🏠 Roofing Quote Breakdown: What Every Homeowner Should Check
A new roof is one of the biggest checks you'll ever write for your home — $8,000 to $25,000+ for an average house. At those numbers, a 20% overcharge costs you $2,000-5,000. Here's how to read a roofing quote like a pro.
The Anatomy of a Roofing Quote
Every roofing quote should break down into these components: tear-off (removing old shingles), decking repair (replacing damaged plywood), underlayment (waterproof barrier), materials (shingles/metal/tile), flashing (metal around chimneys, vents, walls), ventilation, labor, permits, and disposal. If any of these are missing, ask about them.
How Roofers Measure: The "Square"
Roofing is measured in "squares" — one square equals 100 square feet. A typical 1,500 sq ft ranch home has about 18-22 squares of roof area (accounting for pitch). A common scam is inflating the square count by 10-20%. If you know your home's footprint, you can estimate: multiply the footprint by 1.15-1.3 (depending on roof pitch) and divide by 100.
Material Costs: What's Fair?
For architectural (dimensional) shingles — the most common residential choice — materials run $250-600 per square installed. Three-tab shingles are $150-400 per square. Standing seam metal is $800-2,200 per square. If a quote lists "premium shingles" at $900/square, they'd better be luxury designer shingles, not standard architectural.
Red Flags in Roofing Quotes
No tear-off line item — Layering new shingles over old ones saves the roofer money but voids most warranties and hides damage. Always tear off. No underlayment specified — Ice & water shield should cover at least the first 3-6 feet from the eaves, with synthetic felt on the rest. No ventilation — Proper attic ventilation extends roof life by 25%. "Lifetime" warranty claims — Shingle manufacturer warranties are usually prorated after 10-15 years and don't cover labor.
Getting Competing Quotes
Always get 3 quotes minimum for a roof replacement. The quotes should be within 15-25% of each other. If one is dramatically lower, they're cutting corners. If one is dramatically higher, they're either padding or including upgrades the others aren't.