What to Look for When Comparing Roof Estimates

If you’re in the market for a new roof, then you likely already know the importance of hiring a professional and reliable local roofing contractor to do the job. You may have even contacted multiple roofing contractors to collect roof estimates already, but what comes next? How do you use the information in the roof estimates to ensure you’re hiring the right contractor for the job?

Scope of Work

The scope of work will include all of the work the contractor will perform on your roof. In addition to labor, it should describe things such as a start date and expected completion date, the removal of the old roof, and any changes that need to be made to the underlying structure. It might also include a contingency budget for unplanned repairs that your roofing contractor won’t know about until the old roof is removed.

Materials

Your estimate should include the cost of materials. In addition to shingles, there should also be other supplies such as sealants, additional plywood, and felt for the underlayment. Some companies may leave some of these supplies off of the estimate, such as plywood replacement boards, because they might not be needed unless your existing boards are rotted. If they aren’t already included, it doesn’t hurt to ask to have supplementary supplies added to the quote so you can get a more accurate view of what the final cost might be.

An itemized quote is the most helpful, since you’ll also know the quality of the materials that will be used for your new roof. While some roofers may have higher estimates, keep in mind that the materials they use might also be of higher quality than other companies.

Labor

This is a crucial element of the quote, as many homeowners may avoid the companies with the highest labor cost, but remember that you often get what you pay for, and the lowest cost doesn’t always mean the best team for the job. A higher labor quote may also indicate that they’re more skilled and experienced workers.

Purchasing a new roof is a significant investment, so it’s important to hire the best contractor for the job, even if the cost is slightly higher.

Warranty

Asphalt shingles usually come with a manufacturer’s warranty. A reputable roofing company will stand behind their work and offer you a comprehensive warranty for the installation and materials as well.

When it comes to warranties, it’s also a smart idea to consider hiring a local contractor that’s not too far from your location. This way if anything does happen to go wrong with your new roof, it will be much easier to reach them and schedule repairs in a timely manner.

Roofing Contractors

Finally, no two roofing contractors are the same, and some contractors will focus solely on roofs, while others may provide a full spectrum of home renovation services. When comparing estimates for your new roof, it’s always a good idea to talk to the contractor about what services they offer. If you feel they are spread too thin across too many different renovation services, ask them how they provide excellent service for each. If you find that their crew does all the jobs from roofing to flooring, it might be best to go with a company that offers a few services but invests the time and effort into different expert crews to handle each job. For example, a company like Armorvue offers several services, but we provide our customers with expert installation teams based on the job at hand. Need a roof? We have a team for that. How about windows? We’ve got expert window installers too.

Roofing companies are dedicated to providing industry leading products and have the skills and experience to ensure that your new roof is installed with integrity and precision. It also never hurts to compare the reviews and ratings of the various roofing companies to ensure you’re hiring one with a good local presence and proven track record. We take pride in being part of this community and providing exterior home renovation services. Contact Armorvue Home Exteriors today for more information about all of our quality products.