How do you compare roof replacement quotes to find the best one?
Short answer. Compare roof replacement quotes line by line on the same items: the exact shingle product, underlayment, ice and water membrane, drip edge, flashing and pipe boots, ventilation, decking allowance, permit, cleanup and the written warranties. The lowest price often leaves out items the others include, so get every bid to show the same scope before comparing totals.
A side by side checklist
- Shingle: brand and exact product line, not just "architectural," plus any impact rating.
- Tear-off: full removal to the deck, and how many layers are included.
- Decking: the price per sheet for rotted plywood or OSB, and how many sheets, if any, are included.
- Underlayment: synthetic or felt, and where ice and water membrane goes, such as valleys, eaves, penetrations and low slopes.
- Metal: new drip edge at eaves and rakes, new step flashing and kickouts, and how chimney counterflashing will be handled.
- Penetrations: new pipe boots, vents and skylight flashing.
- Ventilation: ridge vent, intake changes, and whether old box vents come off.
- Starter and ridge cap: the manufacturer's matching products, which matter for system warranties.
- Permit: who pulls it, where required.
- Cleanup: magnetic nail sweep, landscaping protection and disposal.
- Warranties: the manufacturer warranty level and the contractor's workmanship warranty, in years, in writing.
Questions that reveal the difference
- Who will be on the roof, and who supervises the crew?
- How long will it take, and what happens if rain interrupts?
- How are change orders priced?
- What is the payment schedule? Large payments before any work is a red flag.
Insurance jobs
On a claim, the carrier's estimate sets what it pays, but your contractor should still list the scope in writing and supplement items the adjuster missed. Walk away from anyone offering to cover your deductible, which is illegal in Georgia.
Typical North Georgia full replacements run roughly $8,000 to $16,000, with large or complex roofs higher, so a bid far below the rest probably leaves something out. See roof replacement cost in Georgia and how to choose a roofing contractor in Georgia.