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Decision Tool · Same-Scope Comparison

Roof Quote Comparison Checklist

A printable 16-point decision worksheet designed to normalize contractor bids. Never compare contractor price per square until every underlying specification—from tear-off layer count and eave ice barriers to starter shingles, metal flashings, and labor warranties—is verified on an identical scope.

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Updated: 2026-11-07 • Standard Form V1.0 • Zero Referral Affiliation
The Golden Rule: Compare $/square ONLY where scope is identical.

A roofing quote showing $450 per square is not cheaper than a quote showing $550 per square if the lower quote excludes second-layer tear-off (+$18.00/sq), reuses corroded chimney flashings, installs cheap 15# tar paper instead of synthetic underlayment, or excludes municipal permit fees. Unbudgeted change orders on omitted scope routinely wipe out perceived upfront savings and push the final out-of-pocket invoice well above competing turnkey bids.

Use the 16-point specification checklist below to audit all three contractor proposals on an exact apples-to-apples basis before comparing bottom-line numbers.

1. Baseline Project Specifications Record once before gathering quotes

Ground Footprint: __________ sq ft
Estimated Roof Area: _____ squares
Existing Shingle Layers: [   ] 1 Layer   [   ] 2 Layers
Roof Slope / Pitch: [   ] Low   [   ] 6:12   [   ] 9:12+

2. Same-Scope Verification Checklist (16-Point Specification Audit)

Scope Item & Checkpoint What to Verify (Same-Scope Benchmark)
Quote 1
Contractor A
Quote 2
Contractor B
Quote 3
Contractor C
Group A: Tear-Off, Sheathing & Fastener Specifications
1. Tear-Off Layer Count Quote explicitly specifies whether 1 layer or 2 layers are included in base price. Stripping a second shingle layer adds $18.00/square in labor and landfill fees. [   ] ___ Layers [   ] ___ Layers [   ] ___ Layers
2. Plywood Re-decking Rate Pre-agreed per-sheet replacement rate for rotted CDX plywood or OSB ($65–$95/sheet installed). Stated in writing before tear-off starts. $ ____ / sheet $ ____ / sheet $ ____ / sheet
3. High-Wind 6-Nail Fastening Contractor commits to a 6-nail high-wind pattern per shingle driven into the reinforced nailing line, qualifying the roof for full 130 mph manufacturer wind warranty. [   ] 6 Nails [   ] 6 Nails [   ] 6 Nails
Group B: Underlayment & Ice-and-Water Protection
4. Drip Edge on Eaves & Rakes Corrosion-resistant metal drip edge installed along all eaves (under underlayment) and rake gable edges (over underlayment) per IRC R905.2.8.5. [   ] Included [   ] Included [   ] Included
5. Eave & Valley Ice & Water Shield Self-adhering modified bitumen ice and water shield membrane installed minimum 2 rows along eaves (extending at least 24" inside exterior wall line) and full width in valleys per IRC R905.1.2. [   ] 2 Rows Min [   ] 2 Rows Min [   ] 2 Rows Min
6. Synthetic Breathable Underlayment High-tear engineered synthetic polymer felt across entire roof deck (e.g. GAF FeltBuster, Owens Corning ProArmor). Prohibits brittle 15# or 30# organic asphalt felt. [   ] Synthetic [   ] Synthetic [   ] Synthetic
Group C: Shingles, Factory Starters & Ventilation
7. Factory Starter Strip Shingles Dedicated pre-cut starter strip shingles with factory sealant bead installed along all eaves and rakes; prohibits cut 3-tab shingles that void blow-off warranties. [   ] Factory Roll [   ] Factory Roll [   ] Factory Roll
8. Exact Shingle Brand & Product Line Identifies exact manufacturer and product line in writing (e.g. GAF Timberline HDZ, Owens Corning Duration, CertainTeed Landmark) rather than generic “architectural shingle”. [   ] Exact Line [   ] Exact Line [   ] Exact Line
9. Continuous Ridge Vent & Cap Continuous baffled ridge vent (e.g. Cobra, Shingle-Vent II) installed with matching high-profile ridge cap shingles to ensure balanced attic ventilation. [   ] Included [   ] Included [   ] Included
Group D: Metal Valleys, Wall Transitions & Pipe Penetrations
10. Metal Valley Flashing Type Specifies valley design: open W-metal valley (24-gauge painted aluminum/steel) vs closed cut valley with full self-adhering ice-and-water underlayment backup. [   ] Open / Closed [   ] Open / Closed [   ] Open / Closed
11. Step & Chimney Counter-Flashing New rustproof step flashing installed at all sidewalls and dormers; reglet counter-flashing cut into chimney mortar joints (prohibits reusing corroded old flashing). [   ] 100% New [   ] 100% New [   ] 100% New
12. New Pipe Boot Flashings New silicone, rubber, or lead pipe boots installed on all plumbing vent stacks; prohibits reusing dried-out, cracked neoprene collar gaskets. [   ] All New [   ] All New [   ] All New
Group E: Disposal, Site Cleanup, Permits & Warranties
13. Dumpster, Disposal & Haul-Away Dedicated on-site roll-off dumpster, total tear-off debris cleanup, landfill tipping charges, and haul-away fees included in base contract with no overage fees. [   ] Included [   ] Included [   ] Included
14. Magnetic Roller Nail Sweep Contractor provides a written nail-free cleanup guarantee with systematic magnetic roller sweeps across lawn, garden beds, patio, and driveway. [   ] Guaranteed [   ] Guaranteed [   ] Guaranteed
15. Building Permit & Municipal Fee Contractor pulls the building permit as applicant of record; includes all municipal permit filing fees and coordinates official building inspector sign-off. [   ] Contractor [   ] Contractor [   ] Contractor
16. Separate Labor Workmanship Warranty Separate contractor workmanship labor guarantee stated in writing (minimum 5–10 years) distinct from the manufacturer 30-year or lifetime shingle material warranty. [   ] ___ Yrs Labor [   ] ___ Yrs Labor [   ] ___ Yrs Labor

