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The 17 lines every exterior bid should answer.
A low bid is usually a short scope. This is the list we read every bid into, built from the Bid Comparison Sheet in Guide 2: Bids, Estimates and Scopes of Work. Print it, lay each bid next to it, and mark each line: states it, leaves it unclear, or does not mention it.
Pick your trade. Eleven lines belong on every bid, whatever the trade. Six belong to the trade itself, because a window bid should not be asked about ridge cap. A job with two trades, like a roof and gutters, uses both sets of trade lines. It compares contractor scopes only. It never compares insurance coverage.
One page per trade: roofing is the one you will get. Pick another trade to switch.
- 01What comes off, and how many layers
- 02Hidden damage allowance (the price for rot or bad decking found underneath)
- 03Ice and water barrier
- 04Underlayment
- 05Drip edge, starter and ridge cap
- 06Ventilation, with the numbers
- 07Flashing and kick-outs
- 08Gutters: detach and reset, or replace
- 09Materials: brand and product line
- 10Permits
- 11Cleanup and disposal
- 12Workmanship warranty
- 13Manufacturer warranty tier
- 14Payment schedule
- 15Lien waivers (at the end only)
- 16Start window
- 17Exclusions
The six roofing lines. The other eleven are on every bid, any trade.
- 01What comes off, and how many layers
- 02Hidden damage allowance (the price for rot or bad decking found underneath)
- 03Weather barrier (house wrap) and taping
- 04Insulation board, if any
- 05Window and door flashing and trim
- 06Kick-outs and roof-to-wall flashing
- 07Corners, soffit and fascia
- 08Detach and reset (lights, dish, spigots, gutters)
- 09Materials: brand and product line
- 10Permits
- 11Cleanup and disposal
- 12Workmanship warranty
- 13Manufacturer warranty tier
- 14Payment schedule
- 15Lien waivers (at the end only)
- 16Start window
- 17Exclusions
The six siding lines. The other eleven are on every bid, any trade.
- 01What comes off, and how many layers
- 02Hidden damage allowance (the price for rot or bad decking found underneath)
- 03Window list: count, sizes, which openings
- 04Full-frame or insert
- 05Glass package, with the numbers
- 06Flashing, sill pan, and foam around the frame
- 07Interior trim and exterior capping
- 08Lead-safe work if the house is pre-1978
- 09Materials: brand and product line
- 10Permits
- 11Cleanup and disposal
- 12Workmanship warranty
- 13Manufacturer warranty tier
- 14Payment schedule
- 15Lien waivers (at the end only)
- 16Start window
- 17Exclusions
The six window lines. The other eleven are on every bid, any trade.
- 01What comes off, and how many layers
- 02Hidden damage allowance (the price for rot or bad decking found underneath)
- 03Size and material (5 or 6 inch, gauge)
- 04Seamless, and total feet
- 05Downspouts: count, size, length
- 06Hangers: type and spacing
- 07Guards, if any
- 08Fascia and drip edge repair
- 09Materials: brand and product line
- 10Permits
- 11Cleanup and disposal
- 12Workmanship warranty
- 13Manufacturer warranty tier
- 14Payment schedule
- 15Lien waivers (at the end only)
- 16Start window
- 17Exclusions
The six gutter lines. The other eleven are on every bid, any trade.
Have the bids already?
Send two or three and we read them into these lines for you, free for one project.
Compare your bidsRoofing line 6 has numbers
"Ridge vent" is not a ventilation line. The Attic Airflow Check and six questions turn it into numbers.
Does your roof breathe?The whole guide
Guide 2 explains every line, with the trade gap checklists for roofing, siding, windows and gutters.
Read Guide 2, freeBids in hand? Compare them free.
Send two or three contractor bids. We read each one into the same seventeen lines, mark what it states and what it leaves out, and print the questions to ask. Free for one project.