Can you stay in your house during a roof replacement?

Most families stay in their home while the roof is replaced. You keep your kitchen, bathrooms and beds. What changes is the noise, the comings and goings, and a few small jobs to get the house ready. Here is what to expect and what to ask.

What the days are like

A roof replacement is loud. Old tiles or sheets come off, new battens and sheets go on, and there is cutting and drilling through the day. Work usually starts in the morning and finishes in the afternoon, so evenings are quiet.

You will see a skip bin or trailer for the old roof, materials delivered to the site and the crew moving around the house. The roof is the work area, so it is off limits until the job is finished.

Some people choose to be out for the loudest days, for example:

• Families with a new baby
• Shift workers who sleep during the day
• People who work from home and take calls
• Anyone with a pet that is upset by noise

Getting the house ready

A few simple steps make the job easier for everyone:

1. Clear the roof space of anything valuable or fragile. Dust and old debris can fall into the ceiling space when the old roof is removed.
2. Take pictures off walls on the top floor and put away delicate items on high shelves. Hammering on the roof can shake them.
3. Move cars, outdoor furniture and pot plants away from the edges of the house and the driveway.
4. Plan for pets. Keep them inside or away from the work area, and close gates the crew needs to use.
5. Tell your neighbours the dates. A skip bin and deliveries can affect the street for a few days.

Questions to ask before you sign

A good roofer will answer these clearly and put the main points in writing:

• How is the house protected from rain? The work should be planned so the house is not left open overnight, and open areas should be covered before rain arrives.
• What are the working hours? Ask when work starts and finishes each day.
• What access is needed? Ask about the driveway, side paths, gates and where the bin will go.
• What happens to the old roof? It should be taken away, not left on site.
• What does the clean-up include? Ask whether the gutters, yard and driveway are cleaned at the end, and whether you get a walk-through of the finished roof.

Solar, aerials and air conditioning

If you have solar panels, we take them off before the roof is replaced and put them back afterwards. A licensed electrician disconnects and reconnects the system. Our guide on solar panels and a re-roof explains how that works.

Aerials, satellite dishes and some air conditioning units also sit on or pass through the roof. Mention them at the inspection so they are allowed for in the quote.

If you would rather not be home

Some owners plan a few days away while the noisiest part of the job is done. If you do, make sure the crew can reach the areas they need and that someone can be contacted if a question comes up.

Talk it through

Every house is different. At the free inspection Ethan looks at your roof and the site and explains how the job would run. You then get a written quote that sets out the scope and price.