Getting an estimate is the first step in getting your roof repaired or replaced. It’s an important step because it will help you make sure your project fits within your budget, and that you are comfortable and confident in picking the best roofing contractor for the job. 

Remember the lowest cost estimate isn’t necessarily the best! Getting the work done cheaply and improperly is going to mean more problems down the road. You might even end up spending more than you would have if you just got the job done right in the first place!

Here’s some tips for navigating the process of getting a roof estimate.

Make a list of questions you’ll ask all the contractors.

It’s good to prepare a little before you start calling for estimates. There’s several questions you’ll want to ask potential roofing contractors so you can make a good comparison between all of them.

Do I need repair or replacement? 

If you aren’t sure, this will be an extremely important question to ask. You don’t want to be pushed into a full replacement if you still have life left on the rest of your roof. On the other hand, it doesn’t make sense to do an expensive repair on just part of the roof when the rest of it isn’t in great shape. A good roofing contractor like Horizon won’t sugar coat the news. You need an honest assessment so you can make a sound decision.

What’s the project timeline?

You don’t want to be without a fully functioning roof for any longer than you have to, especially as the weather changes. Good roofers are experienced in getting work done quickly and effectively, and dealing with weather challenges when they arise. 

You’ll want to know the total amount of time the project will likely take, so you can plan around it. If one roofer promises an extremely short timeline compared to other companies, you know they may be exaggerating how fast they can get the work done.

Roofers are often booked solid during certain times of the year. Ask how long it will be before they can get started as this might influence your decision.