A Roof Replacement Built Around a Home Sale—and Cats

Project Overview

Lois was ready to sell her house; unfortunately, her roof had other plans.

When it became obvious that her old roof and skylights were holding her back from a sale, Lois’s realtor referred her to Equity Roofing. She needed a crew that would get the job done in one go and leave her property pristine—and beyond that, she was a pet owner who had a responsibility toward the comfort of her cats. Would they become too stressed during the ordeal? 

The Challenge

This roof replacement came with several layers of complexity, including:

• Six skylights required new flashing kits

• An active solar panel array that had to be professionally removed and remounted by a third-party solar contractor (Integrity Solar)

• A yard with soft ground that was vulnerable to equipment damage

In addition, her veterinarian advised Lois to take her cats elsewhere while the installation was in progress, under the impression that the house would shake throughout the process. Lois was so concerned that she even considered booking a $250 hotel room to keep them away from the disturbance. 

The Solution

Equity Roofing planned a full tear-off of the existing shingles to make room for 32 squares of Owens Corning Duration shingles in Onyx Black, paired with white drip edge and standard ventilation. All six skylights would receive new flashing kits.

To protect Lois's lawn, the crew would use an Equipter and carefully evaluate the ground conditions before proceeding, with a plan to lay down plywood or stay off soft areas as needed. A satellite dish was to be removed and disposed of during the project.

Equity Roofing coordinated directly with Integrity Solar around the panel removal and remounting schedule. Scheduling was also arranged to avoid Wednesdays when possible to accommodate Lois’s work schedule.

When it came to the cats, Lois began the process of booking a room for them—but as luck would have it, the hotel’s receptionist had gotten their own roof done by Equity Roofing 3 years prior. She also had cats, as well as dogs, and shared that they’d been fine throughout the roof replacement.

Intrigued, Lois reached out to her Production Coordinator, Ben Stoltzfus, to ask what to expect if she stayed inside the house during her roof installation. He explained that every home is different, and likewise, every homeowner's perception is different; what one person may describe as a “shaking home,” another might say is merely “pounding on the roof.”

Knowing that she had a two-story home in good condition, Ben expected that the cats would do well so long as they stayed downstairs.

Ben assured her that whatever she decided, our Site Supervisor would be willing to work with her if she had any questions or felt she needed to leave during the day.

The Results

Lois received a complete, single-layer shingle replacement, reflashed skylights, and a protected lawn ready to hit the real estate market. The crew delivered on schedule despite challenges—and as for Ben’s pet advice?

“It worked very well for me,” Lois shared, “I closed off the bedrooms on the top floor of the house so they couldn't hide in there, and then I made the basement comfortable and inviting. They spent most of the days in the basement (though one of them gradually made his way upstairs and was entertained by the work). I did medicate them, and that helped a lot, so that is also something other homeowners could talk with their vets about if they wish.”

She left Equity Roofing a 5-star Google review, highlighting our professionalism and communication, noting that she felt "cared for" rather than just serviced—and honestly, that’s how we want every homeowner to feel.

Her new roof is protected by the Owens Corning Platinum Protection warranty, offering manufacturer-backed protection for the next 25 years that can be transferred during the home’s sale. The new homeowner will receive a house that’s not only full of love but protected by the best in the shingle industry.

Ready to protect your home with the same level of care?
Contact Equity Roofing today for a free inspection and estimate.