As you look at your list of home upgrades that you should do in 2024, your roof may be at the top of the list. After all, a new roof can add value and beauty in addition to protection to your home. According to IBISWorld, over 128,012 American roofing and siding contractors were in business in 2023. If you already scheduled your local roofing company to do work, here are some tips on preparing for them.

Clear Your Driveway

Make sure to move any vehicles and pick up anything else that might be in the driveway, such as your children's toys or sports equipment. When your roofing contractors arrive, they'll be in a truck or van with their crew and all their tools, and they'll need a suitable place to park that's out of the way of other vehicles. They'll also need enough room to unload their equipment from their vehicle and get onto the roof. The fewer obstructions they have in the driveway, the better.

Park Your Vehicles in the Garage

One of the reasons why you should put your vehicles in the garage is to protect them. As mentioned, your roofers will need room to park and unload their equipment. However, you also want to ensure if anything inadvertently falls from the roof that it won't hit and damage your car. While your professional, local roofers are usually very careful, sometimes accidents happen, so it's good to take precautions.

Move Your Patio Furniture

If you're one of the many homeowners who enjoy being outdoors on your patio or deck, you don't want anything happening to your grill or lounge furniture. Before your roofers begin doing their work, you want to clear as much of the perimeter as you can. Roofers may need the room to get up on and climb down from the roof from different angles. You don't want anything broken or damaged if a ladder were to fall or if roofing material was inadvertently blown down. Consider moving your patio furniture into your shed, garage, or further into the yard.

Take Down Your Wall Hangings

You have your wall art and other hangings up for a reason. They're beautiful and add style to your home. Some of your pieces may be quite valuable and worthy heirlooms that you plan to pass down one day. Whether you have a beloved painting you bid on at an auction or one that was painted for you by a friend, the last thing you want is for it to get damaged during any type of work being done at your home. Sure, roofers will be working outside. However, roofing work can be quite intense and loud, and it can even shake the walls a bit.

The type of work your roofing company will be doing can determine just how intense any shaking will be. If you're getting a completely new roof installed, you can expect there to be some motion that could affect anything hanging on your walls. If you have large paintings, glass frames, family photos, or anything that's relatively fragile, it's a good idea to temporarily take it down. Leave them on the floor, or store them elsewhere until the roofers are done.

Contact Your HOA

Do you live in an HOA neighborhood? If so, you're likely required to contact them about any work you're doing on your roof. You may even need their permission beforehand before you sign a contract for roofing services or replacements. Before you have contractors come to your home, make sure that you're not in violation of your HOA agreement.

Alert Your Neighbors

Whether or not you're in an HOA, you should still alert your neighbors that you'll have a roofing company working on your home. As mentioned, some roofing work can be very loud. That can be a little disturbing for neighbors who work from home or have pets, so give them a heads-up. Your neighbors will likely appreciate you letting them know that there may be some noise coming from your home.

Plan a Playdate for Your Kids

Do you have younger children? If so, you understand how they may get very anxious at the sight of strangers coming to the home. Some children may be extra friendly and want to mingle among the workers and others may get scared. Loud noises can also disturb your children, especially if they need a nap. If you have children in elementary school or younger, it might be a good time to plan a play date outside the home for them. If you have other family or friends who live nearby, consider having them babysit or letting your children spend the weekend with their grandparents. If you have a finished basement, consider spending time and playing with your child there for now where it's further away from the construction noise.

Board Your Pets

Your pets can be just as anxious as your kids when your roofing company comes to your home. Animals can get upset at the sight of strangers, and they may bark or hide because they're unsure of what's going on. If this tends to describe your animals, you may want to board them for the duration of the roofing project to reduce the amount of stress they're under. There are many options ranging from doggy daycare to formal boarding services you can consider for your cat or dog. If you know other pet owners, they likely can give you an animal boarding recommendation. You can also see if friends or family members may be willing to pet-sit at their homes, so your dog or cat can enjoy some peace and quiet without worrying about your roofers.

Find a Coworking Space

If you're one of many Americans working from home, you may need to work somewhere else while your roofers are replacing your roof. If you have a basement office, it may be shielded enough from the noise your roofers will make. However, if your office is in the main home, all of the banging, sawing, and pounding may be too much for you to concentrate on. It may simply be too loud if your work involves making Zoom calls to clients. If you don't want your work productivity to be disrupted, you may want to go to a coworking space for a day or two or even your local coffee shop.

Whatever type of roofing work is being done on your home, it's important to make sure you're properly prepared. After all, you want to ensure everyone in your family is comfortable and that your roofing company has the space to work with ease and with few distractions. By following the tips above, you can make sure that your home is properly prepared for your roofing services.

When you want a quality roofing company that’s worth preparing for and can give you the roofing service you need, look no further than our local team. Dillman Brothers has been in business since 1972, and we offer free quotes to our clients. Our team is proud to offer discounts to veterans and provide a one-year warranty on our services, too. To find out more about what we can do for you and your residential roof, contact Dillman Brothers today for a consultation.