How to prepare your home
What should I expect during the replacement of my roof, siding or window project? Should I do anything to prepare my home? Those questions, and more, answered here.
Talk to your neighbors in advance if you are planning a major renovation. They’ll appreciate knowing about potential construction noise and when to expect extra vehicles parked on the street. They’re also more likely to be cooperative about things such as allowing a crew to rest a ladder on their lawn or something of that nature if they’ve been included in the plans.
Communication is key! We realize you are trusting us with a major asset – your sanctuary, and we welcome questions & clarification of your project. Please discuss your concerns as they arise.
Understand the timeline. And, be aware that exterior work goes fairly quickly relative to the more detailed work inside, if you are enduring a total renovation or addition. We will do our best to outline what work will be involved & present you with a realistic timetable.
Make choices in advance. Choose everything before the work starts: paint colors, shingle selections, tile etc. Once you have plans you like, try not to make major changes during the renovation process. Many people make small alterations, but major adjustments can mean frustrating delays waiting for supplies, as well as considerable extra expense. If choosing colors and materials is not your thing, consider enlisting the help of an interior designer. We have recommendations if you like, just let us know!
Be family-friendly. If you are undergoing a major addition or renovation, involve older children in the planning stages so they feel part of what is going on. Plan to spend time with younger children off-site so they don’t feel bored or cooped up. Also, consider boarding your pets or having them stay with friends until your house is settled. We ask that you keep pets & children away from the work area for their own safety.
Protect valuables. On large jobs, a temporary wall/plastic doorway between the new & existing part of your home will be built. But don’t expect it to keep out all of the dust. Take down your drapes & cover, or even store, your good furnishings. Vibration from hammering will occur, so it’s also a good idea to remove things from walls & shelves. This includes collectibles & figurines to mirrors, frames, overhead pot racks in kitchens or anything else that is not securely fastened.
Be prepared for noise & disruption. There will be trucks unloading materials to your home, a trash container/dumpster will be parked at your home depending on the job, and your driveway may be utilized for some of these items. You may want to think ahead about where you will park & communicate any specific concerns or requests in advance. If the noise will bother you, or if you work from home, you may want to consider leaving your home for a while.
For Roofing Jobs:
- 1. Remove all items around your house where roofing debris or bundles of shingles may fall, patio and pool furniture, potted plants, gardening equipment & grills. We try to take every precaution to protect your flowers, plants, trees, and shrubs. However, please understand at times due to the layout of the landscape or if the roof is very steep, some leaves or blooms may be knocked off from falling debris.
- 2. Remove all loose items from shelving and walls, pictures, mirrors, plates, figurines, etc. Hammering may create vibration that could shake these items off the shelves and walls.
- 3. Cover any items in the attic that may get dirty or damaged during the roofing project as some debris may fall.
- 4. Cover any items in the attic that may get dirty or damaged during the roofing project as some debris may fall.
- 5. Occasionally power tools are needed to cut decking, install power vents, etc. If an outside power outlet is not available, a power source supplied the day of installation would be appreciated.
- 6. Nails that fall from the roof during the job will be picked up with a magnetic rake. We will make every effort to pick up all the nails. Please be advised that a few hidden nails in the grass and shrubbery may remain.
- 7. Precautions are taken to prevent gutter damage, however, there are instances when damage to gutters is unavoidable especially on very steep roofs or ones that are completely surrounded by gutters.
- 8. For each day it rains, work on your home will be delayed. Our crews are instructed not to tear off more than they can replace in one day, so that your home is not exposed to inclement weather.
For Siding Jobs:
1. Expect for the installation crew to be on your property for 7-14 days depending on the size of the project & weather conditions.
2. Anytime you are working on the exterior of your home expect for your walls to rattle when the siding is being removed and when your new siding is being installed. We suggest that you remove any pictures or paintings from your interior walls, or loose figurines, plates, collectibles, mirrors etc. because they may fall during the removal and replacement process.
3. You may also see small cracks in your drywall or nail marks poking through. These side effects are normal and unavoidable and the cost of fixing them is usually minimal.
4. If the weather is bad expect for there to be delays as our crews are instructed to only remove what they can replace in the same day.
5. We will need a power source. If an outside power outlet is not available, a power source supplied the day of installation would be appreciated.
6. We suggest that you remove all portable planters and tie back any shrubs, plants, or trees that may be in the way of the installers. Our crews are careful however, sometimes damage to your landscaping may occur. Again, discuss these items with us in advance so we are aware of any specific concerns.
We will make every effort to make this project run smoothly with the least amount of inconvenience for you and your family. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding!

