As a homeowner looking to get a roofing replacement, you may have come across some roof estimates that list the total amount of the cost but don’t include the price of materials or labor. You may even get estimates that are as simple as a form letter. With no real standard as to what a roofing estimate should look like, you may be wondering what it should at least include.
Knowing what’s included in a proper roof estimate helps in sorting out the honest contractors from the ones who only seem to provide an estimate but actually falls short of what it should be. Of course, not all estimates are exactly the same, but having several estimates can give you something to compare and contrast, which helps you decide which is the best price for your project.
To understand what you need to look for in your roof estimate, let’s first understand some of the basics.
What’s Included in a Detailed Estimate?
A typical roofing estimate should contain all the details you need on your roof replacement project. It should indicate the payment information, which details the payment due dates and accepted payment methods. In fact, this should be explained in every roof estimate, since this defines which parties are responsible for specific portions of the roof project.
If some parts of your roofing project will be outsourced to other companies, these parties and responsibilities must be identified in detail within the estimate. Each detail of the payment terms should be explained in detail, which means information about down payments, progress payments, end payment, and payment methods should be properly explained. The estimate should also include a provision for you to hold back the final payment until you’re completely satisfied with the job.
A detailed timeline should be included in a roofing estimate, as this indicates the start and completion dates of your project. This is just a projected timeline, which can change when there are problems found on your roof and immediate repairs are needed.
Your estimate should also include an estimated cost of removing your old roof and properly disposing of the materials. The cost of the materials needed for your project should be indicated as well, such as the roof covering, flashing, underlayment, drip edges, gutters, and ventilation. This part of the estimate should be very specific, indicating the thickness of the underlayment, type of sealant to be used for areas that mandate waterproofing, the sizes of the nails and fasteners, and even which brand of products that will be used in your roof.
A detailed description of the work should be provided so you’ll know how your roof will be replaced, along with guarantees and limited lifetime warranties. Having these will give you excellent protection during the initial years of the roof’s lifespan and be subsequently pro-rated after a certain number of years. Since lifetime warranties generally last around 50 years, the estimate should state whether the warranty is transferable to a new owner of the property in case you decide to sell your home later on. A transferable warranty on the roof and workmanship can be a big selling point for homes that are well-maintained.
Your roof replacement estimate should indicate proof of the contractor’s license, liability insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance. There should also be a lien release that provides you with protection against liability in case the roofer doesn’t pay the subcontractors or those who provide the roofing materials for your roofing repairs or replacement. If a roofing contractor offers to reduce or even waive your deductible, don’t accept it; it’s against the law!
Finally, every roofing estimate should have a proper means of exit, such as a termination clause. The clause should explain the exact reasons why the contractor or you can terminate the agreement without any sort of penalty if the terms of the contract are violated.
Avoid Scams By Asking the Right Questions
While most professional roof replacement contractors are honest when giving an estimate, there will always be some who’ll try to scam unsuspecting homeowners. These contractors are usually not local to the area and only want to make a quick profit while only providing shoddy workmanship. You’ll likely notice this when you compare your roofing estimates and see one that’s significantly lower than the rest. If you think it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
You need to keep in mind that a roof replacement is never a cheap project, so don’t fall for a low offer just because you think it’s a great deal. You’ll most likely get unexpected costs as the project progresses, often not even included in the contract. Your hired contractor will make excuses such as the materials being more expensive than expected and other “unforeseen” problems. You’ll be paying more than you should, and you’ll still end up with a roof that’s barely finished.
To avoid this, you’ll need to ask the right questions to your prospective roofing company as soon as they’re giving you their estimates. Knowing what to ask can also help you understand just what type of roofing estimate you’re getting. Here’s some that are worth asking:
- How long have you been in the business?
- Does the estimate include tax?
- Is the estimate low because they were just quoting the shingles/tiles and not the entire roofing project?
- Do you get to keep the extra shingles or tiles for repairs?
- Can they present references and/or examples of similar roof replacement projects?
Along with these questions, you’ll also need to double-check if the company is really who they say they are. This means researching their name and whether they have good customer reviews on trusted sites such as the Better Business Bureau®. This also gives you better peace of mind knowing that you’re talking with trusted professionals.
If you’re planning to get a roofing replacement, make sure you call only the best roofing company in the area. Call ImproveIT! of Atlanta today at (770) 525-8836 or contact us through our convenient online form. We serve Sandy Springs, Marietta, Alpharetta, and nearby GA areas.
