There’s no need to emphasize that roof is a constitutional element of a home. There isn’t a home without a proper roof. Unfortunately, the roof is probably the most vulnerable part of your house. The weather’s pretty tough on it. That’s why folks need to organize roof repairs every once in a while. Whether they choose to go DIY or hire professional roofers – it doesn’t matter. What matters is that their roof is ready for whatever weather conditions hit us in the upcoming years. Also, some homeowners will likely want to replace their whole roof at a certain point. If you are one of them, you might pose a question: should you move out during roof replacement? And that’s what we’ll talk about today. Stay tuned!
The simple facts of roofing
Before we tell you the answer to the question in the title, we should look at the facts concerning your average roof replacement gig. In other words: let’s get a glimpse of the bigger picture.
Unless you’re faced with unusual circumstances (or harsh weather coming your way), replacing the roof of an average family home commonly takes only a few days (in most cases – less than a whole week). Professional roofers will try to get the job done during the week while many families are either at work or at school to minimize the disturbance in the homeowners’ lives.
Most roof replacements gigs will last for less than a whole week. Professionals will want to get the job done while the family’s at work or school.
The big question: should you move out during roof replacement?
It depends. For instance, if you work remotely (i.e., from your home office), it might be better to stay out for a few days until the job’s finished. Despite professional roofers’ best efforts, the whole ordeal can be pretty noisy. That’s why some families find it best to vacate their home premises, at least during weekdays. Of course, it isn’t necessary. You might as well stay within your home premises while roofers handle everything.
Option #1: Staying in
If you decide not to move while the roof replacement is underway, here are a couple of things you can do to make it easier for yourself:
- Please park your vehicle somewhere else to keep it safe and sound from the unavoidable debris.
- Make sure your neighbours are informed about the work being done at your home. Also, you’ll want to tell them about the hours the crew will be on site.
- If you’ve got pets, you should keep them in the basement of your house or any other quiet room. You’ll want to minimize the stress they’ll endure because of the noise and activity they’re not used to.
- Have you got kids? If so, you should designate so-called safe spaces within your home where your children can play. That way, you’ll keep them safe and out of the work area.
- If you work from home (and decide not to move out), pick the quietest spot in your home to be your temporary home office.
Lastly, there’s a substantial advantage to not moving out during roof replacement: you’ll be in face-to-face contact with your contractors, and you’ll be able to track their progress firsthand.
If you work from home and decide to stay at home during the renovations, pick the quietest spot in your home as a temporary home office.
Option #2: Moving out
What happens if you choose to move out? Nothing special. You’ll provide yourself with a quiet, temporary home for a few days until the works are over. Ask any of your friends or relatives if they would be willing to take you in, so you don’t need to rent an apartment for just a few days or pay for a hotel room.
Also, make sure you have a good talk with your contractors about your preferences. For instance, before you leave – you’ll need to iron out details concerning the ways your roofers can access the power supply when they need to. Also, always keep a line of communication open if something goes awry or the contractor requires your approval for a specific part of the job.
Bonus moving tip: Unwanted moving expenses
Moving your home for good is one thing; moving your stuff temporarily is a different ordeal. There are times when a person needs to clear out a great deal of home inventory to do the work without additional issues (damaged attic furniture and so on). One might consider hiring a moving company to handle the task. Make sure you cut unwanted moving expenses (by packing yourself, for instance) and pay only what you planned. You don’t want to spend a fortune on this process.
If you decide to move out during roof replacement, cut additional (and unwanted) moving expenses by DIY packing your belongings.
Which option’s better?
It’s pretty tough to answer that one. There’s no way of telling which option is better. You might say it all comes down to personal preferences. Although, there’s one thing we strongly recommend. That is: you should find a high-quality roofing contractor with some experience. There’s no alternative to this.
You’ll want to make sure the crown of your home is in good hands. There are several questions you’ll want to ask your roofers. For example, you’ll want to know how long they have been in the business. Do they hire subcontractors or have their crew? Do you get to sign a written contract? If the answer’s NO to the last question, don’t hesitate to walk away from the interview. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for references from past clients. If you’re dealing with professionals, they’ll be glad to give you their contact.
Final words
Whether you should move out during roof replacement or not isn’t a question anyone can give you a straight answer for. Hopefully, we have provided you with enough info to make a good decision! As you could’ve seen, it’s entirely up to an individual to figure out the best option.