By Alex Joy
When it’s time to start your roof replacement project, one of the things you will have to do is contact a number of roofing companies for estimates. During this process, you’re likely to come across different structures of roofing estimates. Some may simply tell you the total cost of the project while leaving out details of the costs of labor and materials. You may even get some that are as simple as a formal letter. Since there are no specific rules as to what should be included in a roofing estimate, you may be left wondering what should at least be included.
Although each estimate you’ll be getting will be different in some ways, having several estimates will help you to compare and contrast, and help you to get the best option for your roofing project.
What should you look for in a roofing estimate?
Whatever estimates you’re getting from any roofing company, you should be looking out for at least the following. If you require more information on a roof estimate for your home, please visit us at thedallasroofers.com.
Payment details
The payment information is one of the major reasons for having an estimate. So, when getting an estimate from a roofing company for your roof replacement project, details such as the accepted payment methods and payment due dates should be included. In fact, every roofing estimate should include these details because this is what defines the responsibilities of each party for every part of the project.
Subcontractor details
If your roofing contractor will need to outsource some part of the project to other subcontractors, then details of their details and their responsibilities must be included in the estimate. In this case, the payment terms such as the payment methods, down payments, and the number of installments should all be detailed in the estimate. There should also be a provision for what happens if you are not satisfied with their job, for example, holding back on the final payment until the job is completed satisfactorily.
Project timeline
The roofing estimate should also contain details of the project’s timeline and milestones. The start and the expected completion date of the project must be clearly written. The projected completion date may change due to unexpected circumstances.
Removal and disposal costs
Your old roof will have to be removed and the materials disposed of. The estimated cost of getting this down will need to be included in the roofing estimate. Also, the cost of the materials to be used for the project should be indicated. This includes the costs of flashing, roof covering, gutters, drip edges, underlayment, and ventilation. All materials used should be specified with details of the brand of products, the quantity of each material, the dimension or size of the materials, etc.
Guarantees and warranties
In addition to having a full description of how the roof replacement project will go, a roofing estimate should include guarantees on the job done and limited lifetime warranties on the materials used. Since each roofing material has an expected lifespan, warranties will protect you over a certain period of time. The guarantee will also ensure that you won’t have to pay for workmanship if something goes wrong with the roof within a specified duration.
Most lifetime warranties are about 50 years. However, the estimate should state whether the warranty can be transferred to a new owner if the property is sold. With your home well-maintained and the warranty on your roof transferable, your property’s value can be increased.
Contractor’s license and insurance
It is expected that the contractor that will be handling your roofing project should be licensed and insured. So, the roofing estimate should include details such as the license of the company, the liability insurance, and the compensation insurance for the workers. There should also be a form of protection for you in the event that the contractor fails to pay the subcontractors or suppliers.
Termination clause
A well-detailed roofing estimate should also include a termination clause or any other proper means of exit. This will detail the conditions under which you or the roofing contractor can terminate the agreement without any consequence if there is a violation of the contract’s terms.
Final thoughts
One of the most important things you want to do when considering roof replacement is to hire a reputable roofing company. Your project is very much likely to be safer with them than with a company that has no track record of successfully completed roofing projects.
You also want to get multiple quotes from different roofing contractors – A minimum of three estimates is usually recommended. And please, be careful of contractors that are too cheap. If it’s too good to be true, it is most likely a scam.
Be not deceived by a well-detailed estimate. Make sure you read customer reviews about the roofing contractor on trusted sites such as the Better Business Bureau.
