3 Tips To Compare Your Roof Replacement Quotes
Installing a new roof is a major financial commitment and a long-term upgrade to your home. The choices you make when replacing your roof will impact your home's appearance for many years, and your roofing contractor selection can also have major implications. Because this project can have such a substantial impact on your home, you'll usually want to receive more than one quote.
Unfortunately, understanding your roofing quotes might be a little more challenging than it appears at first glance. Not all roofers provide the same services or work with the same companies, making apples-to-apples comparisons trickier. These three tips will help you cut through the confusion and more easily compare quotes to select the right roofer for your needs.
1. Understand the Terminology
When you're replacing an asphalt shingle roof, there are several important terms you'll need to know. In particular, you should understand the difference between 3-tab and architectural shingles. 3-tabs are cheaper and less durable, while architectural shingles are higher-end, more attractive, and longer lasting. If one quote seems much lower, ensure it isn't for a cheaper shingle variety.
Underlayment is another important term. The underlayment is the layer between your shingles and decking, providing added moisture protection. Different roofing systems will use different underlayments, and some may include additional frost protection. Higher-end systems use more expensive underlayments, so this is another area that can account for differences between quotes.
2. Ask About Warranties
Roofing warranties can be surprisingly complex. At the most basic level, the roofing system you purchase should include a warranty from the manufacturer. This warranty will usually have the longest term, but it will only cover material defects in your roof. Although the manufacturer will replace defective shingles, don't expect them to pay for replacement labor.
On the other hand, labor warranties can vary between contractors. These warranties may also be known as "workmanship" warranties. Most roofers will warranty their work for defects, but the warranty length won't always be the same. Always carefully examine each contractor's warranty terms and details when comparing two roof replacement quotes.
3. Discuss Brand Details
While shingles broadly fall into 3-tab and architectural categories, there's plenty of variation within these categories between brands. Roofers often have preferred brands and may recommend products ranging from budget-friendly to high-end. Sometimes, a contractor may bring a higher quote to the table because they work with more premium products.
When receiving a quote from a contractor, always ask about the brands they use and their recommendations. You can research these brands later and use this information to make a more informed choice between contractors. By doing some homework, you'll understand better why one contractor's material costs may be higher than another's.
