How a roofing estimate works and how to compare the ones you collect

The six steps

Getting a roof estimate shouldn't feel like a mystery. Gregg Roofing's office follows the same six steps for every customer in Camas, Washougal, Vancouver and the Skamania County area, and knowing the sequence makes it easier to spot a company that skips one.

• Contact our office. You call, email or send a request online to schedule your free roofing estimate.
• Schedule your appointment. Someone from the office contacts you to set an inspection time that suits you.
• Roof inspection and measurements. An estimator visits the property to inspect and measure the roof.
• Estimate preparation. The estimate is put together back in the office, using current market pricing for material and labor.
• Receive your estimate. It's sent by email or mail, whichever you prefer.
• Accepting your estimate. You sign and return a copy, and scheduling begins once it's received.

What happens at the inspection

The visit is where the estimate is won or lost. The estimator looks at the roof surface, the flashing, the vents and penetrations, the valleys, the gutters and the edges. If they can see damage, they note it. They measure the roof so the material order matches what's actually on your house, not a guess from a satellite photo.

It helps to be ready for the visit. Walk the estimator to any spot where you've seen a stain, heard dripping or noticed a draft in the attic, and mention how long you've lived in the house and what you know about the existing roof. Those details save time and sharpen the estimate.

Gregg Roofing's estimators have been in the trade for 20 years or more. Ask them what they see and why. The company's approach is to teach customers, to help them understand what went wrong and how to avoid it, so questions are welcome, not a nuisance.

Why the estimate isn't handed over on the spot

You may wonder why the estimate arrives by email or mail rather than from the truck. It's because the price is built in the office from current material and labor costs, with the measurements in front of someone. A number given in a driveway in two minutes is usually a rough guess, and rough guesses tend to change once the job starts.

Comparing more than one estimate

It's smart to collect several. One Vancouver-area homeowner wrote in a Google review that he got six estimates for a metal roof replacement. He said the Gregg Roofing estimate was the most competitive, extremely detailed and comprehensive, and addressed all of his concerns. He also said the final price was almost exactly what was initially quoted. We're quoting a customer, not promising your outcome, but those are the qualities worth comparing.

Lay the estimates side by side and look at the following, because a lower number can hide a thinner scope.

• Materials. Is the shingle or metal line named, with the product line and color?
• Tear-off. How many layers are being removed, and where does the debris go?
• Underlayment, flashing and vents. Are they replaced or reused? Which ones?
• Decking. What happens if rotted wood is found, and how will you be told?
• Cleanup. Is magnetic sweeping of the yard and driveway included?
• Schedule. When would the work start, and how long should it take?
• Payment terms. What's due, and when?

Ask each roofer the same questions in the same order. You'll learn as much from how they answer as from the number on the page.

Be a little careful with the bid that comes in far below the rest. Sometimes it reflects a leaner overhead. Sometimes it leaves out the flashing, the underlayment or the decking allowance that the others included. When a number looks too good, ask what was left out, and get the answer in writing.

Check the business behind the bid

Gregg Roofing, LLC is licensed, bonded and insured in both Washington and Oregon, and the license numbers are published. Whoever you choose, ask for their contractor license number and confirm it with the state before you sign. Ask about insurance, too. These are quick checks that protect you.

Before you sign

Read the whole estimate, not just the total. Make sure the scope matches what you were told at the inspection, and ask about anything that isn't clear. Remember that under Gregg Roofing's process, scheduling begins once your signed copy is received, so the signature is the starting gun.

To get started, call the Camas office at (360) 834-3902 or send a request online for your free estimate. If you've already got a few bids in hand, bring them along. An honest estimator won't mind being compared.