Roof Replacement Estimate Checklist: Compare Two Bids

Before choosing a roofer, find the line that prices damaged decking. One bid might include five sheets and another might charge from the first sheet. That one difference can reverse the order of two quotes. Use the worksheet below to put removal, materials, flashing, ventilation, cleanup and warranties on comparable terms.

Two contractors can look at the same roof and hand you totals that seem impossible to compare. Usually they are describing different jobs. One may include replacing all flashing while the other reuses it; one may add ridge vents while the other leaves ventilation as is; one may quote decking repairs at a unit price while the other folds an allowance into the total. Owens Corning advises looking beyond the initial price to what is included, including both the manufacturer's product warranty and the contractor's workmanship warranty ( Owens Corning ). GAF's breakdown of a replacement walks through the same kinds of components: removal of the old roof, deck inspection and repair, underlayment, flashing, ventilation and cleanup ( GAF ).

For a planning range before the bids arrive, use the Cost Estimator or browse local pages in the roof cost directory . For an overview by roof type, see the roof replacement cost guide . Then use your local quotes to price the actual job.