When it’s time to repair or upgrade your roof, getting a roofing estimate might feel like just another step in home maintenance. However, a roofing estimate is more than just a price tag; it’s an integral part of the process that can make or break your experience with a roofing contractor.

When you check closely, you’ll mostly realize that besides price, there are hidden clues about the contractor’s professionalism, commitment to quality workmanship, and transparency. If you’re about to sign your next roofing estimate for repair or upgrade work, consider these five red flags before putting ink to paper.

There’s No Clear Scope of Work

Any roof replacement work entails numerous activities, from removing the old roof to installing the new roofing material. If a contractor fails to list the specific activities they intend to undertake as line items on the quote they give you, this should be a red flag. A lack of a clear scope of work may keep you wondering what the contractor charges for and how the cost is distributed across their specific services.

You may also want to compare estimates from different companies, and you can only understand the difference in pricing if a clear scope of work is included in each quote. Signing a contract with an unclear scope of work could lead to more expensive repair or replacement work when the contractor starts introducing new charges during the contract.

Unusually Low Pricing

One of the main red flags to watch out for is an unusually low pricing or bid. Exceptional roofing services should come at a fair price with a clear breakdown of every service you’re paying for and no hidden charges. Genuine contractors will charge a fair price to cover the cost of materials, insurance, labor, and warranties. Unusually low bidding can mean you’re exposed to one or all of these problems once the project kicks off:

  • Hidden fees: Most contractors initially share low bids to lure you into the contract, only to introduce extra charges once the work begins. The new charges will mostly be categorized under unforeseen issues or new developments they only realize as the work continues.
  • Low-quality materials: If you don’t suffer hidden fees and the contractor proceeds with the initial low budget, you’ll probably have to do with low-quality materials. This could be nails, shingles, or other materials that won’t last long, causing problems like leaks and poor insulation soon after work.
  • Poor workmanship: Poor workmanship is the most likely outcome of lowball pricing because the contractor might be cutting corners on labor by hiring inexperienced workers.

To avoid all these problems, always get multiple estimates and ask for a detailed breakdown of what’s included in a bid before accepting it.

No Mention of Warranties

Another major red flag is when your contractor avoids mentioning or discussing warranties in their estimates. A roofing project is a long-term investment that costs a lot of money. A reputable contractor will always offer warranties for the labor and material used for roof repair or upgrade.

You should expect a workmanship or manufacturer’s warranty or both to be covered in your quote as a sign of goodwill and quality services. The workmanship warranty covers the installation and labor issues, ensuring that the contractor returns to fix any issues caused by faulty installation.

On the other hand, a manufacturer’s warranty covers the roofing materials used, such as shingles, which means you should be compensated if damage occurs within the warranty period. A lack of warranties on a contractual agreement should raise concerns about the contractor’s abilities to deliver high-quality work. Always ask if they can guarantee their work; if not, find a better alternative.

Lack of Reference or Portfolio

As a service work, roofing solutions can only be proven by the company’s portfolio or references. This could be an online catalog of images and videos showcasing previous work or reviews left by previous clients.

If the roofing contractor lacks either or both of these, it’s a big red flag and an indication they can’t deliver what they claim to offer. You should ask the contractor to provide at least three examples of past work or references to prove their experience and reliability. This is especially important if they charge premium prices that only experienced contractors charge.

Unwillingness to Review the Roofing Estimate With You

A successful roofing quotation process includes a detailed breakdown of the process, both in written form and as a live discussion between you and the roofer. This way, you can ask questions about areas of concern such as material costs, duration of work, and labor. If a contractor is not willing to have this discussion with you, you should worry about their intentions and take a step back.

Unwillingness to review the roofing estimate with you often indicates there’s something the roofer is not being honest about. On the contrary, reputable roofers will have no problem reviewing the roofing estimate with you to make you feel comfortable signing it.

Identifying red flags early in a roofing project ensures a smooth and seamless process. By strictly looking out for these occurrences in your estimates and backing out in time, you can save significant amounts of time and other resources. Always ensure you’re getting a good bargain for a successful project.