Make the scope specific
Confirm measured roof area, shingle product and grade, underlayment, ice-and-water protection where required, flashing details, ventilation, ridge components, and the number of layers to remove.
Ask how damaged decking is documented and priced. A per-sheet or per-foot allowance makes a later change easier to evaluate than an open-ended line item.
Review labor, protection, and cleanup
Check how landscaping, gutters, driveway, and attic contents will be protected. Confirm debris removal, magnetic nail sweep, access needs, work hours, and who handles permit applications.
Verify the company and warranty
Check applicable licensing and insurance independently. Read manufacturer and workmanship warranty documents, including registration steps, transferability, and exclusions. A warranty is only as useful as its written terms.
Fictional scope comparison
Two sample roof scopes to compare side by side
Fictional matched-scope examples only; no contractor prices are supplied. Both bids describe the same 2,200-square-foot roof and work so their written totals can be compared.
Proposal A · matched scope
One existing layer removed; same architectural asphalt shingle class and synthetic underlayment; flashing at penetrations and roof-to-wall transitions; intake and ridge ventilation described; decking at $____ per sheet after photos and written approval; dumpster, property protection, and magnetic nail sweep; product and workmanship warranty documents attached.
Proposal B · matched scope
Same measured area, one-layer tear-off, shingle class, and underlayment; same flashing and ventilation work; decking at $____ per sheet after photos and written approval; same dumpster, property protection, and magnetic nail sweep; product warranty attached and workmanship term stated as ____ years.
What to resolve: Fill each blank with the contractor’s written terms. If flashing, ventilation, decking rates, cleanup, or warranty differs, list the difference and price before treating the totals as comparable. “Included” and “not specified” are different answers.
Take it to the bid review
Roof proposal checklist
- Confirm measured sloped roof area, waste factor, and the number of layers included in tear-off.
- Write the decking price per sheet or linear foot, photo documentation, and approval process before repairs begin.
- Specify step, counter, valley, chimney, and penetration flashing—replace, reuse, or excluded.
- Describe intake, exhaust, and ridge ventilation work and any code-related corrections.
- List dumpster placement, property protection, debris removal, and magnetic nail cleanup.
- Separate manufacturer product coverage from workmanship warranty; attach terms and registration steps.
- Confirm permit responsibility, inspection timing, and how weather protection is handled.
Source and scope
Angi · roof replacement cost guideA broad national guide reference; project area, materials, and proposal scope can differ. The worked examples above are fictional.
This guide offers general planning information, not a local estimate or professional diagnosis. We do not include unsourced market statistics; see our methodology and editorial policy.