Budget Planning: What to Look For in a Roof Estimate

Replacing a damaged roof can be intimidating at first. Being a hefty investment, a roof replacement will need a lot of planning. And one of the most crucial parts of this process is setting your budget.

It can be hard to accurately estimate the costs, however. That’s why homeowners turn to contractors for more accurate estimates. But if you’re having your roof replaced for the first time, you may not know what to expect in an estimate. And this can make it hard to gauge its accuracy.

The Great American Roofing Company, a top roofing contractor in the state, lists down what you should look for in a roofing estimate below.

Preliminary Roof Inspection

The contractor would usually visit your home first and conduct a roof inspection. Based on the damage, he’ll then come up with an estimate, which should always include a breakdown of the material and labor costs.

Material Costs

The contractor should outline the total cost of the roofing materials. Make sure to ask them what brand they’ll be using. Premium materials from larger manufacturers tend to cost more, but their quality more than makes up for the extra cost.

And if your contractor will be using materials from large manufacturers, you may want to take advantage of some of their special offers. For example, some manufacturers, like GAF, offer exclusive warranties for roofs installed by contractors it has certified.

Labor Costs

Labor costs are usually broken down into particular tasks, e.g., tearing off and installing shingles. They’re usually varied.

Miscellaneous Costs 

Some contractors may include other miscellaneous costs, such as the cost of renting a dumpster for construction debris and the post-installation clean-up. Keep in mind that these estimates can never be truly accurate; your contractor may encounter other issues during the actual installation that may add to the total cost. In any case, these estimates still play an important part in budget planning.

While this is by no means a guarantee of accuracy, you can always get an estimate from a certified and experienced contractor, just to be on the safe side. The Great American Roofing Company is a family-owned contractor with a GAF Master Elite® certification and over four decades’ worth of experience in the industry. Got a leaking roof? We offer emergency roof repairs as well as a variety of other services. To get a free quote, call us at (201) 515-2007 or fill out this form.