What to Expect During a Roofing Project

Any construction project for your home can be an inconvenience. Knowing what to expect during a roofing project can make the process easier for you, your neighbors, and the contractors.

Inside your home:

1. Light fixtures, ceiling fans, and any ceiling mounted items may be damaged by a roofing project. Ask your contractor about which items should be taken down during the project. In many cases the workers will assist you in removing the items to prevent damage to them during the roofing project.
   
2. Fragile items on the walls, such as pictures and mirrors, may move or even fall. Remove these items to ensure their safety during the project.

Outside your home:

1. Traffic will increase due to supplies being delivered, workers arriving and leaving, and dump trucks removing debris. Warn your neighbors of the additional traffic as a courtesy.
   
2. Expect lots of noise, depending on the type of roof being installed. Talk to your contractor about what you can expect for your particular roofing project. Especially during summer months, workers will start early and stay late (to optimize work during the cool hours of the day).
   
3. Pieces of old and new roofing materials will fall around the house. Protect special or fragile plants and landscaping ahead of time and talk with the contractor about your concerns. Ask him/her to sign a document stating that he/she is aware of the plants and items of concern.
   
4. Erosion and damage to your yard will most certainly occur if there is not a direct access (e.g. a driveway) to your roof. Once again, talk to the contractor about your concerns and what he/she will do to protect your lawn and yard during the project. Despite everyone's best efforts, most likely, some damage will occur, but it can be kept to a minimum.
   
5. Protect your sprinkler system by clearly marking the sprinkler heads with red tape or string so that the workers can see them without difficulty.