Learn About Getting An Estimate And Quote For Your New Roof

Posted on: 13 January 2022

The first step in getting a new roof is to get an estimate for the work. This involves a variety of steps and ends with an estimated cost for all the work involved. The estimate isn't always accurate, but it should be close. The estimate helps you compare prices among contractors, but if you want more precise pricing, you should obtain a quote.

A quote is a price the roofer will charge barring unforeseen circumstances. The quote becomes part of the contract between you and the roofer that you agree to and sign before the work begins. Here's a closer look at how roofing estimates and quotes work.

The Roofing Estimate

People often interchange the terms estimate and quote, so when you call a roofing contractor, be sure to clarify what you want and ask if there is a cost, since estimates are usually free. An estimate is often done to arrive at a general cost of a roof replacement based on the size of your roof and the type of roofing materials you want.

A roofer may not even need to come to your home to give you an estimate. Your roof can be measured using satellite photos that provide most of the information a roofing contractor needs. You can often get one of these estimates much faster than one that requires a contractor to visit your home in person.

As long as there are no hidden problems with your roof, an estimate might be fairly close to the final cost. However, if rafters and the deck are rotted, the final cost could end up being much more than the estimate.

The Roofing Quote

A quote is provided after a closer examination of your roof. A roofer may check the underside of your roof from the attic and climb on top of the roof to check all of the materials. The roofing contractor is interested in signs of hidden damage, since that could affect the accuracy of the quote. For instance, if the deck feels soft while walking on it, that's a good sign the deck has rotted, even though the contractor can't see the deck because it's covered with shingles or other roofing materials.

The roofer verifies the dimensions of your roof and gets your final decision on the type of roofing you want. At the end of the inspection, the roofer will know all of the materials needed, such as new roofing, underlayment, decking, flashing, and rubber boots. The quote provides a list of these and other materials, such as nails and adhesives. In addition, the cost for the permit and dumpster rental may be included.

The quote may also provide you with an anticipated start and finish date for the work, which might be subject to change due to the weather. All of this information helps you feel confident that the quote will match the final cost. However, if the contractor peels off the old roofing and finds damaged rafters that were not detected before, there could be additional costs since the roofer needs to ensure the support and deck of the roof are solid and dry so your new roof lasts a long time.

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