The roof replacement tips that save homeowners the most trouble are about timing, paperwork and preparation: book the work for the dry months, read the contract for the items California law requires, clear the attic and driveway before the crew arrives, get changes in writing during the job, and collect the permit sign-off, lien releases and warranty papers at the end. Below is what to do before, during and after, in order. For questions about your own roof, call NEMA Roofing at 866-631-3366.
Before you sign: timing, quotes and the contract
Plan around the rain
Coastal and valley Southern California get most of their rain in a few winter months. At the NOAA stations in Santa Barbara and at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, about four-fifths of the year’s normal rainfall comes from December through March (1991 to 2020 normals). Summer and early fall are the easiest months to have a roof open. A roof that is failing now should not wait for summer, but a planned replacement goes more smoothly outside the wet season.
Compare quotes on scope, not only on price
- Each quote should name the product line, the underlayment, the fire class and, where required, the cool-roof rating of the color.
- Look for a unit price for deck repair, since damaged sheathing is only found after tear-off.
- Check that the permit, disposal and final inspection are included.
Our page on what a roof replacement includes lists every layer a complete quote should cover.
Read the contract for what the law requires
California’s home improvement contract rules (Business and Professions Code 7159) require, among other things:
- The contractor’s license number and a description of the work and the significant materials.
- A cap on the down payment: 10 percent of the contract price or a fixed dollar limit set in the law, whichever is less.
- A schedule of progress payments tied to phases of work, so you pay for work as it is done.
- Change orders in writing, signed before the extra work starts.
- A notice of your right to cancel: three business days, or five for a senior citizen, with exceptions such as a contract negotiated at the contractor’s place of business.
Look up the license on the Contractors State License Board site; for a roof, the license should include the C-39 roofing classification.
Line up the approvals
If you have an HOA, get the product and color approved in writing before anything is ordered. In areas with design review, such as Montecito, a change of roof material or color goes through the review board. If you have solar panels, ask who removes and reinstalls them and who handles the electrical disconnection.
The week before: how to prepare for a roof replacement
- Clear the attic or cover what is stored there. Dust and small debris fall through when deck boards are pulled and replaced.
- Take down wall hangings and shelf items on top-floor walls; hammering and tear-off shake the framing.
- Move cars out of the garage and driveway, and plan where the dumpster and material delivery will go.
- Protect the yard. Mark sprinkler heads, low plants and anything fragile near the walls, and move patio furniture and grills away from the house.
- Plan for pets and children. The noise is constant, and falling debris makes the edges of the house off limits while the crew works.
- Tell the neighbors. A shared driveway or tight street parking is easier with notice.
During the job: what to watch and what to ask
- Expect the roof to be covered and watertight at the end of each working day while the old roof is off.
- Ask for photos of the deck after tear-off, especially of any sheathing that is replaced, since those boards are billed at the unit price.
- Get any change, such as extra deck, fascia repair or a skylight swap, as a written change order with its cost before the work is done.
- Keep access clear for the building inspector if your jurisdiction inspects the deck or the work in progress; Riverside County, for example, calls for a deck inspection when new sheathing goes on or the roof is stripped to the sheathing.
After the job: close it out properly
- Final inspection. Make sure the permit is finaled, not left open.
- Lien releases. The law requires the contract to say that after each satisfactory payment, and before the next one, the contractor gives you a full and unconditional lien release for that portion of the work. Keep them.
- Warranty papers. Get the manufacturer warranty registration and any workmanship terms in writing.
- A walk around the house. Look for nails in the driveway and lawn, and debris in the gutters.
- The first rain. Check the attic and ceilings after the first real storm and report anything right away.
After that, a yearly look and cleared gutters keep the new roof in shape; see our roof maintenance service.
Planning your replacement with NEMA Roofing
We schedule, permit and document every roof replacement so the closing paperwork is ready when the roof is done. NEMA Roofing Solutions is a CSLB-licensed roofing contractor (#1083283), bonded and insured. Homeowners in Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties are served from our five locations in Downey, Tarzana, Woodland Hills, Oxnard and Santa Barbara; the San Bernardino County page lists the Inland Empire towns we cover. Call 866-631-3366 to start planning.