3. Bottom-Line Scope Normalization & Rate Calculation

If a quote omitted an item above, enter the raw numbers and scope add-backs below to calculate true apples-to-apples rates.

Rule: Compare $/square only when scope is identical
Calculation Metric Quote 1 (Contractor A) Quote 2 (Contractor B) Quote 3 (Contractor C)
Raw Quoted Total (as submitted)
Estimated Roof Area (Squares)
Raw Price Per Square (Total ÷ Squares) $ ______ / sq $ ______ / sq $ ______ / sq
Scope Add-Backs for Omitted Items (2nd layer tear-off, flashings, permit, etc.)
Normalized Same-Scope Total
Raw bid + all omitted scope costs
 $ ____________ $ ____________ $ ____________
Normalized Price Per Square
Only valid apples-to-apples comparison metric
 $ ______ / sq $ ______ / sq $ ______ / sq

Three Most Common Roofing Quote Traps Homeowners Encounter

1. The “Second-Layer Surprise” Change Order

Unscrupulous roofers deliberately write bids assuming a single shingle layer. Once their crew starts ripping the roof on day one, they stop work and claim they discovered a second underlying layer, hitting the homeowner with a mandatory change order of **$18 to $25 per square** ($400–$600+). Require all contractors to inspect edges from gutters or attic before quoting and stipulate the layer count in writing.

2. Reusing Corroded Step & Chimney Flashings

Labor represents over 50% of roofing costs. To submit a lowball bid, contractors often plan to leave existing rusted step flashing and chimney counter-flashing in place, merely slapping black roof tar over old metal seams. Within 2 to 4 years, dried tar cracks and causes catastrophic hidden wall rot. Always mandate 100% brand-new flashing and reglet cuts into brick mortar joints.

3. The 1-Row Eave Ice Barrier Code Violation

IRC R905.1.2 mandates that in cold climates, ice-and-water underlayment must extend along eaves to a point at least **24 inches inside the interior heated wall line**. On homes with 16-to-24-inch soffit overhangs, a single 36-inch membrane roll fails this requirement. Cheap bids install only one row; quality bids specify 2 full rows (72 inches) to prevent ice-dam backup leaks and maintain code compliance.