How to read a roofing bid

Bids are not comparable until scopes are

Two roofers can quote the same house $3,000 apart and both be honest. One priced ice and water shield to code, new flashing, and a ridge vent. The other priced shingles over what is there. The price difference is a scope difference, and the cheap bid becomes the expensive one on the day the crew finds the rotten decking.

The seven lines to find on every bid

1. Tear-off, and how many layers
2. Decking: what happens if boards are rotten, and the price per sheet
3. Underlayment and ice and water shield: where, and how many feet up the eaves
4. Flashing: replaced or reused, at chimneys, walls and pipes
5. Ventilation: what is being installed and whether it matches the intake
6. Warranty: workmanship years, and which manufacturer warranty tier
7. What is not included, in writing

If a line is missing, ask

A contractor who left something out will either add it (and the price moves) or explain why it does not apply to your house. Either answer is useful. Silence is the answer to worry about. The Bid Comparison Sheet in Guide 2 lays three bids side by side on exactly these lines, and the scorecard in Guide 1 covers the company behind the bid. If you would rather have it done for you, Compare your bids free reads them into the same lines.