If your home's shingled roof is approaching the end of its lifespan or has suffered damage from a storm or other cause, making plans to repair or replace it should be high on your list of home improvement needs. The actual cost you will pay for the repairs will be affected by many factors, including the area where the home is located, the size and complexity of the roof, and the type of materials used for the project.
Since most homeowners do not possess the knowledge or access to information about the cost of roofing materials and skilled labor necessary to determine the most likely cost of their roof repair or replacement job, an estimate from the roofing contractor is necessary. Homeowners who are unfamiliar with contractor estimates for roofing will find the following information helpful.
Begin with the basics
Roofing estimates given by reputable roofing contractors should provide basic information, including business name and contact information, contractor licensing details, and any warranty information or disclaimers that pertain to the job. Some contractors also include information about their insurance coverage and bonding. If those details are not included, homeowners will want to ask the contractor to provide them.
Make sure the scope of work is correct
The estimate should also give detailed information about the scope of the roofing work to be done. This portion of the bid should contain pertinent details such as:
- a list of shingles and other materials needed for the work
- an estimate of both labor and material costs
- information about the fees for disposal of the old shingles
The bid should also show the date of the estimate and a reference to the length of time for which the estimate will be honored by the contractor. Most contractors issue estimates for a period of 90 days, but the time frame may differ for some projects. If the estimate is not accepted within the given time frame noted on the document, most roofing contractors retain the option to renegotiate the price or terms of the original bid.
Understand the right of rescission
When examining the estimate, homeowners should also make sure that a right of rescission is clearly stated. A right of rescission provides a time frame in which the homeowner can back out of the contract without penalty. In most areas, a three-day right of rescission period is considered the standard for contractors. Homeowners who back out of the contract after the right of rescission period has expired should be aware that they may face a penalty fee for doing so.
To learn more about the estimate process, homeowners should contact a roofing contractor in their area.
