A detailed guide to reading roofing estimates: flashing, underlayment, decking, ventilation, and warranties—what matters most in Philadelphia.
Clarity beats charisma. A good estimate is specific and testable.
A professional roofing estimate should answer three questions:
If the answer to any of these is "trust me," push back and request specifics.
A surprisingly large percentage of roof leaks originate from flashing failures, not membrane or shingle problems.
Your estimate should explicitly address:
If flashing isn't mentioned or detailed in the estimate, expect problems down the road.
Professional contractors include a decking repair allowance or clear unit pricing (e.g., "$X per sheet of plywood replaced") so you can budget appropriately.
If there's no mention of decking, ask directly what happens if rot is discovered. The answer reveals a lot about how the contractor handles change orders and unexpected discoveries.
Two separate warranties typically apply to a roofing project:
Ask specifically what is excluded (common exclusions include storm damage, poor maintenance, and damage caused by other trades) and what the claims process looks like.
