Roof replacements and repairs are expensive projects for an average homeowner to undertake. It is impossible to determine the average roof replacement cost because there are so many factors involved, however, it is often in the high thousands. Furthermore, replacing or repairing a roof is often a very stressful period for the average homeowner because there is often an unwelcome event, such as a leak, that precedes the need for a roof replacement estimate.
As a whole, prices vary wildly from roofing contractor to roofing contractor. This can be due to a myriad of reasons, but it often comes down to quality of materials and overall quality of work completed. This is not to say that you should choose the most expensive roofer due to the assumption that they will be the highest quality, nor should you exclude the lowest roof replacement estimate with the thinking that their work will be subpar. We recommend receiving estimates from several companies and making your choice from there. For more information on this, we created a detailed guide to help homeowners choose a roofer. There are many factors you should look at when making your choice and overall price versus quality is definitely one of them. Most importantly, you should be prepared as to what should be included in an estimate for a roof replacement or repair.
What Should I Look for in a New Roof Estimate?
Roofing contractors should put together an estimate and go through it line-by-line to ensure that homeowners know exactly what they are paying for. The estimate should be as specific as possible with a line item list of what will be done. For example, you should know exactly how many roof layers will be torn off, how labor is factored into the estimate, how the contractor will protect your property, and much, much more.
Furthermore, try to avoid being constrained by any contractor’s roof estimate. Ranch Roofing offers free estimates for all of our potential customers because it benefits our customers in many different ways. Our belief is that our work speaks for itself and our customers should not feel obligated to work with us just because they received one of our estimates. Roofing contractors that make you pay for estimates are predatory in the sense that they play on basic psychology. The belief here is that since you paid for the estimate, you already have money involved with the particular roofing contractor, therefore you feel it is most financially prudent to continue working with them, so you don’t waste money on the estimate. During this time, these contractors essentially have you handcuffed to them and can charge more for their service. This is not a set-in-stone rule, and there are contractors that do not offer free estimates that offer fantastic service; however, it is a common trait with less than reputable services.
What Should My Roof Estimate Include?
More specifically, the estimate for your new roof or roof repair should include the following line items:
- How labor is factored into every aspect of the project
- How many layers will be torn off of the old roof
- The installation method to install a new roof
- If rotten decking needs to be replaced
- Whether or not a drip edge needs to be installed on the eaves (the lower edge of a roof hanging beyond the edge of a house) and rakes (the slanting edge of a roof at the end wall of a house)
- All of the roof system components, such as underlayment, ice and water shield, starter shingles, shingles, and ridge capping
- The different roof vents, pipe boots, and roof flashings required
- How the contractor will protect your property during the project
- The fees to dump the debris at the landfill and clean up your property
- The warranties you will get with your roof replacement
- How long the roof estimate is good for
- Your right to recession if you want to choose to back out of using a certain contractor
It’s important to ask roofing contractors what happens if they go over the roofing estimate. You want to ensure that you work with someone who believes in working ethically, correctly, and with your best interests in mind.
Free Roof Estimates
After all of this extensive information, you may be scratching your head and wondering, “What roofing companies near me give free estimates?” If you are in the market for a roof replacement or repair, please do not hesitate to contact us. Ranch Roofing offers free estimates because roof replacements are already expensive as is. We do not feel the want or need to nickel and dime our customers. At Ranch Roofing, we believe that our service can create and foster lifetime relationships with our customers, therefore, we do everything in our power to make them confident in choosing us as their roofing contractor. Adding on to the ability to shop around, free estimates allow customers to choose the contractor that is best for them without going broke before the actual process even begins.
We will connect you with one of our immensely talented salespeople to draft up your free estimate. We hope to hear from you and ultimately hope we become your choice to create your roof replacement estimate.