ROOFING FIELD NOTES / ESTIMATE CHECKLIST
What should a roof estimate include?
A roofing estimate should explain the work, materials, exclusions, price, and payment terms—not just give you a total. This checklist helps you spot missing details and ask better questions before accepting a quote.
BEFORE YOU ACCEPT A ROOFING QUOTE
Eight things to check in writing.
Read through your estimate and note anything it does not explain. Ask the contractor to clarify those items before you decide. You can use the same questions with one quote or several.
The work and roof areas
Does the quote explain the roofing problem, the proposed repair or replacement, and which areas are included? Ask what will remain in place and what is excluded, including interior repairs.
Removal, materials, and installation
Check which existing layers will be removed and which roof covering and underlayment will be installed. Material names and installation details make the proposal easier to understand than “new roof.”
Flashing, vents, and roof edges
Ask which flashing, vents, valleys, and edge details will be replaced, reused, or left outside the work. These details should be clear even when the main roof material is already specified.
Hidden damage and extra charges
Find out what happens if removal reveals damaged decking or other concealed conditions. Ask how additional work will be documented, priced, and approved before the price changes.
Permits and property protection
Confirm who checks the applicable permit requirements and handles required approvals. Discuss access, landscaping, debris removal, and cleanup.
Scheduling and changes
Ask about the proposed timing, weather delays, material availability, and who will contact you if the plan changes. Get agreed changes to the work or price in writing.
Warranty documents
Ask for the actual material and workmanship coverage that applies to the proposed work, including exclusions and the process for raising a concern. “Warranty included” does not explain those details.
Total price and payment terms
Check the written total, exclusions, allowances, and when payments are due. If financing is involved, review its separate fees, repayment schedule, and terms before agreeing.
Why the details change the comparison.
For example, one quote might include replacing chimney flashing while another reuses it. Those quotes describe different work. Ask what the inspection found and why each approach was proposed before comparing the totals.
If one contractor recommends repair and another recommends replacement, start with the findings: which areas are affected, what condition the rest of the roof is in, and why the recommendation fits.
No estimate yet? Start with your roof.
A checklist cannot establish which work your home needs. Roesler’s offers a free roof assessment with photos and explained findings so you can understand repair, replacement, or no immediate work before choosing a project.
Check local requirements and financing separately.
Permit requirements depend on the property and proposed work. Use the official local resources below, and keep any financing offer separate from the roofing proposal so you can understand both sets of terms.
A CLEARER NEXT STEP