Most people only need a roofer a handful of times, so it’s hard to know what a good quote looks like. This guide explains what a roofing quote should include, how to compare them fairly, and the warning signs to look out for.
Estimate or quote?
The two words get used as if they mean the same thing, but they don’t.
- An estimate is a rough figure, often given over the phone or after a quick look. It’s useful for budgeting, but it can change.
- A quote is a fixed price for a defined piece of work. It should only change if you agree to extra work, or if something is found that nobody could have seen, such as rotten timber under the tiles.
Our guide to replacement roof costs gives typical Leeds prices to help you budget. For the real figure, a roofer needs to see the roof.
What a roofing quote should include
It should be in writing
A verbal price is easy to argue about later. Make sure you get the quote by email or on paper, with the company’s name, address and contact details on it. A quote with only a mobile number and no address is a warning sign.
A clear description of the work
The quote should say exactly what’s being done, in plain terms. For a re-roof, that means stripping the old covering, the membrane and battens being fitted, the tiles or slates being used, how the ridge is fixed, and what happens to the leadwork, chimney and guttering. For a repair, it should say which part of the roof is being repaired and how.
If two quotes describe the job very differently, ask each roofer why. One of them may have spotted something the other missed.
Materials
The quote should name the main materials, ideally by make and type, for example a specific tile or slate and a breathable membrane. “Supply and fit new tiles” tells you very little.
Access, scaffolding and waste
These are the items most often left out of a cheap quote and added later. Check whether the price includes:
- Scaffolding or other access, such as a cherry picker for high-level work
- Skip hire or waste removal
- Any permits, such as a scaffold licence if the scaffold goes on the pavement
Our post on whether a roof replacement needs scaffolding explains more.
What happens if hidden damage is found
Some problems only show once the roof is open, especially rotten rafters or battens. A good quote explains how this will be handled, usually by stopping to show you the problem and agreeing a price before carrying on.
The condition of your roof
Many roofers explain what’s wrong with the roof and why they’re recommending the work, often with photos. This helps you understand the quote and compare it with others.
The guarantee
The quote should state the guarantee on the roofer’s workmanship, and any manufacturer warranties on the materials. Guarantees on new roofs are normally longer than on repairs, because a repair only covers part of an older roof. For example, our new pitched roofs generally come with a 10-year leak-free guarantee, and our repairs with a 1-year workmanship guarantee. Our post on whether new roofs are guaranteed explains what to look for.
Timings and payment
The quote should give a rough start date, how long the work will take, and when payment is due. Be wary of anyone asking for a large payment up front, especially in cash.
How many quotes should you get?
For anything bigger than a small repair, two or three quotes is usually enough. Any more and the details start to blur. Make sure every roofer is quoting for the same job, or the comparison means nothing.
Why do roofing quotes vary so much?
It’s common for quotes for the same roof to be thousands of pounds apart. The usual reasons are:
- Different work. One roofer may be quoting for a full re-roof and another for a patch repair. Neither is necessarily wrong, but they aren’t the same job.
- Different materials. Concrete tiles, clay tiles and natural slate all cost very different amounts, and some roofers reuse sound tiles to keep costs down.
- What’s left out. Scaffolding, skips, leadwork and timber repairs can all be missing from the cheapest quote.
- Insurance and overheads. A properly insured, established company with trained staff costs more to run than someone working cash-in-hand, but you have someone to go back to if there’s a problem.
Warning signs
Take care if a roofer:
- Knocks on your door saying they’ve noticed a problem with your roof
- Offers a big discount if you agree today
- Won’t put the price in writing
- Asks for a large cash payment before starting
- Has no landline, address or reviews you can check
Cold callers offering roof work are a common scam. Our post on moss scam artists covers one version of it.
Choosing the right quote
The cheapest quote isn’t always the best value. Pick the one where you understand exactly what’s being done, the materials and guarantee are clear, and the company has reviews and past work you can check.
If you’re not sure whether you need a repair or a full replacement, a roof survey gives you a clear picture of the roof’s condition before you ask for quotes.
Get a quote from DPR Roofing
We quote for roof repairs, new roofs and roof replacements, flat roofing, guttering and commercial roofing across Leeds and West Yorkshire. Call us on 0113 335 0043 or send us your details to arrange a visit.