Clear the driveway, cover what is in the attic, take the pictures off the walls and keep the dog inside. Most of the work is moving things out of the crew’s way and out of the way of falling debris.
Here is the week before, the day itself and the last hour, in order. Where advice comes from a shingle maker or the city, we say so. Where it is just what roofers ask of homeowners, we say that too.
What should I do the week before a roof replacement?
Settle the shingle color, then plan for the dumpster. Owens Corning’s homeowner guide says the contractor cannot order materials until the color is final, and a late choice can push the date.
The dumpster may land 1 to 2 days before the job. Agree with the contractor where it goes, so your car is not boxed into the garage for three days. Shingles can arrive a few days early or the morning of, on the roof or in the driveway. Some crews use a dump truck instead, and a crew that recycles old shingles may bring a second dumpster.
Plan to park on the street. Move the bikes, the basketball hoop, the planters and the garden tools away from the walls. Pick up the pet waste in the yard too. Owens Corning lists that one, and the crew will thank you.
Ask the contractor how long the job will take. We found no reliable figure for Sioux Falls, and what happens on replacement day depends on your roof, the layers coming off and the weather.
Do I need HOA approval or to tell the neighbors?
Check your covenants before you sign. Some subdivisions set rules on roof color or material and want approval first. We found no Sioux Falls survey of HOA roof rules, so read your covenants or ask the board.
Tell the neighbors a few days ahead. Owens Corning suggests it, and it costs nothing. Tear-off is loud, the dumpster may sit near the property line, and a neighbor parked tight to your driveway can block the truck.
How do I protect the inside of my house during a reroof?
Cover the attic and take down what hangs on the walls. Neither tip comes from a shingle maker or NRCA. It is what roofers ask homeowners to do, and it makes sense once you hear the job.
Tear-off scrapes the old roof down to the deck. Dust and loose granules sift through the boards into the attic. Throw old sheets or plastic over boxes and holiday decorations up there, or move anything you care about. Owens Corning calls tear-off the messiest part of the process.
Hammers and nail guns shake the framing. Take pictures, mirrors and shelf items off the walls of the top floor, and move anything fragile off high shelves.
Can I stay home during a roof replacement?
Yes. Owens Corning says that in most cases you can plan to be home, but it can be very noisy, enough to wreck a day of video calls if you work from home.
Pets are the bigger worry. Keep dogs and cats inside, in a quiet room, or send them to a friend for the day. Tell the crew which gates must stay shut. Keep children away from the walls of the house while the crew works overhead, because nails and old shingles come off the eaves all day.
Ask about the bathroom ahead of time. Some contractors bring a portable toilet, some do not.
What about plants, the AC unit and power for the crew?
Ask the contractor what they cover, and cover the rest yourself. Owens Corning’s guide says to protect garden statues and planters, tell the crew about anything in the yard, and cover flowers and shrubs if the crew will not.
The rest of this list is common practice rather than a manufacturer’s rule:
| What | Why | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| AC condenser | Shingles and nails fall straight down onto the fins | Ask the crew to cover it |
| Outdoor outlet | Compressors and saws need power | Check the outlet works and the breaker is on |
| Gates | Ladders go up on every side | Unlock them, and tell the crew about pets |
| Patio furniture and grill | Debris bounces | Move it well away from the walls |
| Lawn | Short grass shows nails | Mow a day or two before |
If the siding or trim is due too, read whether to do siding with the new roof before the crew shows up.
Does the city inspect a new roof in Sioux Falls?
A reshingle inside city limits needs a permit, a flat $40 under the 2026 fee schedule, and the contractor pulls it under their city license. State law also has the contractor post their state excise tax license number with the permit. The permit itself is covered on the roof replacement guide.
Which inspections a reroof gets, and whether a permit card has to be posted on the house, we could not confirm. The city’s Building Services page says inspections are booked online or by phone with the permit number and address. It also says an inspector will not enter an occupied home unless an adult or the contractor is there and gives permission.
So ask the contractor for the permit number before work starts, and ask when the inspection is booked. Building Services answers questions at 605-367-8670. A reinspection costs $200 an hour under the same fee schedule.
Outside Sioux Falls, each town sets its own rules. Call the town office in Brandon, Harrisburg, Tea or wherever you live.
What should I check at the final walk-through?
Check that the crew did everything the contract says. Owens Corning’s guide expects a final walk-through with you, and a sweep of the yard for loose nails and debris. If you are not happy with the sweep, ask for a second one.
Walk it yourself with the contract in hand. Look at the driveway and the street where the dumpster sat, the flower beds under the eaves, the gutters and the downspouts. Roll a magnet, or just walk the lawn in shoes, before the kids go back out barefoot.
Then the paper:
- The permit is closed out, or you know when the inspection is.
- The warranty is registered. Owens Corning gives its Platinum Preferred contractors 60 days to register, and GAF’s Golden Pledge sample tells owners to call if no warranty arrives within 60 days.
- You have the final invoice, and the price matches the contract.
A GAF enhanced warranty does not take effect until the contractor is paid in full. Pay what you owe once the work matches the paper, and keep every page. What each warranty covers is on how a roofer’s workmanship warranty works, and what goes in the contract is on checking a roofer before you sign.
Questions about getting ready for a new roof
Should I be home during a roof replacement?
You can be. Owens Corning says most homeowners can stay home, but tear-off is very noisy, so plan around work calls and keep pets in a quiet room.
Do I need to cover things in my attic during a roof replacement?
It helps. Dust and old granules fall through the deck boards during tear-off, so cover stored boxes with sheets or plastic, or move them out.
Should I take pictures off the walls before a new roof?
Yes, on the top floor. Hammering and nail guns shake the framing, and pictures, mirrors and shelf items can fall.
Where do I park during a roof replacement?
On the street. The dumpster and the materials take the driveway, and a car left in the garage can get boxed in.
Will roofers pick up the nails in my yard?
They should. Owens Corning expects a sweep of the property for loose nails at the end of the job, and you can ask for a second sweep if you find more.
Get a quote
Tell us about the job, with the age of the roof if you know it, and a local roofing contractor will call, text or email to set up a visit. The quote is free.