Comparing estimates from different companies for your roofing project is advisable, and homeowners keep an eye out for three things when doing that. These things include premium-quality materials, reasonable prices, and a warranty. However, an estimate can have these qualities and not be the best. So, how do you compare estimates from different companies and make the best choice?
In this article, we will show you how to tactfully compare estimates and pick the offer with the most significant value.
9 Things to Compare When Getting Multiple Roof Estimates
1. The Scope of Work
Comparing the scope of work helps you determine if something is missing from an estimate and why the different roofing companies charge a lower or higher price. But no matter what, don’t sign a contract if the scope of work isn’t broken down clearly and concisely.
The work scope is usually the first thing to consider. Line-by-line items should break down the work scope of each estimate to establish precisely what they will offer. A wide gap between the estimates indicates incomparable prices.
Comparing the scope of work helps you figure out when something is missing in an estimate and the reasons for the varying prices from each company. Because of how crucial the work scope is, many roofers would like to examine your roof before drawing up a price estimate to present to you. The roofer will get on your roof to take pictures or video recordings of areas that require attention, including dents, hail damage, degrading granules, and cracks during the inspection. They do this to create an inspection report and offer the best solutions.
One of the first signs to know that you shouldn’t opt for a roofing company is when they give you an estimate without assessing the state of your roof to understand what they will be dealing with. It indicates that they don’t care about you, your roof, or doing a great job. All they want is your money.
2. The Materials, Components, and Their Quality
For optimum functionality, every homeowner will want high-quality materials that will be visually appealing and durable. So, each estimate should contain the primary roofing materials and the other necessary components. Every estimate for a roof replacement project should contain the following: an underlayment, roof flashing, drip edge, roof vents, ice and water shield, and ridge capping.
When comparing the roof estimates, examine them to ensure they contain the necessary materials and components. Anyone missing out on essential items should be at the bottom of your scale. You should also pay attention to the quality of materials a roofer intends to use for your project. You shouldn’t trust them enough to settle for them if they are inferior or not ideal.
3. Quality of Skill or Labor
A job well done usually means more charges. Because prices, although not always the case, typically increase as the quality increases. Hence, a low charge for labor should make you raise a brow.
Often, roofing contractors who are cheap undercut their labor costs because they do not hire roofers with adequate skills. This affects the quality of roofs they install for their customers. Poorly skilled roofers with insufficient knowledge about the job may overlook essential elements that will give your roof the durability and longevity you desire.
You shouldn’t risk giving your roofing project to an unskilled roofer just because their service is cheaper.
4. Warranty for Workmanship
A workmanship warranty is the warranty a roofing company offers you when you get a new roof. It covers the cost of repairs due to installation errors, excluding the materials. The duration of this warranty varies for different roofers. Hence, comparing the workmanship warranties of your multiple roof estimates is vital. An ideal offer is one that is more than 25 years or a lifetime. The least we recommend is a 10-year workmanship warranty.
A roofing company that does not include a workmanship warranty in its estimate is not one you should work with. We highly do not recommend it, and we say you avoid them like a plague.
It is also essential to know that for the workmanship warranty to be valid, the roofing company has to remain in business. Therefore, hiring a company with a solid reputation and clean track record matters. Such companies have the potential to last in the industry.
5. The Services They Offer
There’s more to a roofing project than just the installation. There are other functions involved. Hence, an estimate should break down incidental costs like removal of old roofing material, cleanup after the roof installation, and other similar tasks. Although these things we mentioned seem like something roofing companies will ordinarily include in the estimate, Some cheap roofing contractors categorize those as extra services. So, don’t make assumptions if the roofing company does not state them clearly. Otherwise, you will end up incurring additional charges for such services.
6. Licensing and Insurance
Before hiring a contractor, you should compare your roof estimates and confirm that they are licensed and have a pass to work in your locality. A lack of license could mean any of the following: they do not have the knowledge or skill required to be certified legally, or they did but lost their certification as a result of misconduct or poor service in the past. Whatever the case, it is an indication that you can’t trust them with your roofing project if you do not want problems.
Another thing to be sure of is your roofer’s insurance. Do they have the right insurance to protect you from situations where there’s damage to your property or workers get hurt? If the answer is no, it means that you will bear the responsibility of bills for medicals, property repair, and hiring a different company to finish off the project. That doesn’t look attractive, does it?
Confirming that your roofer has insurance can be tricky because of how many roofers play smart about insurance. You can check by contacting your local municipality. Call them to confirm that a contractor is bonded, licensed, and insured before you hire them.
7. Precautionary Steps to Protect Your Home
Roofing contractors with a solid reputation usually take steps to prevent accidental damage to anything beneath the roofline. We consider this to be one of the significant aspects of replacing your roof.
Typically, the roofer uses tarps and plastic to protect your swimming pool, landscaping, attic, and other things around that are exposed to damage. This is why estimates should contain line-by-line items showing what they will apply, where they will use them, and how much they will cost.
8. Fine Print of the Roof Estimate
Before signing a contract, there’s a fine print that you have to carefully go through. The same thing applies to roof estimates. You must read the fine print for your roof estimate because it contains vital information on how a roofing company operates and exclusions.
Some even discreetly include a disclaimer stating they won’t be accountable for property damage and other exemptions. Hence, reading and comparing the fine print details is essential when you get multiple roof estimates.
9. Price
As a homeowner on a budget, you might naturally want to go for the roofer with the cheapest price. Before you decide, carefully compare the estimates and look at what they offer and the total cost. You may have to run when the price appears too low for the kind of service you expect. It simply means that they will skip some processes for the roofing procedure. Going ahead to hire such companies is like non-verbally agreeing to a shoddy job. It’s better to find alternative means to pay for a quality service rather than go for a cheap one, which will cause you to spend more money over time.
Conclusion
Obtaining several estimates is a smart way to compare roofers and identify the best one. However, do not go overboard with it. Comparing about two to three roof estimates is sufficient. Asking questions is also vital. When you ask the right questions, you can identify unreliable roofers.
Ultimately, just make sure you go for a company you trust. The nine factors we shared for you to consider when making your comparisons should make this selection process much easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many estimates should you get for a new roof?
We know the significance of comparing multiple roofing estimates. Hence, we recommend 2 to 3 estimates. That way, you get enough options to compare and not get overwhelmed.
