don’t fret if you can’t look into financing options or obtain them before your estimation appointment. This step is entirely for your peace of mind. It is not required that you look into them ahead of time. Financing is only required before the actual work starts on your roof- not the estimation appointment.
Additionally, many roofing contractors offer financing through their companies. So when you go through your initial estimate appointment, they can walk you through the financing they offer.
2. Mow the Grass
As a homeowner, you can do a few things ahead of time to make the contractor’s job a lot easier.
The first step is to mow the grass. Not only does this make the job easier, but it also makes clean up after the roof replacement a lot more thorough.
When your contractors are in the process of cleaning up, they often use magnetic rollers to pick up fallen nails and other miscellaneous metal pieces around your yard.
If the grass is too long, the roller could get stuck on the blades of grass, making cleaning up a lot more complicated. And at the end, there could be missed nails that wouldn’t otherwise be left.
This could be a safety issue for you and your family, so it is best to mow the grass ahead of time to avoid any issues.
3. Move All Lawn Ornaments and Patio Furniture
Lawn ornaments and patio furniture make your home look put together from the outside. They add personality and character to spaces seen by the public eye.
They add personal value to your home – and roofing contractors don’t want to mess any of that up. That is why it is in your best interest to move all lawn ornaments and furniture to safety before a roof replacement.
During a roof installation, debris falls from the roof, meaning that your patio furniture could get torn, stained, or covered in dust and dirt.
Want to keep your patio furniture in prime condition? We recommended covering it with a tarp and moving it out of the way of the roofing crews.
Lawn ornaments like gnomes and garden lights should also be moved for their protection. Not only could they get broken in the roof installation process, but they could limit accessibility to the roof.
These things are best kept in a garage or shed for everyone’s sake until the roof installation is complete.
4. Make Arrangements for Pets and Children
Roof replacements can come with a lot of loud noises and vibrations. While these should only occur for a day or two depending on the job’s complexity, if pets or kids are sensitive to loud noises, exposure to noises in the home should be limited.
For the safety and comfort of children and pets, it may be ideal to find an alternative setting for them, whether it be with a babysitter, at the park, or a daycare.
Additionally, while it is ideal that the homeowners be present during a roof replacement, it is not required. So if you wanted to plan a day with them away from the house until the loud noises settle, that is an additional option.
5. Take Valuables Off of Interior Walls
Imagine: you’ve spent countless hours straightening picture frames filled with memories and photos of your grand-pappy. Your staircase is now Pinterest perfection.
And then you get a new roof, and there’s the potential that the vibrations can cause all of your hard work to come crashing to the ground.
Your photos and other memorabilia gracing the walls of your home are precious and should be preserved. So when the time comes for a roof replacement, consider taking them off of the walls to prevent any damage.
6. Move Vehicles
With any roof installation, there has to be a place for all of the old materials and debris to go. This is commonly a dumpster or a specialized truck that can hold all the garbage until the end of the installation.
Many roofing companies will prefer, for accessibility purposes, that the dumpster or truck be parked in a driveway so that it can be closer to the home without damaging the lawn.
This allows contractors to throw old materials directly into the dumpster from the roof and minimize ground cleanup.
Additionally, with debris falling from the roof, vehicles could be scratched, dented, or endure other damage.
To give the contractors as much accessibility as possible and protect your belongings, please move all vehicles into a garage or park them in another safe location.
7. Check-In With HOAs or Historical Associations
If you live in a place with a Home Owner’s Association (HOA) or a historical district, this step is necessary for you.
Many HOAs have a standard for how they want homes to look. This means there are rules in place about what colors and materials can be used on the exterior of your home.
If these rules are not followed, you could be fined or issued an order to fix it, costing you additional money. It is best not to repeat the roofing process again and check in with them beforehand to make sure everything is approved.
The same goes for historic districts. If you live in a historic property, there are rules to follow to ensure the home maintains its historic status. There are certain materials, colors, styles, and processes that must be followed to maintain the home’s integrity.
Before the roof installation begins, check in with your historical association and make sure that all of the considered materials like shingles are approved before the work begins.
If you live in the greater Milwaukee area and are unsure of whether your home is a historic property, you can check its status here.
Get Started On Your New Roof Installation Today
You’ve got the roof installation checklist and the information you need, and now it’s time to get started.
Are you ready to dive into a new roof installation? If you live in the greater Milwaukee area, you can contact Rescue My Roof today to schedule your free roof inspection and estimate.
Or, if you still want to do a little more research, continue your roofing education with these two articles: “How Much Does a Roof Replacement Cost” or “What To Expect At Your Roof Estimation Appointment” to gather more information on what a roof replacement entails.
Do you suspect you need a roof replacement? Download the “7 signs you need a roof replacement checklist” by clicking the button below!