You signed the contract, the shingles are ordered and the crew shows up in a few days. Now what? Most homeowners have never been home for a roof replacement before, and nobody tells them it is loud, that nails can end up in the lawn, or that the picture frames on the second floor might rattle off the wall.
We have replaced a lot of roofs across New Jersey since 2015, and the jobs that go smoothest are the ones where the homeowner knew what was coming. Here is what we tell our own customers the week before we start.
A week before: clear the way
The crew needs a clear path from the driveway to every side of the house, and a spot for the dumpster or trailer. A few things help a lot:
- Move cars out of the driveway the night before. Old shingles come down fast and the dumpster usually sits there.
- Clear the patio and deck. Grills, furniture, planters and kids’ toys should go to the garage or the middle of the yard.
- Mow the lawn a day or two before. Short grass makes it much easier for us to find stray nails with the magnetic sweeper.
- Tell your neighbors. A quick heads-up about the noise and the truck goes a long way, especially on tight streets in towns like Hoboken or Westfield.
The day before: inside the house
A tear-off sends vibration through the whole frame of the house. It is normal, but it can knock things loose.
- Take pictures, mirrors and shelves with breakables off walls on the top floor.
- If you store things in the attic, cover them with an old sheet or tarp. Dust and bits of old shingle granules can fall through the boards when the old roof comes off.
- Know where your attic access is in case we need to check the decking or ventilation from inside.
Kids, pets and working from home
Roofing is loud. Expect hammering and nail guns from early morning until the afternoon. Dogs and cats get stressed, and some pets do better at a friend’s house for the day. If you work from home, plan your calls for another room on the lowest floor or another location for the first day, which is usually the loudest.
Keep kids and pets away from the driveway and the drip line of the roof while the crew is working. Old shingles and debris come down the whole day.
What happens on replacement day
Most single-family homes take one to two days. A typical day looks like this:
- Setup. Tarps go over landscaping and the sides of the house, and the dumpster gets positioned.
- Tear-off. We remove the old shingles down to the wood decking. This is the loudest part.
- Decking check. Once the wood is exposed, we look for soft, rotted or delaminated sheets and replace them. This is the only part of the price nobody can see ahead of time, which is why a good estimate lists the cost per sheet up front.
- Underlayment and flashing. Ice and water barrier along the eaves and valleys, synthetic underlayment, new drip edge and new flashing around chimneys, walls and vents.
- Shingles and ridge. The new roof goes on, followed by ridge vents or caps.
- Cleanup. Debris goes in the dumpster and we run a magnetic sweeper over the driveway, walkways and lawn.
For more detail on the steps themselves, see roof replacement steps every homeowner should know.
What if it rains?
We watch the forecast closely and will not tear off more roof than we can dry in the same day. If weather moves in, the crew covers any open area before leaving. If a storm is coming, we would rather move your start date than rush the job.
After the crew leaves
- Walk the property with us. Point out anything that looks off.
- Check the attic after the next heavy rain. A new roof should be completely dry inside.
- Keep your paperwork. Your shingle warranty and the contractor’s workmanship warranty should both be in writing.
- Wait a week before hanging pictures back up on the top floor, and run the mower over the lawn once more before kids play barefoot.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be home during a roof replacement?
No. Most homeowners go to work as usual. We do ask that you leave the driveway clear and make sure we can reach an outdoor outlet, and that someone is reachable by phone in case we find damaged decking that needs your OK.
How long does a roof replacement take?
One to two days for most single-family homes in New Jersey. Larger or steeper roofs, multiple old layers and a lot of rotted decking can add time.
Will my landscaping get damaged?
We cover beds and shrubs near the house with tarps, and we try to keep heavy traffic off the lawn. Let us know about anything delicate, like new plantings or a koi pond, before we start.
How much does a roof replacement cost?
Most NJ homes pay $8,000 to $22,000. Our roof replacement cost guide breaks it down by roof size and material, with an estimator you can try.
Ready to schedule?
Herts Roofing & Construction handles full tear-off roof replacements across New Jersey and the Lehigh Valley, backed by a 15-year workmanship warranty. Call 908-206-4240 (NJ) or 610-772-8384 (PA), or request a free estimate.