Before approving a roof estimate, make sure you can explain what work you're buying, which materials are included, what could change the price, and who will handle questions. A total on the last page is much more useful when the scope behind it is clear.

For north Atlanta homeowners, this checklist is a practical way to review a repair or replacement proposal. Use it during the contractor's walkthrough, then ask for missing details in writing. It will help you compare proposals without having to become a roofing expert.

1. Confirm what was inspected

Ask which roof areas were examined, what was found, and what could not be assessed. Request photos with an explanation of the areas they show.

A thorough roofing assessment can involve the shingles, flashing, roof penetrations, attic, and roof deck. Owens Corning's contractor checklist highlights those components. The deck is the surface beneath the roofing materials; flashing helps protect joints and transitions.

Useful questions include:

  • What finding led to this recommended scope?
  • Was the source of any reported leak identified?
  • Were any areas inaccessible?
  • Is this a preliminary estimate or a proposal based on an on-site inspection?

Share previous leak or repair records. If two contractors recommend different work, ask each to explain the specific finding behind that difference.

2. Define the work area and exclusions

The estimate should identify whether the work covers one repair location, particular roof sections, or the full roof. Ask for a description precise enough that you and the contractor can point to the same area.

For a replacement, ask whether removal and disposal of existing roofing are included. For a repair, ask which components will be replaced and which will remain.

Then ask what is excluded. Are gutters, chimney work, skylights, interior ceiling repairs, or detached structures part of the price? An item being visible near the roof doesn't tell you whether it's in the agreement. Write down each answer that matters to your project.

3. Identify the materials

Ask for the manufacturer and product line of the proposed shingles, along with the selected color before ordering. For a replacement, discuss underlayment, flashing, starter and ridge materials, and ventilation as applicable to your roof. A roof system includes components beyond the shingles you see from the street. GAF's homeowner cost guide explains how materials, roof condition, measurements, and warranty options affect an estimate.

Ask why those products suit the project and whether substitutions require your approval. If ventilation changes are proposed, ask what assessment supports them. The goal is a clear specification you can compare across proposals.

4. Agree on how hidden damage is handled

An inspection has limits. Concealed damage may become visible only once old roofing is removed. GAF describes hidden decking and structural problems as possible reasons an estimate and final price differ.

Before signing, ask:

  • Is any deck repair or replacement already included?
  • How will additional damage be documented?
  • How is extra work priced, and what does that price include?
  • Who will contact me, and how will I approve a change?

If the proposal includes an allowance, ask what it covers and what happens if the actual work is greater or smaller. Agree on a contact method you can use while work is underway.

5. Check the total and payment terms

Request a written total with clear inclusions and exclusions. Ask whether labor, materials, disposal, delivery, applicable taxes, and any required permit costs are included. Confirm who will check permit requirements for your address rather than assuming one rule applies throughout metro Atlanta.

Make sure the payment schedule, estimate expiration, and conditions that could change the amount are written down. The Federal Trade Commission recommends multiple written estimates, warns against automatically choosing the lowest bid, and advises against paying the entire project price upfront.

A helpful comparison question is: what accounts for the difference between these proposals? Ask about the work and materials before asking one contractor to match another's total.

6. Understand the warranty documents

Ask for the actual warranty documents that apply to the proposed installation. Identify who provides any product coverage and who provides any workmanship coverage. Review the term, exclusions, claim contact, and any registration or transfer requirements.

Manufacturer warranty options can have different eligibility conditions and levels of coverage, as shown in Owens Corning's warranty information. A warranty label by itself won't tell you everything that is covered.

Ask the contractor to explain the proposed coverage in writing. Keep the warranty documents with the final invoice and product details.

7. Plan for timing and cleanup

Discuss the expected start window, estimated duration, and how weather or material delays will be communicated. Roof size, complexity, and weather can affect the schedule. IKO's replacement overview also describes why driveway access and preparation matter during a reroof.

Ask where materials and debris containers will go, which vehicles need moving, and how landscaping and nearby property will be protected. Confirm debris removal, the nail-cleanup process, and the final walkthrough. If you have pets, children, or access needs, discuss them ahead of time.

Get the name and contact details of the person you'll call with questions during the project.

8. Review the agreement before signing

Make sure the contractor's business details and proof of insurance are available, and check any required credentials with the appropriate issuing authority. Read the whole agreement and have important verbal promises included in writing. These steps follow the FTC's contractor-selection guidance.

Ask what your signature authorizes. If an answer is vague or a material detail is missing, request a revised document before you approve it. Keep a copy of the version you sign.

Common questions

Why can two estimates be so different?

They may cover different work, materials, or assumptions. Compare those items side by side and ask about the differences. Price alone cannot tell you whether the proposals are equivalent.

Can an estimate guarantee there is no hidden damage?

Ask what the inspection could verify and what remained concealed. A clear change process matters because some conditions may only be confirmed after removal begins.

What should I do if something is missing?

Ask the contractor to add or clarify it in writing. Save the updated estimate so you're making a decision from the current version.

Start with an inspection

For a project-specific conversation, request an inspection through Roof Now's Atlanta roof repair service or explore the roof replacement service. Bring this checklist and ask how the proposed work addresses the findings at your home.