When you are thinking about having your roof replaced, it’s in your best interest to get a free roof estimate from a reputable roofing company. But when you get an estimate, what are you looking for? This guide gives you the run-down on what should be included in your roof estimate, so you know you’re working with the right company.
What Should Be on Your Roof Estimate?
Many people are willing to work with an estimate that’s severely lacking in detail. However, your estimate should be packed with information you can use to decide whether you want that company to perform your roof replacement. At minimum, your estimate should include these seven items:
- An approximate completion date
- Your estimated costs
- A list of materials
- A full description of the work
- Guarantees
- Warranty information
- A way to terminate the contract
Here’s a closer look at each.
Estimate Essential #1: An Approximate Completion Date
Your roofing estimate should include an approximate completion date. In fact, it should be very specific about the start date and end date of the project, so you know exactly what to expect. However, you do need to keep in mind that these dates may change based on the weather, the extent of the repairs that need to be made, or how long you need to wait for materials to arrive.
Estimate Essential #2: Your Estimated Costs
Every estimate should include the costs you can expect to pay for a roof replacement. That includes the cost of materials and labor, as well as the cost of permits that are required to complete the job. Finally, if the roofing company charges for cleanup and removal, those costs should also be on your estimate.
Estimate Essential #3: A List of Materials
In many cases, homeowners choose the types of materials they want used on their roofs. Even if you don’t take a hands-on approach to choosing your roofing materials, your estimate should include a list of materials necessary to complete the job – and the list should be very specific. A good estimate includes the types of materials, the thickness of the underlayment, and even the brand names of the products that the company intends to use on your roof.
Related: Can you protect your roof from hail damage?
Estimate Essential #4: A Full Description of the Work to Be Performed
No estimate is complete without a full description of the work the company intends to perform. Whether the contractor will be removing and replacing some of your shingles or tearing off the entire roof and starting from scratch, the scope of the work should be listed where everyone can see it at any time during the project.
Estimate Essential #5: Guarantees
Most reputable roofers offer guarantees on their work, and these should be built into your estimate. In fact, there should be an entire section that covers workmanship guarantees clean up guarantees, and even guarantees related to the materials the contractor will use for your roofing project.
Related: 3 things to do while you wait for an emergency roof crew
Estimate Essential #6: Warranty Information
Most roofing materials come with at least some form of warranty, and all that information should be included in the estimate. Additionally, it should contain information on whether you can transfer the warranty to a new owner if you decide to sell the property. Because every manufacturer has its own warranties, this section of your estimate may be quite long; That’s okay. What’s important is that all the information you need is included.
Pro Tip: Make sure that warranties through the manufacturers are valid regardless of what roofing contractor you choose.
Estimate Essential #7: A Way to Terminate the Contract
Every estimate should have information on how to terminate the contract. This is generally called a termination clause, and it should detail the ways that you or the contractor can legally exit the agreement without penalty.
Related: How important is it – really – to get your roof inspected every year?
FAQ on Roofing Estimates
Check out these FAQ about roofing estimates. If you don’t see the answer to your question here, call our office – we’ll be happy to provide you with the answers you need.
What if You Get a Bare-Bones Estimate?
Some roofing companies provide single-page estimates for big jobs. However, that’s not appropriate; you’re entitled to know how much your project will cost, how long it will take, and what materials your contractor intends to use on your roof.
If you get an estimate that doesn’t cover all the essential information, you have a couple of choices. First, you can ask for a more comprehensive estimate; otherwise, you may choose to work with a different roofing company.
What Questions Should You Ask Your Contractor?
When you receive your estimate from your contractor, you’re allowed to ask any questions you’d like. Here are a few we recommend:
- Does this estimate include tax?
- What happens if the roofers discover the job is more in-depth than they originally thought it would be?
- What happens to extra shingles or tiles after the job is completed?
Why Would One Company Give a Low Roof Estimate While Others Are High?
If you get a series of estimates from roofing contractors for your replacement, you may notice some significant differences in cost. That’s why it’s so important to have a detailed estimate in your hands before you make a hiring decision; some estimates don’t include labor, haul-away costs, or other important expenses that you may encounter. Additionally, a good estimate will explain exactly how much everything costs so you know whether you’re paying too much.
Do You Need a Roof Estimate?
If you need roof replacement, our team will be happy to provide you with a free estimate. In fact, we specialize in free annual roof inspections, and we can send a trained professional to examine your roof and look for signs of damage, even if you don’t think anything is wrong. Call our office today to schedule your free roof inspection and get a free estimate from our expert roofers.
