If you're concerned about your roof making it through another year of wind, rain, and sun exposure, it may be time to get an estimate for a new roof. If you've never had to put a new roof on before, you may not know what to expect. Here's a general overview of what a roofing estimate entails.
Your Roof Is Measured
The roofer needs to know the size and pitch of your roof to determine the amount of shingles the roof needs. The more accurate the measurement, the more accurate the estimate will be. You can visit a roofing supply or home improvement store and check prices for roofing materials to see if the roofing company gives you a good price. However, keep in mind that it's customary to mark up the price of shingles and other supplies, such as flashing and roofing nails, so the roofer will probably charge more than you'd pay if you bought the materials yourself.
The Roof Is Inspected
The roofing company needs to know the condition of the roof as well as the size. Some things the roofer checks for are multiple layers of shingles and water damage to the deck. If your roof is in good shape and only has a single layer of shingles, the roofer might apply new shingles over the old ones.
This would result in a much lower cost than if the contractor has to tear off two layers of old shingles or replace part of the deck. Since the deck is covered by shingles, it might be necessary to look in your attic for a full assessment of the roof's condition.
The Labor Is Calculated
In addition to charging for materials, the roofing company also charges for labor. Labor costs depend on how difficult and time-consuming the work will be. Costs are determined by an hourly rate, the number of employees working on your roof, and the length of time the crew is expected to work.
Additional Charges Are Considered
The roofing company may need to add overhead charges and charges for things like renting a dumpster and disposal fees for old roofing materials. When all expected costs are included in the estimate, the estimate is more likely to be accurate. However, it's important to know that an estimate is just an estimate of the cost, and it may turn out you need to pay more if damage is found during the process that the roofer didn't know about when the estimate was given.
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