The short answer
Clear the driveway and move vehicles, patio furniture and grills away from the house. Cover or move attic items, take wall decor down, and plan for pets and kids. Expect noise and falling debris. Afterward, ask the crew to run a magnetic sweep over the yard and driveway to pick up stray nails.
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Clear the outside of the house
Move cars out of the driveway and garage-front area so crews can park, unload and reach the roof. Move patio furniture, grills, planters and play sets away from the walls.
Trim back shrubs if they block ladder access, and mark sprinkler heads or garden edges you want to protect. Make sure crews can reach an outdoor outlet if they need power.
Protect the inside
Tearing off shingles shakes the whole house, and dust and bits of debris can drift down through attic gaps. Cover items stored in the attic with sheets or plastic, or move them out beforehand.
Take down mirrors, framed photos and shelf items on upper-floor walls. Vibration can loosen them, and ceilings may drop a little dust. Delicate or valuable pieces are safer in another room.
Plan for people, pets and noise
Roof work is loud. Hammering and nail guns start early in the day and can last for hours. If you work from home, have small children or have a pet that startles easily, think about spending part of the day elsewhere.
Keep kids and pets well away from the yard. Falling shingles, tools and nails make the work zone unsafe. Let neighbors know ahead of time too, since they may hear noise or see trucks and a dumpster nearby.
After the work is done
Walk the yard and driveway with the crew when the job wraps up. A magnetic nail sweep is a standard way to pick up stray nails, and it protects tires, pets and bare feet.
Check gutters and flower beds for leftover debris, and ask the roofer about anything you spot. A short walk-through before the crew leaves is the easiest time to raise a concern.
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Related service: Roof replacement in Rochester, MN. Browse the towns we cover or all roofing guides.
