Short Answer
At minimum, homeowners should understand: materials, removal, disposal, flashing, underlayment, ventilation, decking assumptions, labor, warranties, exclusions, cleanup, and payment terms.
Detailed Explanation
A detailed roofing estimate should specify: the specific shingle product and manufacturer, the type of underlayment and ice-and-water membrane and where they'll be installed, what flashing will be replaced vs. reused, what ventilation will be installed, how decking replacement is handled (per-sheet cost), whether tear-off is included, disposal of old materials, labor, warranty terms (both manufacturer and workmanship), what's excluded from the scope, cleanup procedures, and payment terms. An estimate that only gives a total price without specifying these details makes it impossible to compare with other proposals and may hide scope differences that explain a lower price. A detailed, transparent estimate is a sign of a professional contractor.
Why It Matters
A detailed estimate allows fair comparison between contractors and prevents surprise costs during the project.
Questions to Ask Your Contractor
- ?What specific products are being used?
- ?What underlayment and ice-and-water protection are included?
- ?What flashing will be replaced?
- ?How is decking replacement priced?
- ?What's excluded from this estimate?