Two roof-replacement estimates can name the same shingle and still describe different jobs. One may include replacing flashing and a stated allowance for damaged wood. Another may leave both for later. Before comparing the totals, compare what each contractor has actually agreed to do.
This checklist is for homeowners gathering quotes in Flagler County and Volusia County. It does not supply a price per square foot: the roof needs to be inspected and measured, and the written scope needs to fit the house.
Start With the Same Roof and the Same Work
Ask each contractor to identify every roof section in the proposal. Does the quote cover the garage, porch and low-slope addition, or only the main house? Are gutters, fascia repairs or detached structures included? Mark exclusions before deciding that one total is lower.
Write those answers side by side on a sheet of paper. Use three headings: included, excluded and not yet specified. An unanswered question belongs in the third column until the contractor clarifies it in writing. Do not fill the gap with an assumption.
Ask for Materials by Name
The proposal should identify the planned roof covering and the other components that make up the system. Ask about underlayment, edge metal, starter and ridge materials, flashing and pipe penetrations. If existing parts will remain, ask which ones and why.
A color sample helps you choose appearance. It does not explain the installation. Ask the contractor to show how the proposed materials suit the roof's different slopes and transitions. If you are comparing shingles with metal roofing, keep the different systems separate rather than treating their totals as interchangeable.
Make the Damaged-Wood Allowance Clear
Ask how the contractor will handle decking that needs replacement after the old covering is removed. Is any quantity included? How will additional work be measured and priced? Will photographs be supplied, and who authorizes a change before the additional work proceeds?
Keep an allowance separate from a guarantee. A line saying that some decking is included does not establish the condition of every concealed area. The useful part of the estimate is a clear process for documenting and approving whatever is found.
Clarify the Job Around the Roofing Work
- Removal and disposal: What existing materials are being removed, and who hauls them away?
- Weather planning: How will exposed areas be protected if work is interrupted?
- Permits and inspections: Who handles the applicable approvals, fees and inspection scheduling?
- Property access: Where will materials and debris containers go, and what needs to move?
- Cleanup: What is included around driveways, landscaping and outdoor living areas?
- Completion: What documents and photographs will you receive before the job is closed?
These are practical scope questions, not promises that every contractor packages the work the same way. Put the agreed answers into the proposal rather than relying on a conversation beside the driveway.
Read the Warranty as Carefully as the Price
Ask for the product warranty and any contractor workmanship warranty, with their actual terms. Confirm who responds if a problem appears, whether labor is included, and what maintenance or registration conditions apply. A long headline term does not tell you everything about coverage.
The Owens Corning contractor checklist recommends a written work description, a thorough roof-system inspection, attention to manufacturer specifications and a clear warranty explanation. It is useful as a discussion guide; it does not establish which warranties your particular quote includes.
Resolve the Differences Before Choosing
Send each contractor the remaining questions and ask for a revised written scope. Once the coverage, materials, allowances and exclusions are clear, the price comparison becomes more meaningful. Keep the accepted version with any later changes so everyone is working from the same agreement.
Planning a roof replacement in Flagler County, Volusia County or St. Johns County? Ask R&K Certified Roofing of Florida for an estimate, and bring your questions about the proposed system and scope.
