You need a new roof. Unfortunately, there is a dangerous virus going around, and you're not certain what's open, what's closed, and what risks are involved with roof replacement. This is an unprecedented time, so your uncertainty is totally understandable. Here are some tips for having your roof replaced — potentially — during the COVID-19 outbreak.

1. Determine how urgent the situation really is.

Your roof may appear to be in worse shape than it really is. For instance, it might be missing a couple of shingles, but the rest might be intact enough that you're really not getting leaks. If you live in an area where the weather is really mild and you're not having serious issues — like actual leaks or big sections of shingles gone — consider waiting another month or two to have the roof replaced. Hopefully, the pandemic will have died down a bit by then, so you won't be putting yourself or any roofers at such a high risk by having your roof replaced.

2. Call roofing companies.

If you don't think your roof can wait another month or two for replacement, then start calling roofing companies in your area. Describe your situation, and ask whether they're able to help. Emergency roofing services are considered essential in most areas, but what each company considers "emergency" may vary. There may also be some roofing companies that have chosen to close down at this time, particularly in high-risk areas like New York City. If your go-to roofing company is not operating, you may need to reach out to a different one this time.

3. Arrange for mobile payment and online communication.

You can have a roofing company come put a roof on your home without having any contact with the workers at all, which basically eliminates the risk of spreading the virus. You can communicate online regarding estimates, and you can even make your payment online. Make sure you're set up for this prior to making the appointment for the roof replacement so you're not scrambling to make arrangements at the last minute.

4. Plan around your work schedule.

Under normal circumstances, a roofing company would work on your home while you were away at work during the day. But you're probably working from home these days. As such, you'll want to communicate with the roofers and see if they can work during different hours from your own work hours. This way, you won't have the hammering, pounding noises in the background while you're trying to video chat with your boss!

With the tips above, you can have your roof replaced more safely during this unfortunate outbreak.