Roof replacement day is loud, busy and short. The crew brings the work, but a lot of what makes the day go smoothly is in your hands the night before: a clear driveway, a quiet place for the dog, nothing fragile hanging on the top-floor walls.
This is a practical checklist, room by room and yard by yard. None of it takes long. Most of it is the stuff people wish they'd done after something fell off a shelf.
Driveway, garage and vehicles
The crew needs somewhere to park the bin or trailer and somewhere for the supplier to deliver shingles. That's usually your driveway.
- Move vehicles out of the garage and driveway the night before, and park away from the house. Falling debris and nails don't care what you drive.
- Keep the garage door clear or plan to leave it closed. Garage ceilings shake during tear-off, so cover anything stored on overhead racks.
- If you park on the street, leave room for a delivery truck and don't block neighbours.
- Ask where the bin will sit, and whether boards will go under it to protect the driveway.
Inside the house and the attic
Tear-off sends vibration through the framing, and on older homes, dust and granules can sift through gaps in the attic and ceiling.
- Take down pictures, mirrors and shelves on top-floor walls and any wall shared with the garage.
- Move fragile items off high shelves and mantels.
- Cover belongings stored in the attic with old sheets or tarps, or move them out. Anything under a skylight gets the same treatment.
- Know where your attic hatch is, in case the crew needs to check the underside of the deck.
- Close windows on the work side so dust stays outside.
Pets and kids
A roofing site has ladders, a dumpster, nails, and debris coming off the roof all day. It's no place for a curious kid or a dog who likes to greet strangers.
- Keep pets inside and away from doors to the yard. If yours is bothered by loud noise, a day at a friend's place or daycare can be kinder.
- Tell kids the yard is off limits until the crew says otherwise, and keep toys and bikes out of the drop zone.
- Don't let anyone use a door that opens under the roof edge being worked on.
Yard, garden, pool and AC
The crew will tarp what they can, but you know your yard better than they do.
- Mow the lawn a day or two before. Short grass makes the magnet sweep more effective.
- Move patio furniture, barbecues, planters and garden decor well away from the house.
- Mark sprinkler heads, lighting and anything fragile near the walls.
- Cover or protect the air conditioner, hot tub or pool. Ask the crew to tarp the AC unit rather than set anything on it.
- Tell the crew about any satellite dish, solar panels or security cameras on the roof or walls.
Neighbours, noise and working from home
The noise is the thing people underestimate. Tear-off is loud inside your house and can be heard next door, and nailing carries on once shingling starts.
- Give neighbours a heads-up a few days ahead, with the dates and the fact that there'll be a bin and a delivery truck.
- If the bin, ladders or debris will be close to a shared fence or driveway, ask the neighbour whether they want cars or planters moved.
- Working from home? Plan calls around the tear-off, which is the loudest part, or work somewhere else that day.
- Night-shift sleepers and new babies may want to be elsewhere for the first day.
What to ask the contractor beforehand
Most day-of surprises come from things nobody talked about. The Government of Alberta's advice for hiring contractors is to get everything in a written contract, including the scope, materials, who handles permits, and written approval for any change in cost. It also notes that contractors who take payment before work is done and sell away from their business premises must hold a prepaid contracting licence. Before the crew arrives, get clear answers to these:
- What's the start date and time, and what happens if the weather turns?
- How is damaged roof decking priced, and will I see it before it's covered?
- Where will the bin and materials go, and how will the driveway be protected?
- What's being replaced besides shingles: drip edge, flashing, vents, pipe boots?
- Do you need power, water or access to the attic?
- Who is the crew lead on site, and how do I reach them?
- What does cleanup include, and when is the final walkthrough?
- Can I see your licence and proof of liability insurance? See our credentials for what that looks like.
Should I stay home during a roof replacement?
You don't need to be home all day, but be there at the start to walk the setup and at the end for the walkthrough. Stay reachable in case the crew finds damaged decking that needs a decision.
Do I need to move things in my attic before a roof replacement?
Cover them at least. Tear-off shakes the framing and can knock dust, granules and the odd nail through into the attic. Old sheets or tarps over boxes are enough. Anything valuable is better moved out.
Is it safe to stay in the house during a roof replacement?
Yes, inside is fine. Stay out of the yard on the side being worked on, keep kids and pets away from doors under the roof edge, and don't walk under ladders or near the bin while debris is coming down.
Should I tell my neighbours about my roof replacement?
It's worth it. A short note or knock with the dates, the noise and where the bin will go avoids most complaints, and gives them the chance to move cars or planters near the shared property line.
Where the facts on this page come from. If a source has changed since we last checked, tell us and we'll fix the page.
- Noise on residential properties · City of Calgary
- Hiring a contractor · Government of Alberta