Since you’ll want to stay out of the way when the contractors are working on your roof, the best thing you can do is get your home ready in advance. That means taking steps to protect your property, like moving your vehicles into the garage or down to the curb.

That will clear space for a dumpster to be brought to collect waste or fallen materials. Keep in mind, though, that if you’ll need to leave, the curb might be a better choice to avoid potential nails in the driveway.

Contractors also recommend moving anything you want to keep safe into your home or out of the way, like potted plants, flowers, lawn equipment, etc. You might also want to secure anything attached to the interior walls, because roofing can shake things loose.

The first thing a contractor will have to do is, if you have any previous roofing, tear it off. They strip your roof in order to assess the underlying structure for any damages that may need repairing or reinforcing before covering it.

This will avoid an expedited roofing project in the future caused by weak beams or something usually attributed to water damage or leaks. The good news is that a professional will know what to look for, so it doesn’t take long and they can usually start installing as they go.

Once the contractor has stripped your roofing layer and done any repairs necessary, they’ll begin to put down the asphalt shingles. As mentioned above, the installation can be done while the stripping is still in progress for a faster result.

Keep in mind that they might need to replace sheathing, which is a thin layer between the roof and the materials, or use flashing, usually metal stripping around chimneys and other roof structures.

After the shingles have been installed, ridge capping is done to finish the installation before vents are fixed into place. One piece of advice is to invest in better materials, like architectural shingles, to get the best protection for your roof and the most for your money.