About to get an estimate for your new roof? Wondering how long an estimate takes when the roofing contractor comes to your home?
Getting an estimate for a new roof is the first step in the roof replacement process. Because it literally lays the groundwork for the entire project, there’s a lot a roofing contractor has to consider and factor into their estimate.
The great thing is that technology has made it easier than ever. But how long it takes to do and how long it takes to get it from a roofer depends.
For over 35 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners understand everything that goes into a roof replacement from the first inspection to cleaning up after the project. So, let’s look at what you can expect when actually getting an estimate.
By the end of this article, you’ll have the answers to:
- How long does a roof estimate take?
- How long does it take for a roofing contractor to send an estimate?
- Should you get multiple estimates?
How long does a roof estimate take?
Depending on the roof’s size, complexity, and accessibility, estimating a roof usually takes between 1 and 2 hours. This gives them enough time to get on the roof, measure anything, and check the things they need to make the estimate.
The time also usually includes a presentation to go over your roofing material options and anything specific to your wants or needs that can affect the estimate. Just keep in mind that roofing contractors estimate roofs in a variety of ways.
Some roofing contractors get on the roof for a full inspection when creating an estimate, some rely on drones, and some use 3rd party estimating tools that provide accurate measurements. In my opinion, it should be a combination.
You can’t beat getting on the roof and doing a thorough inspection to ensure the estimate is 100% accurate from the beginning. However, using a drone to check hard-to-reach or unsafe areas is becoming normal in the roofing industry.
We do both of these at Bill Ragan Roofing, but we also use RoofSnap and EagleView to accurately measure very complex roofs. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how it’s done as long as you get an accurate estimate with everything your roof needs.
How long does it take for a roofing contractor to send an estimate?
Providing an estimate on the spot during the first inspection does happen, but it’s also pretty common to send estimates within 24-48 hours. Now, complex roof replacements on large houses can take longer to provide an accurate estimate, especially with a premium roofing material.
These jobs can easily be $50,000 to $100,000 with add-ons or upgrades. We’ve even installed roofs that were in the higher six figures.
With that kind of money involved and the complexity of the project, there’s a lot more planning and things to account for when providing a final estimate. The important thing is to get a timeframe from the roofing contractor on when to expect the estimate.
If you don’t have it by the agreed-upon date, don’t be afraid to cut your losses and get another estimate from a different roofing company. But if you really trust them, just reach out and ask the roofer what’s going on with the estimate.
Should you get multiple estimates?
Getting 2 and a maximum of 3 estimates for a new roof is always a good idea. If you’ve worked with a specific roofing contractor before or one is highly recommended by someone you trust, getting a single estimate is fine.
But if you’re starting from scratch, getting 2 or 3 estimates for your new roof is always smart. I’m a roofing contractor, and I’m even saying this.
However, there are a few good reasons why you should consider getting multiple estimates for your new roof.
You’ll learn what your roof actually needs
By getting multiple estimates, you’ll learn if you actually need a new roof, repairs, or if there’s still life left in your current roof. If you get an inspection from one roofing contractor, you have to take their word on everything they say.
However, getting multiple estimates means you get more than one opinion. This is especially important with bad roofers trying to sell homeowners new roofs, whether they need one or not.
If one roofing contractor says you need a new roof and two others say you only need repairs, it’s a safe bet that you don’t need a new roof. So, getting a second opinion is simply a great way to learn what you need.
You’ll find the right roofing contractor
Choosing a roofing contractor is a huge decision, so you have to find one you can trust who has your best interests in mind. Getting multiple estimates means you get a feel for each roofer and see what they’re about.
You’ll be able to ask them all the same questions, learn more about each individual company, and see how they interact with you during the process. After talking with them and reviewing their roofing estimates, you can confidently make a decision.
Just keep in mind that quality is just as important as pricing. While budget and affordability are important considerations, finding the cheapest roof estimate will lead to very costly problems.
You can compare prices to find a roofer for your budget
Speaking of pricing, a new roof isn’t cheap and is actually considered a long-term investment. Getting multiple roof estimates simply allows you to compare prices to find the right one for your budget.
But remember, you should compare the prices just to find the lowest one. Budget is crucial and almost all decisions are price-driven, but investing in quality combined with affordability is the smartest thing you can do.
With multiple estimates, you get to choose a new roof that fits your budget without affecting the final quality. Just know that your estimates could have drastically different prices, so it’s important to dig into the reasons why.
What red flags should you look out for when reviewing your roof estimate?
After reading this article, you know how long a roof estimate takes and how long it usually takes to get the roof estimate from a roofer. Remember, getting more than one estimate is always a good idea.
Just think of it as more of finding the right roofer instead of a low price. As long as you do that, you’re much less likely to get taken advantage of by a bad company.
However, you still need to carefully review your estimate before signing anything. Doing this also includes being on the lookout for any red flags.
That’s why I wrote another article breaking down the red flags that tell you not to sign a contract or, at the very least, ask questions.
Check out 8 Red Flags to Look Out for on Your Roof Estimate to ensure you feel confident signing a contract for such a large investment.
