A roof replacement estimate is the first step in any roofing job, and in many ways, this can also be the most confusing part of the job for the homeowner.  That’s because an estimate is a legal contract and contains a lot of legal language that may not be easy to understand.  Since replacing a roof can be a considerable expense, before you sign a contract with a roofer for a replacement job it is important to understand exactly what is covered in your estimate.  That way you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for.

Before hiring a contractor, you’ll need to know what they intend to charge you for the job.  In order to determine this, the contractor will need to come to your home and check out the specifics of your roof including size, current condition and the extent of any repairs that may need to be done.  Then he can make an estimate of your roof replacement cost.  In the Adams, Cumberland and York County area most contractors will also need to take weather into consideration, both in terms of actually doing the work and in using the proper materials to stand up to bad weather conditions.

Once the contractor has seen the state of your roof, he can then make a roof repair estimate.  The two main parts of an estimate are materials and labor.  The materials section should take into consideration anything that might need to be repaired or replaced as well as everything that will be needed to complete the job, from shingles and flashing to fasteners and accessories.  If you have any special requests as the homeowner, the contractor should also include these as part of the overall cost.

While the size of the roof will dictate the amount of materials needed, the type of shingles used and the brand can also affect the overall roof replacement estimate.  Simply put, some brands are more expensive than others, and the same holds true for various materials.  Slate shingles will cost a considerably different amount than asphalt, for instance.  At DePalma Construction, we use GAF Timberline HD shingles, which are the thickest and most ultra-dimensional shingles available today.  We feel the quality of GAF products far outweighs the cost.

At DePalma Construction, we use GAF Timberline HD shingles, which are the thickest and most ultra-dimensional shingles available today.  We feel the quality of GAF products far outweighs the cost.

One thing that is often overlooked when considering roof replacement cost is making sure that you include every single part of the materials.  Even something as small as a standing seam metal panel can affect the bottom line, and if you leave it out at the time that the estimate is written up, you may find yourself paying more in the long run.  The time to think of the details is up front so that you can be sure that you and your contractor are on the same page.  This way you’ll know that your roof repair estimate is as accurate as possible.

Of course, materials are only half the story in any roof replacement estimate.  The other major factor is labor.  This is where you can really differentiate one contractor from another.  Most contractors will be more focused on their own profits than your convenience, which is why job completion times and crew size can be adjusted to their benefit.  That is something that will never happen at DePalma Construction because most jobs are completed in one day, from start to finish.  And we’ll make sure that we have the right size team to deliver on that promise.

We understand that your time is as precious as your home and we go out of our way to make sure that you are inconvenienced as little as possible.  That extra effort will be reflected in your roof replacement cost.  Of course, you will probably want to get estimates from several local contractors and compare them before you make a final decision, and that’s as it should be.  This is not a decision that you should make lightly, and when you do compare, we urge you to pay careful attention to the labor section, as that’s where the difference between one roof repair estimate and another will be most obvious.

We understand that your time is as precious as your home and we go out of our way to make sure that you are inconvenienced as little as possible.  That extra effort will be reflected in your roof replacement cost.

There are two other sections of a roof replacement estimate that you’ll want to be aware of: exclusions and guarantees.  Exclusions are any particular circumstances that may arise during a job that the contractor will want to be sure he is not held liable for.  This can include paint or concrete damage that occurs during a job or other specific damages.  Once you sign off on a contract with exclusions included you will not be able to get any recompense should the listed exclusions occur.

The other notable factor in your roof replacement cost is guarantees.  Most contractors will offer some form of guarantee on their work, and there may also be manufacturer’s warranties on materials.  DePalma offers a 20-year workmanship guarantee on every job and that’s on top of the Golden Pledge Guarantee, which comes with warranty on materials along with a 25-year workmanship warranty from GAF.  All of which gives you extra peace of mind that you are getting the best for your family.

Not only do we offer GAF’s Golden Pledge, but we are also one of a very small percentage of contractors worldwide who offer MasterElite coverage, which includes the added security of having a certified GAF inspector come to your home and inspect our work.  This way when you sign your roof repair estimate, you’ll know that you are getting the best materials and the best possible work.

A roof replacement estimate is where the whole process begins and the more you understand what’s in your estimate, the better off you’ll be.  Don’t be afraid to comparison shop and look over your estimate carefully before signing it.  Once it is signed, it is legally binding, so you and your contractor will have to mutually agree on any changes or face the prospect of legal action.  That’s a headache that you don’t need to deal with, so take a few extra steps up front, and you can avoid it altogether.