As a homeowner, you’re probably already familiar with how you get roofing estimates. If you’re planning to get a full roof replacement but don’t know how much you’ll need to spend, you’re likely considering getting several estimates for your project to help you give an idea.
However, there are many kinds of roof estimates that won’t include all the important details. Some estimates will have the total amount listed down but won’t be completely itemized, while others are more detailed and specific. All these variations will make you ask yourself: what should be included in your roofing estimate?
This can be a bit daunting to take, especially if it’s your first time asking for a roofing estimate. But it does give an added benefit on knowing what you’re up against if you do a bit of research when getting an estimate. To help you out, here’s what our emergency roof repair specialists at LePage and Sons Roofing LLC have to say.
Before You Get Your Estimate
There are several things you need to check before you start soliciting estimates from several prospective contractors. First, you need to decide on which type of roofing material to be installed. Although you might have one in mind already, try to consider other options as your first choice may not always be available. Consult with a trusted contractor to determine which is more suited to your home. Keep in mind that while using a high-quality roofing material can cost you a bit more, you’ll also benefit more in the long run, including minimal maintenance and more energy savings.
As we mentioned earlier, you’ll also need to do some research on your prospective contractors to check if they’re legitimate businesses in the industry. This means searching their company names online and whether they have a good track record on trusted sites such as the Better Business Bureau®.
What to Expect When Getting Your Roofing Estimate
A professional emergency roof repair and replacement contractor will usually take about 30 minutes to an hour to completely inspect your roof. Afterward, they’ll include several things that should be present in any type of roof estimate. So long as all the important details are found and it has the necessary signatures, then it’s fine even if you get an estimate that’s completely written on a sheet of paper. With that said, your roofing estimate should always include the following:
1. Full Work Description – This means a detailed description of the work to be done on your roofing project so you’ll know how your roof will be replaced, along with guarantees and limited lifetime warranties. Having these will protect you during the initial years of the roof’s lifespan and be subsequently pro-rated after a certain number of years.
2. Contact Information – All professional estimates should indicate contact information that indicates the company name, address, phone number, and email address. It should also include proof of the contractor’s license, liability insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance. If your prospective contractor doesn’t carry the right insurance or the proper licenses required by the state or city, it may be better to hire someone more qualified for your project.
Make sure that a lien release should also be included in your roof estimate. This provides you with protection against liability in case the hired contractor doesn’t pay the subcontractors or the ones who provided the roofing materials for your roofing project. And never accept an offer by a contractor to waive your deductible because it’s against the law.
3. Material Costs – All the materials that are going to be used to complete the project should be listed in your roofing estimate, as they’re essential to determining the cost. For instance, if you’re planning to add solar panels, your solar roofing contractor should include all the materials needed, including the covering, flashing, underlayment, drip edges, gutters, and the underlayment type/thickness.
Your estimate should also provide the size of the nails and fasteners that are to be used in your project, as well as the type of sealant that will be used to seal any areas that require waterproofing, including flashing and nail holes.
4. Detailed Timeline – A detailed timeline should be included in your roofing estimate, which indicates the start date (the day that they’ll actually begin work on your roof) and an estimated completion date. While the exact duration may not be as important to some as to others, it may be wise to choose a contractor who has a good track record of finishing a project on time. Keep in mind that since this is just a projected timeline, it can still change should there be unexpected problems found on your roof that need immediate repairs.
Your roof replacement contractor should also include in their estimate the date on when the quote was provided or created, as it can determine whether you can still get the same price at a later date. For instance, if you have an estimate that’s six months old, then a new one may be needed since it may already be outdated by this time.
5. Total Costs – This should always be included in a roofing estimate to inform you of how much you’ll need to pay for the project. You’ll also need this to compare the costs of other contractors to determine which is more within your budget. An estimated cost of removing your old roof and properly disposing of the materials should be included as well.
6. Warranties – Lifetime warranties usually last around 50 years, so if it’s included in your roof estimate, it should also state whether the warranty is transferable to a new owner of the property in case you decide to put your home on the market after a few years.
7. Expectations and Guarantees – Your estimate must also include a section that explains the workmanship guarantees, material guarantees and clean up expectations. Roofing manufacturers even offer extensive warranties as well as certification programs to ensure the contractor you’re going to hire has the needed qualifications.
When you’re looking for a reliable solar roofing contractor in the area, you can trust LePage and Sons Roofing LLC to get the job done! Call us today at (508) 295-6483 or fill out our online contact form.