Start with the scope
Make sure each estimate describes the same job. A tear-off down to the deck is a different job than an overlay; replacing underlayment and flashing is different from resetting tile. If one estimate is much lower, look for what it leaves out.
A line-by-line checklist
- Removal: what comes off, and is disposal included?
- Deck: how is damaged decking handled and priced?
- Materials: brand and product names for underlayment, coating, tile, or shingle.
- Flashing and metal: new or reused drip edge, valleys, pipe jacks, and curb flashing.
- Ventilation: any changes to vents on pitched roofs.
- Drainage: scuppers, crickets, and slope corrections on flat roofs.
- Permit: is one needed, who obtains it, and is the cost included?
- Cleanup: nails, debris, and protection of landscaping.
- Schedule: start window and what happens if a storm hits mid-job.
Warranties
There are usually two: the manufacturer's material warranty and the contractor's workmanship warranty. Ask for both in writing, including length, what is covered, and what voids them.
Check the contractor
- Look up the license on the Arizona Registrar of Contractors site, roc.az.gov, and confirm the license class covers roofing.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and, if they have employees, workers' compensation.
- Read the contract before signing and keep a copy.
- Be cautious of large upfront payments; ask how deposits and progress payments are structured.
After a storm
After big storms, door-to-door solicitors sometimes appear. Take your time, verify the license, and do not sign anything that assigns your insurance benefits without understanding it.
Ready to get an estimate? Send a request. Your request may be shared with an independent roofing contractor.