Reroofing your home can feel like a very big deal and trust me, it is, but with the right information on how to go about getting the best possible roofing estimate and other processes that come with it, you can make the best decisions for your home.
When it comes to home improvement projects, a roof replacement is undoubtedly the most overwhelming because of the high cost and importance it is to our homes.
I know what it feels like struggling to get the right roofing estimate that fits into your budget without exposing yourself to low-quality roofing work.
And not being an expert in the roofing industry and knowing how to hire the best roofing contractor for your next roofing project makes the problem enormous.
My goal for this post is to equip you with the right information you need to go about the process, get the best roofing estimate, and make sure your next roofing project goes well as planned.
What Exactly Are in a Roofing Estimate
If you have not done any roofing job in the past, the first mind-boggling question you might have is what’s in a roofing estimate.
A roofing estimate which most people call a roofing quote primarily consists of an estimate of the cost of materials and labor.
- Cost of material: The material cost is dependent on the type of shingles, quality, and the amount required by your roof. Knowing the type of shingles you want to use for your roof is of crucial importance as it will determine how long it will last you.
It’s best to go with a roofing contractor who can explain precisely the types of roofing material available to you, which one’s to consider, and why you should consider.
A contractor who “knows his stuff” should be able to explain these things to you which will enable you to make the right decision in the long run. - Labor cost: This typically includes the cost of removing the old shingles on your roof and replacing it with new ones. Sometimes there might be more to this depending on your situation, so its best advised speaking with a roofing contractor who will provide the labor cost after a thorough inspection.
Getting a roofing estimate or roofing quote is of high importance as it will enable you to make sure you have enough money set aside to finance the project and get the best roofing for your home.
Other Core Things You Should Expect On Your Roofing Estimate
- Work Description: You need to be carried along on what needs to be done and not left in the dark. They should be well-detailed on the work that is going to be done and the materials needed.
- Expected Timeline: The estimate should have the estimated timeline on how long it will take to start and complete the project. This can change once they find more damages as they start.
- Payment Information: The estimate should include payment information like the down payment, progress payments, end payments, and payment methods.
- Insurance and Licencing: You only need to be working with people who have the right papers and documentations. This does not only protects you from any form of liability in the aspect of the roofer but helps you to consider only the roofers who are serious about their business and not someone looking to make a quick buck.
- Guarantees: They should be able to provide both their workmanship and material guarantees. A good roofing company will even make a provision in the estimate where you can hold back their final payment until you’re satisfied with the job.
- Warranty: The estimate should come with the warranty information for workmanship and materials.
- Means of Exit: Every roof estimate should have a well-defined termination clause in case the contract is violated. Both parties should have the right to terminate the agreement without any sort of penalty in case one party fails to fulfill its promises according to the provisions of the agreement thereby causing a breach of contract.
- Other Charges: Roofing is an intense job that might incur other charges like removing debris, renting a dumpster to store the debris, and so on. The estimate should have a provision for such additional charges arousing.
Mistake to Avoid Before Signing a Contract with a Roofer
In as much as we have discussed extensively on what to expect on your roofing quote, there is one mistake you should never fall to and that is signing a contract with a roofer who hasn’t performed a thorough inspection to gain adequate knowledge on what should go into the roofing estimate.
The Cheapest Price isn’t Necessarily the Best Price
Most Roofers tend to beat their competitors with extremely low prices with the hope of winning more customers by doing so.
This is the major strategy most inexperienced roofers and those that deliver a bad job employ to gain market share and win more customers.
These have worked so well for them as more and more customers get convinced with the low prices being offered which will later on “end in tears” and cost the customer more money to get a good roofing company to revert the blunder caused by the inexperienced roofer that offered low pricing.
This does not suggest that the roofing companies that charge high prices are the best to work with as some can’t deliver on what they promised, regardless of how high their prices are.
But the tendency of getting a poor roofing contractor to reroof your home is higher when you go with the cheapest prices than when you hire the more expensive ones.
Just like the saying, “you get what you paid for”, which is true when it comes to a home repair project like a reroof.
No serious and well-qualified roofing company will underprice themselves just to have you as a client, as this will hurt the delivery of their work and reputation. And will ultimately be a disservice to the customer.
To help you determine the best roofing company to accept their roofing estimate and work with them for optimal results, I have put together 7 core questions to ask when getting roofing estimates.
These questions will help you to filter out the “bad eggs” which will reduce the possibility of choosing the wrong roofing company for your roofing project and also guide you towards selecting the most suited roofing company with the right pricing and capabilities to deliver great roofing work.
Core Questions to Ask When Getting A Roofing Estimate
- Do they provide material and workmanship warranties?
- How long will it take them to complete the project?
- What should you expect if they find more damages that were not noticed during the inspection?
- What are their payment terms such as payment due dates and the form of payment the contractor accepts
- Do they have references of past jobs similar to yours and customers feedback on those projects?
- What measures do they take to ensure the worker’s safety?
- Do they have a license and/or insurance?
The questions you can ask roofers are not limited to what we listed here, if you’re still unclear about any issues make sure to ask more questions or you can as well read this post from Homeadvisor to see other questions you can ask a roofer to get an accurate estimate and hire the best roofing company for your project.
Conclusion
Reroofing your home can feel like an overwhelming task, but getting the right information and a contractor who can explain to you what is required and break it down into small, easy-to-follow steps will make a simpler, straightforward process to follow and accomplish your goal.
To find out more about your project, what is required, and the expected cost, get in touch with our roofing experts and they will put you through with all you need to know concerning reroofing your home.
Click here to get a free consultation with one of our roofing experts.
