In most cases, yes — you can stay in your home while a full reroof is being done, and many New Zealand homeowners do exactly that. However, it's not always comfortable or practical, and there are some important safety and health considerations to think through before you decide. Here's what you need to know.
What Happens During a Full Reroof?
A full reroof typically involves stripping off the existing roofing material (whether that's old iron, tiles, or membrane), inspecting and repairing the underlying structure, and installing new roofing. Depending on the size of your home and the roofing system chosen, this can take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks.
During this time, your home will be exposed to the elements for at least part of the job — usually just for hours at a time rather than overnight, but this depends on the weather and the crew's workflow.
Key Factors to Consider
Noise
Reroofing is loud. Expect hammering, nail guns, angle grinders, and the sound of old roofing material being thrown into a skip. This goes on throughout the working day, typically from around 7am to 5pm. If you work from home, have young children, or are a light sleeper, this can be genuinely disruptive.
Dust and Debris
Stripping old roofing — especially older corrugated iron or concrete tiles — creates a lot of dust and debris. If your home has old roofing materials installed before the mid-1990s, there is a risk of asbestos-containing materials being present. Asbestos was commonly used in some roofing products and underlays in New Zealand. If there's any doubt, have the materials tested before work begins. WorkSafe NZ has guidance on asbestos identification and safe removal — this work must be done by a licensed asbestos removalist.
Weather Exposure
A good roofing crew will manage the strip-and-cover process carefully, but there is always some risk of rain getting in during the transition. Discuss with your roofer how they manage this, and make sure valuable items, electronics, and furniture in the top floor or ceiling space are protected or moved.
Access and Safety
Roofers will be working overhead and moving materials around the exterior of your home. There will likely be scaffolding, ladders, and skip bins on your property. Keep children and pets well away from the work zone at all times — falling tools or debris are a real hazard. Your roofer should have a site safety plan in place under WorkSafe NZ requirements.
Ceiling and Insulation Disruption
If the job involves replacing sarking, repairing rafters, or upgrading insulation, there may be some internal disruption too. Ask your roofer upfront what access they'll need inside the home.
Tips for Staying Comfortable During a Reroof
- Talk to your roofer before work starts — a good tradesperson will walk you through the schedule and flag any days where disruption will be highest.
- Protect your belongings — move furniture away from exterior walls and cover anything in the ceiling space or top floor.
- Plan to be out of the house on the most intensive days, such as the strip-off day.
- Arrange alternative accommodation if you have young children, elderly family members, or anyone with respiratory conditions — dust and noise can be particularly hard on vulnerable people.
- Check your home insurance — let your insurer know a reroof is happening, and confirm you're covered if something goes wrong during the work.
Do You Need a Building Consent?
In many cases, a like-for-like reroof is exempt from building consent under Schedule 1 of the Building Act, but this depends on the scope of work and your local council's interpretation. If you're changing the roofing material type, altering the roof structure, or doing significant repairs, consent may be required. Always check with your local council before work begins — MBIE Building Performance has useful guidance on when consent is needed.
When to Consider Moving Out Temporarily
While staying home is usually fine, there are situations where moving out — even just for a few days — makes more sense:
- The reroof involves asbestos removal
- You or a family member has asthma, allergies, or respiratory issues
- The job is large and complex, spanning more than a week
- The work is happening during winter or wet weather, increasing the risk of interior exposure
- You have young children or pets who can't be kept safely away from the work zone
When to Call a Professional
Reroofing is not DIY territory in New Zealand. Working at height carries serious injury risk, and roofing work done incorrectly can lead to leaks, structural damage, and compliance issues. Always use a qualified, experienced roofer. Check that they carry public liability insurance and, where relevant, that any associated work (such as electrical disconnections for solar panels or skylights) is carried out by a licensed electrician registered with the Electrical Workers Registration Board.
You can find qualified local roofers on tradedirectory.co.nz — look for tradespeople with solid reviews and experience with your roofing type.
Roofing Association of NZ (RANZ)
Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP)
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