What should a roofing estimate include?

Start with the roof and the reason for the work

Record the property address, the areas included, and the problem the proposed work addresses. A repair around one penetration and a complete roof replacement serve different needs. Ask the contractor to show how the inspection findings support the recommendation.

Keep a separate note for items outside the roof itself. A ceiling stain, damaged siding, and a leaking gutter may require different work. Ask whether those items are included, excluded, or still awaiting an assessment.

Identify materials and the work around them

Look for the proposed roof covering and product details, along with a description of removal, flashing, ventilation, and installation. NRCA’s consumer guidance recommends checking these items when comparing proposals. Its resources are linked below.

For your comparison, write the exact product named in each proposal beside any alternative offered. If one proposal says only ‘architectural shingles,’ ask for enough detail to compare it with the other option. Discuss which existing components will be retained and why.

• Roof covering: manufacturer, product line, and selected color or selection allowance.
• Existing materials: what will be removed, retained, and hauled away.
• Roof details: what is proposed at valleys, edges, walls, chimneys, and pipe penetrations.
• Ventilation: what is included and what findings led to that recommendation.

Make concealed-damage decisions clear in advance

A visible inspection cannot reveal every condition beneath the roof covering. Ask how the contractor will document additional decking work discovered after removal, how that work will be priced, and how you will approve a change.

Put three questions on your comparison sheet: What is already included? What could create an additional charge? Who contacts me before the scope changes? An unanswered question is a reason to clarify the proposal, not proof that the contractor has included the item.

Plan property access and daily communication

Ask where materials and debris containers will go, which driveway areas need to stay clear, and who will provide schedule updates. Share concerns about pets, outdoor furniture, gardens, deliveries, and access to the garage before the start date is set.

Confirm what cleanup and the final review include. Keep the project contact’s name and a list of open questions in one place so you do not need to reconstruct a conversation once work is underway.

Read the price, exclusions, and warranty information together

Review the written payment schedule and the warranty documents for the proposed work. A product warranty and a contractor’s workmanship warranty may address different issues. Ask which applies, who provides it, and how to report a concern.

A lower total may reflect a different scope or an exclusion. Before comparing price alone, mark every line that appears in one proposal but not the other and ask each contractor to explain the difference.

Use this side-by-side comparison worksheet

For each proposal, write down the answer to the following prompts. Use ‘needs clarification’ when an item is missing instead of assuming it is included.

• Work area and inspection finding: which problem is this proposal intended to resolve?
• Material choice: which exact product am I comparing?
• Retained components: what stays in place, and what is the reason?
• Concealed damage: how is additional work documented, priced, and approved?
• Property access: what do I need to move or arrange before work begins?
• Exclusions: which related repairs require a separate scope?
• Completion: what records and warranty information will I receive?
• Open questions: what must be clarified before I choose?

Prepare for an estimate from Best Roofing Pros

Tell us the property location, what you have noticed, and whether you are planning a repair or considering replacement. If you have them, bring previous repair notes and photos taken from a safe location. You do not need to diagnose the roof before contacting us.

Our team serves homeowners from Chesterfield, Eden Prairie, Naperville, Wichita, and Charlotte. We assess the condition, explain the recommended work, and provide a written estimate for your property.

Further reading

• NRCA consumer resources: comparing contractor proposals

Explore the services for your project

• Roof replacement
• Roof repair
• Storm damage roofing

Find your local team

• Roof Replacement in Chesterfield, MO
• Roof Replacement in Eden Prairie, MN
• Roof Replacement in Naperville, IL
• Roof Replacement in Wichita, KS
• Roof Replacement in Charlotte, NC

Related guides

• Roof inspection checklist: prepare and understand the findings
• Roof repair or replacement? Start with condition
• Asphalt, metal, or tile: comparing roofing materials