Roofing

Should You Stay Home During a Roof Replacement?

By Paragon Exteriors LLC · Updated September 25, 2026

Roofing crew installing architectural shingles on a New Jersey home

Quick answer: Yes, you can usually stay home. The house stays livable during a roof replacement, but expect loud hammering and vibration through the walls and ceilings. Plan to be elsewhere if you have an infant, work calls, or anxious pets. Before the crew arrives, move cars off the driveway and out of the garage, take down wall hangings, cover or move attic items, and clear about 15 feet around the house.

What to expect if you stay home

Roofers work outside, so the inside of your home stays usable. The tradeoff is noise and vibration. IKO, a shingle manufacturer, notes that nailing new shingles into the structure vibrates the whole building, and the top floor moves more than the rest of the house.

Expect the crew to use your driveway for the dumpster and material deliveries, and to walk around the full perimeter of the house. Keep children and pets away from the work zone, and wear shoes outside because nails and shingle scraps can fall.

When it makes sense to leave

Staying is fine for many households, but these situations are easier away from home:

Infants and nap schedules: IKO points out that infants will not be able to sleep through the hammering.
Work calls and video meetings: steady nailing overhead makes calls hard to hold.
Anxious pets: IKO suggests a friend's house or a kennel, or at least keeping pets indoors so they do not step on a stray nail.

How to prepare the house and yard

A little prep protects your belongings and helps the crew work efficiently. IKO recommends these steps:

Move cars off the driveway and out of the garage the night before, since granules and nails can drop through an uninsulated garage roof.
Take down mirrors, pictures, and other wall hangings, especially on the top floor.
Cover or move items stored in the attic, and lay drop cloths to catch dust.
Clear about 15 feet around the house of toys, patio furniture, and garden decor.
Mow the lawn first so stray nails are easier to spot during cleanup.
Mark plants, sprinkler heads, and anything else in the yard you want the crew to avoid.

Planning the rest of the project

Knowing the schedule helps you decide whether to stay. See how long a roof replacement takes, and review how to choose a roofing contractor in NJ before you sign. When you are ready, learn about our roof replacement service.

Sources: IKO, How to Prepare for a Roof Replacement (accessed 2026-09-25). Paragon Exteriors summarizes this guidance for New Jersey homeowners; your roof and contract details govern the actual scope and schedule.

Staying home during a roof replacement

Is it safe to stay home during a roof replacement?

Generally, yes. Roofers work outside and the house stays livable. Keep children and pets away from the work zone and the driveway, and wear shoes outdoors because nails and debris can fall.

Should pets stay home during a roof replacement?

If you can, arrange for pets to stay with a friend or at a kennel. Hammering and strangers can upset dogs and cats. If they stay home, IKO recommends keeping them indoors with their crate and comfort items.

Why should I move my car out of the garage before a roof replacement?

IKO notes that garage roofs are often uninsulated, so shingle granules and nails can drop through and scratch paint. The crew also needs the driveway for the dumpster and deliveries.

What should I do in the attic before roofers arrive?

Move sentimental and fragile items out of the attic, and cover anything that stays with tarps or drop cloths. The attic collects a lot of dust during a tear-off.