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Roof replacement checklist

How to Prepare for a Roof Replacement: A Florida Checklist

To prepare for a roof replacement, get the contract and permit paperwork straight, move cars and patio items, cover attic storage, plan for pets and kids, and agree on the dumpster spot, cleanup and weather plan with your roofer. Do the heavy prep the day before.

By Josh Hildebrand, owner of Coastline Roofing · Florida license CCC1331076 ·

A new roof means trucks, noise and people overhead. This checklist covers what you should handle, and what to ask your roofer to handle.

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The short answer

How do you prepare for a roof replacement?

Get the paperwork in order, move what the crew will work around, plan for noise and pets, and agree on cleanup and start-day details with your roofer. Most of the heavy lifting is the roofer's job.

A roof replacement is mostly outside work, but it touches the whole property. Trucks pull up, a dumpster or trailer takes a spot in the driveway, and for a day or two there are people overhead from morning on. A little planning keeps your cars, your plants, your attic and your nerves out of the way.

This checklist covers what you handle. It does not replace your contract. Your roofer tells you what they do and do not move, protect and clean up, and you should get that in writing. If you are still choosing a roofer, read questions to ask a roofer and how to compare roof quotes first. For what happens on the roof itself, see what to expect during a roof replacement.

Want a clear plan before work starts?

A written inspection and estimate tell you what the roof needs, so you know what to prepare for. Ask for the start window and cleanup plan in writing. Coastline Roofing works all over Florida (license CCC1331076).

Call (941) 896-7793 or text your town and a photo.

The timeline

What should you do before, during and after the job?

Start about two weeks before, do the heavy prep the day before, and walk the property when the crew is done.

  1. Two weeks before: get the paperwork straight

    Read the signed contract, the product names and the start window. Check that the roofer will pull the permit, and ask whether your HOA needs to approve color or material. See HOA roof approval in Florida.

  2. One week before: tell the people who matter

    Tell neighbors that a crew and a truck will be there. Tell anyone who works from home or sleeps during the day. Call your solar company if you have panels, since they have to come off. See solar panels and a new roof.

  3. Two days before: move what you can

    Clear the driveway and garage door area. Take down wall hangings and shelf items on walls under the roof, because tear-off shakes the house. Move patio furniture, grills and potted plants away from the walls.

  4. The day before: cover the attic and protect the yard

    Cover or move anything stored in the attic. Take down hanging items. Secure the yard gate, move kids' toys and tell everyone where the work zone is.

  5. Work day: stay clear, keep pets in

    Park out of the way. Keep dogs and cats inside, away from the noise. Keep kids away from the sides of the house, where debris lands. See can you stay home during a roof replacement.

  6. After: walk the property and keep the papers

    Walk the yard and driveway with the crew lead. Keep copies of the permit, the nailing affidavit, the warranty and any photo report.

What to move

What should you move or cover before a roof replacement?

Six areas to handle ahead of time, from the driveway to the attic.

Cars

Move vehicles out of the driveway and away from the front of the house. Debris, dust and falling material can land there, and the crew needs room for a dumpster or trailer.

The attic

Dust and bits of old roofing can sift down through the roof deck. Cover or move boxes, clothes and holiday items stored under the roof.

Walls and shelves

Hammering and tear-off shake the house. Take pictures, mirrors and shelf items off walls and surfaces under the roof line.

The yard

Move outdoor furniture, grills, planters and toys at least a few feet from the walls. Ask the crew where the ladders and debris chutes will go, and whether they will cover plants.

Pets and kids

Plan where pets stay and where children play. A safe room away from the work zone beats keeping them outside.

Solar panels, dishes and antennas

Panels have to be detached and reinstalled. Satellite dishes and antennas on the roof need a plan too, so ask who takes them down and puts them back.

The paperwork

What paperwork should you see before the job starts?

A signed contract, a permit, and, for most jobs over $2,500, a recorded notice of commencement. Know what a deposit can be.

Florida law sets some rules on deposits and permits. Under Florida Statute 489.126, when a contractor takes money totaling more than 10 percent of the contract price as an initial payment on residential work, the contractor must apply for permits within 30 days after payment and start work within 90 days after the permits are issued, with some exceptions. That is general information. It does not describe any one contractor's terms. Read roofing deposits in Florida for the longer version.

For a direct contract over $5,000, Florida Statute 713.135 requires a copy of the notice of commencement to be filed with the permit authority before the first inspection. In Manatee County, the roofer posts the permit job card at the job site and uploads a copy of the notice of commencement and the nailing affidavit. Our guides on the notice of commencement and roof permits in Florida cover the details.

