What should a roof repair estimate include?
Short answer. A solid roof repair estimate names what failed and why, describes exactly what will be removed and replaced and where, lists the materials, states a price per sheet for any rotted decking found, and spells out the workmanship warranty. It should come with photos of the problem, so you are not paying to fix something you have never seen.
What a good estimate spells out
- The diagnosis. "Cracked pipe boot on the rear slope above the hall bath" is useful; "fix leak" is not.
- The scope. How many shingles or which runs of flashing, on which slope, and whether the shingles above will be lifted and resealed.
- Materials. Shingle line and color if matching, flashing metal, boot type, and underlayment for any area opened up.
- Decking contingency. A price per sheet if soft decking turns up, so a surprise does not become an open checkbook.
- Interior and cleanup. Nail and debris cleanup, and a clear note that drywall or paint inside is not included unless listed.
- Warranty. How long the repair is guaranteed and what voids it. Repairs often carry shorter coverage than replacements.
- A permit, if your city or county requires one for the scope.
Red flags
- A lump sum with no description.
- Pressure to sign the same day, or a price that drops sharply when you hesitate.
- Any offer to cover or rebate your insurance deductible, which is illegal in Georgia.
- A repair proposed on a roof clearly at the end of its life, with no mention of that.
Repair or replace?
A good contractor tells you when a repair is a payment on a roof you will replace anyway. If the estimate is a meaningful share of a full replacement, which typically runs roughly $8,000 to $16,000 in North Georgia, get a replacement price for comparison, and remember that storm damage may change the math through insurance. See how to choose a roofing contractor and signs you need a new roof. Robust Roofing also has a line by line guide to reading a roofing estimate.