How is a roof repair cost estimate put together?
The pieces of a repair estimate
- Minimum or trip charge: even a one-boot repair takes a crew, ladders, safety gear and drive time, which is why small repairs cost more per square foot than large ones.
- Materials: shingles, ridge cap, flashing, pipe boots, underlayment, sealant and nails.
- Labor: shaped by pitch, height, the number of stories, and how many shingles must be lifted around the repair.
- Decking: usually a per-sheet price for replacing rotted plywood or OSB if it turns up.
- Extras: siding removal at a wall, masonry cutting at a chimney, permit fees where required, and disposal.
Why two quotes differ
Two estimates to "fix the leak" can describe different jobs. One may reseal a joint while the other replaces the flashing and the shingles around it. Compare the scope line by line, not the bottom line. Ask what the warranty covers too, since a sealant patch may carry little or no warranty while a flashing replacement should carry a written one.
When the repair cost points to replacement
Repairs make less sense when the roof is near the end of its life, shingles crack when lifted, or several areas are failing at once. A full replacement in North Georgia typically runs roughly $8,000 to $16,000, so a large repair bill on an old roof deserves a second look.
Storm damage changes the math
If hail or wind caused the damage, the insurance adjuster writes an estimate, usually in Xactimate, that prices each line item separately. See how Xactimate roof estimates work and roof replacement cost in Georgia.