Ask your roofer for copies of the contract, the permit and the notice of commencement before the first day. This is general information, not legal advice.

Safety

Why does the work zone matter?

Workers are above you and debris falls. Keeping people and pets out of the work zone is the simplest safety step.

Federal rules for workers on residential roofs require fall protection for employees working 6 feet or more above lower levels, and require hard hats for employees exposed to falling objects. Employers are told to protect against objects falling from higher levels. Those rules protect the crew, not you. They are a reminder that a roof is a work platform, and debris, tools and nails fall off it.

So tell the household where the zone is. Use a bright piece of tape or a sign if you have small children. Keep the family out of the zone beside the house and the dumpster. Do not walk under the work to check progress.

Noise is part of the day too. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health calls noise hazardous at 85 decibels (A-weighted) or higher for workers across an eight-hour day. The tear-off and the nailers are loud enough to be unpleasant in the house, so earplugs or headphones help anyone sensitive. More on that in our guide to staying home during a roof replacement.

Questions to settle

What should you agree on with your roofer before day one?

Start window, weather plan, where the dumpster goes, how cleanup works, and what happens if rotten wood turns up.

  • Start window and weather. Rain stops roof work, so the start day can move. Read what happens if it rains during a roof replacement and the best time to replace a roof in Florida.
  • Where the dumpster or trailer goes. A heavy dumpster can mark a driveway. Ask where it will sit.
  • Cleanup. Ask how the crew checks the yard and driveway for nails. Manatee County's final inspection checks that the roof is 100 percent complete and all debris is cleaned up.
  • Rotten wood. Ask how damaged decking is handled and how it is priced before it is found. See roof deck damage and tear-off surprises.
  • Who talks to the inspector. Ask who schedules the inspections and who is at the job site for them.
  • How long it will take. Ask for an estimate in writing. Reviews of Coastline mention jobs finished in 2 to 3 days once work began, but your roof's size, shape and weather decide yours.

For roof cost questions, see roof cost per square.

Reviews

What homeowners say about working with Coastline

★★★★★
"From beginning to end the roof was done in 2 days. One night the crew stayed until 8:00. Each evening before leaving the crew ensured the yard was cleaned. We are so happy, and our roof is beautiful!"
Sharon T.Roof replacement
★★★★★
"Russell was great to work with. He was prompt in coming out to assess our roof and very knowledgeable. ... The job was complete in 2 days once work began."
Bryan S.Roof replacement
★★★★★
"Josh was especially amazing. He was professional, patient, and took the time to explain everything clearly so I felt comfortable and informed throughout the entire process. You can tell he genuinely cares about his customers and takes pride in his work."
Madison T.Roofing customer
Keep reading

Related guides

Roof Replacement

Tear-off and replacement for shingle, tile, metal and low-slope roofs.

See our roof replacement →

What to Expect

What happens before, during and after a roof replacement.

See what to expect →

Questions to Ask a Roofer

What to ask before you sign.

See the questions →

Also see staying home during a roof replacement and how to compare roof quotes.

FAQ

More questions

Do I need to be home when the roof is replaced?

Not usually, but plan to be reachable. Your roofer may need a quick answer about a color, a damaged board or access. Many people stay home. Others leave for the day, especially with young children or pets. Ask your roofer what they need from you.

Should I take pictures before the roof work starts?

Yes. Photograph the roof, the driveway, the yard, the gutters and the inside ceilings. Dated photos give you a record of the condition before the work, which helps if there is a question later.

How far ahead should I tell my neighbors?

A few days to a week is enough. Tell them about the crew, the truck and the dumpster, and about the noise. It helps to give them a rough start window while saying that rain can move it.

Do I need to move my car?

Yes, move cars out of the driveway and away from the front of the house. Debris, dust and falling material can land there, and the crew needs room for a dumpster or trailer.

Will the roofer pull the permit?

Ask, and get the answer in the contract. In Manatee County, the roofer posts the permit job card at the job site and uploads the notice of commencement and nailing affidavit. Your contract should say who pulls the permit and who pays the permit fee.

Sources

  1. Manatee County Development Services: Roof Inspections (Contractor)
  2. Alachua County Building Division: Roofing Replacement, Residential permit submittal requirements
  3. Florida Senate: 2026 Florida Statutes, section 489.126 (money received before completion of work)
  4. Florida Senate: 2026 Florida Statutes, section 713.135 (notice of commencement and permits)
  5. OSHA: 29 CFR 1926.501, duty to have fall protection
  6. CDC NIOSH: Occupational Noise Exposure

Get a clear plan before the crew shows up

A written photo report and a straight answer on what your roof needs.

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