Most people never see the parts of a roof that matter most. Once the shingles go on, it is all covered up.
Two roofs can look identical from the street, and one of them can be half the quality. When quotes are far apart, the cheap one is usually not cheaper labor. It is cheaper material you will never see, and it tends to show up a few summers later as a leak.
What to compare, line by line
- The shingle. Brand and product line, not just "architectural shingles". On the job in these photos, it was GAF Timberline HDZ.
- The underlayment. The layer under the shingles that keeps water out. Ask for the product name, not just "synthetic". Here it was GAF FeltBuster.
- Flashing and drip edge. New, or reused from the old roof?
- Vents and pipe boots. Replaced, or left as they are?
- Decking. How do they handle rotted wood found during tear off, and what does it cost?
- Tear off. Is the old roof coming off, or going under the new one?
- Workmanship warranty. How long, and is it in writing? Arizona only requires two years.
- Who backs the materials. The manufacturer, and whether your roofer is certified to offer its stronger warranties.
Questions to ask any roofer
- What shingle and underlayment are you using, by name?
- What happens if you find rotted decking?
- How long is your workmanship warranty, in writing?
- Are you certified by the shingle maker?
- Who comes back if something goes wrong in year three?
How we quote
We get on the roof, photograph what we find, and give you a clear price with your options. We install GAF shingle roofs, and as a GAF Master Elite contractor we can offer GAF's strongest warranty on qualifying roofs. Our workmanship warranty runs 10 to 25 years depending on the roof system, and every full replacement includes a yearly check up.
See our roof replacement and shingle roofing pages for more.
Comparing quotes? Book a free inspection and get ours.
