But really, the need to replace the roof was a burning issue in our household. It was single-tab roofing that was falling apart. If it wasn’t leaking yet, it would be very soon!
Nothing is worse than being woken up by a storm at night and wondering if water is quietly pouring into your house. Well, maybe there are a few things worse—like a cockroach landing in your bed as you’re trying to fall asleep. Alas, that’s a story for another day.
This was the first time in all my years of homeownership that I needed to have a roof completely replaced. I wasn’t sure where to start, but I partnered with my best mate, and here’s how we navigated the process:
#1 Get 3 Estimates
Any salesperson on the planet is going to hate hearing this. But we all work our asses off to make a living, so I’m not giving my money away just because someone is charming. To be honest, I’m very hard to charm.
We were not only new to the area but to the state. We had no idea what a reasonable price was, so going with the first estimate would have been a mistake.
Second, see what I just said about charming salespeople.
Third, we wanted to read the online reviews, go through the estimates line by line, and make sure we felt comfortable with such a big purchase.
#2 Comb Through Each Estimate
Some estimates may be very similar in price and warranties. If so, decide what you can live with. Are you okay paying a deposit and waiting through a long lead time? Maybe you have follow-up questions. Is that particular salesperson responsive to your asks? Has it been clearly communicated how and when the work will be done? Do you know what happens if there’s inclement weather?
#3 The Day Has Arrived
You’ve chosen the roofer who best meets your needs and budget. Now what?
After the waiting period, the day finally arrives. Your roof is covered in workers throwing stuff on the ground, and all you can hear is loud banging. I work from home, so I canceled all meetings that day. Our A/C was turned off. Our home is 2,600 sqft, and we were told it would be done in a day, starting at 7 am.
I chose not to go to the gym that morning since I’d arrive home after the roofers were already in the driveway with a dumpster blocking my path to the garage. My husband got up early and took our dog out in preparation. Since our dog was a nervous wreck, we made him a room in the basement with minimal noise and gave him a comfort pack to help with anxiety.
Then came the afternoon, when it was time to take the dog out. That was an interesting feat—dodging old shingles and nails in the grass while holding tight to my dog so he didn’t bolt. In hindsight, I would’ve had noise-canceling headphones or earplugs ready. Hearing a roof removed and banged into place above your head for seven hours straight tends to get a little irritating.
#4 Whew, it’s finally over!
At the end of that hot August day, some of the crew took cover in our backyard under a shade tree. Others cleaned up the shingles on the ground, while one carried a metal rake around, trying to retrieve every nail that landed in the grass. They were pros at cleaning up and were gone before you even realized they were finished.
While the day seemed to last forever with the loud noises and the A/C turned off, I was relieved to know our big purchase was finally over. We got lucky and picked true professionals who got the job done quickly and efficiently.
When people talk about a thankless job, I think they actually mean the heroes who keep our homes dry and cool.
