Do you need a roof replacement in Nashville, TN? Are you about to start getting estimates from a Nashville roofing company?
A roof replacement is an expensive project where you’ll have to make big decisions that can make or break your investment. And the estimate stage is where you’ll make most of these decisions.
So, starting the process with the right information is crucial to feel confident when making them.
For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has taken pride in providing high-quality roofing services in Nashville and surrounding Middle Tennessee areas. Roofing is what we do, but we also help Nashville homeowners avoid the bad side of the industry, whether they’re a customer or not.
That’s why I wrote this article breaking down the 6 things every Nashville homeowner needs to do when getting a roof replacement estimate.
Hiring a roofing company that’s local and established in Nashville, TN, is the most important advice I can give. You should only consider companies that have a physical office location in the Nashville area, a local area code on their phone number, and are licensed, bonded, and insured in the state of Tennessee.
This ensures they’ll know our local installation codes, the paperwork required, and everything else needed to ensure your roof complies with the state's requirements. However, hiring a local Nashville company also means they’ll be around to honor their workmanship warranty.
Just know that our area gets flooded with out-of-state companies knocking on doors after big storms. The bad ones undercut the local Nashville roofing companies, get the money, and move on to the next storm-hit town without caring about local codes or if they properly install your roof.
I’ve been a roofer and owner of Bill Ragan Roofing in Nashville for over 30 years, but I understand we may not be the right company for everyone. This may not apply to you if you have a Nashville roofer you trust or a strong referral.
However, it’s common for homeowners to get estimates from multiple Nashville roofing companies (three at the most). Doing this is the best way to find the roofing company you feel comfortable with and trust, while also comparing prices for your budget.
However, it also helps you avoid getting taken advantage of by roofing companies that’ll try to sell you a new roof no matter what. If one roofing company is adamant you need a replacement, but two others say you only need repairs, it’s probably not time for a roof replacement.
Getting a roof replacement isn’t cheap, but it’s crucial not to go looking for the lowest-priced estimate from a cheap roofing company in Nashville. This is the number one reason homeowners get taken advantage of in the roofing industry.
Once a bad roofer knows you’re looking for the cheapest roof, they’ll lower their prices to outbid competitors. However, they’re only able to offer these low prices by using cheaper quality materials, cheap labor, or leaving crucial components off your roof completely.
You shouldn’t break the bank on your roof, but I guarantee there will be problems if you try to find the cheapest roof possible. So, if a price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Other than the roofing company you choose, the roofing material you choose has the biggest impact on how much your roof replacement will cost. So, you need to choose the right roofing material for your budget.
Architectural asphalt shingles are the best choice for homeowners looking for affordability, which is why they’re the most popular roofing material in the United States. If you want more curb appeal and life, luxury asphalt shingles will be around double the price of an architectural asphalt shingle.
If you want a step above asphalt, a standing seam metal roof lasts much longer but costs almost triple the price of an architectural asphalt shingle. There are also synthetic shingles, cedar shakes, and slate tiles, but these premium roof systems require a very large budget.
The important thing is to pick the one that fits your budget and invest in quality on that specific roof system.
Roof warranties protect your roof investment, with one covering the roofing contractor's workmanship and another covering the roofing materials. Workmanship warranties vary greatly from one year to twenty-five years or even a lifetime.
You should only consider a Nashville roofing company that offers long-term protection with a strong workmanship warranty of at least ten years. However, don’t be afraid to find one that offers more.
Roofing companies in Nashville should have no problem offering a 20, 25, or lifetime warranty if they take pride in their work and do things the right way. However, you still need to do your research and read reviews to determine if they practice what they preach.
I can’t overstate how crucial it is to carefully review the line items and fine print in your estimate(s) before signing anything. If it impacts the cost of your new roof or is part of the job, it should be included as a line item in the estimate.
The things that should be included in every roof estimate are:
If you get multiple estimates, you also need to compare the line items to help you understand why different roofing companies charge a lower or higher price. If one company has a specific line item that another doesn’t, you need to dig deeper because there’s always a reason.
After reading this article, you know what to do when getting a roof replacement estimate in Nashville, TN. Following this advice ensures you go into the process with the right mindset and information to prepare.
However, there’s probably one huge thing that’s still on your mind at this point. This, of course, is how much a new roof costs in Nashville.
A roof replacement isn’t cheap, and plenty of homeowners have sticker shock when getting estimates. I want you to have the transparent information you need to avoid being taken by surprise.
That’s why I wrote another article giving you an idea of how much a new roof costs in Nashville, TN, right now in 2025.
Check out How Much Does a New Roof Cost in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2025 to learn the average roof replacement cost, the prices of different roofing materials, and the things that directly impact the final cost.