Detailed item checklist to require in Quote and Contract
The laundry list of items to make sure are included in your quote and contract is significantly long. You really need to make sure every single one of these are included – but that is YOUR call. If you assume that these are going to be handled without discussion, you will likely be disappointed. And the disappointment will most likely be something that continues year after year. Make sure you get the roof you are expecting and want, the first time.
It is extremely important that you do not take your roof quote and contract as comprehensive. You will get a standard quote / contract, and very few of the items listed below will be stated in either your roofing quote and/or contract.
One of my favorite expressions is, “A verbal contract isn’t worth the paper it is written on“.
As a quote is frequently just converted to a contract, very careful due diligence here is required. A careful comparison of the contract to make sure that it matches a quote, with everything you want specified is imperative.
Assuming that particular aspects of your roof replacement will be automatically handled correctly is not wise.
Assuming that particular unique requests you have, that are agreed by contractor, will be handled as requested, without being stated in the contract, is also not wise.
Assuming that all particulars of what is stated in the contract will be handled as agreed, again is also not wise. Diligence is required on your part to avoid costly mistakes. After the roof is completed, and you have rendered final payment, you have the proverbial chance of a snowflake in hell to get things corrected without the contract specifying that those items are required.
To state again, EVEN WITH THE CONTRACT specifying almost every detail, it can be challenging to get errors corrected.
It is frustrating to make sure the job is done correctly, But you, or an advocate, must be in charge of making sure the job is correct.
I do not recommend discussing any of the details here with the Roofing Company, prior to receiving your quote. Your job is to evaluate the Roofing Company on how they do business, without steering them to provide lip service that makes you feel more comfortable.
YOU WANT TO DISCOVER HOW OPEN AND TRANSPARENT A COMPANY IS BEFORE DISCUSSING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING DETAILS.
Refer to the overview section, “Requesting a quote” for a discussion about getting a quote first, without telling the company all of the details important to you.
REMEMBER: The actual individuals putting the shingles on are ALMOST always a sub-contractor that puts on roofs for multiple roofing companies. In turn, these subs employ individuals that have a strong likelyhood of: a limited perspective to detail, no idea as to building codes or mfg requirements. They WILL likely cut corners. Yes, I speak from personal observation.
The Salesperson is rarely involved in the actual work or oversight of your new roof installation. And even if so, the sales guy isn’t up there with the crew evaluating everything with an eye for detail and correctness.
So the quotes that turn into contracts must be very explicit. It must be clear. It must be comprehensive.
Factors that the quote must include:
MATERIAL QUANTITY DETAILS
MATERIAL HANDLING – AVOIDING DAMAGE
QUALITY OF CONSTRUCTION AND ASSEMBLY
RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURES TO INSTALL SHINGLES
CHIMNEY
VENTILATION
ATTIC INSPECTION
ROOF SHEATHING REPLACEMENT
STRUCTURAL FRAMING REPAIR
PERSONNEL ON YOUR ROOF
PROTECTING YOUR PROPERTY
CLEANLINESS
DECORUM
HOW DAMAGES TO HOME WILL BE HANDLED
STATEMENT OF LIABILITY
ALL ISSUES LISTED HERE ARE YOUR DECISION TO INCLUDE
GETTING ALL OF THESE ITEMS ON THIS PAGE ADDED TO QUOTE AND CONTRACT
MATERIAL QUANTITY DETAILS
Actual squares expected to use on your roof.
Actual square feet of your roof.
Would be nice to have the satellite report – these are almost always used. I’ll explain more on this specifically.
MATERIAL HANDLING – AVOIDING DAMAGE
Statement that no ladders will be rested against gutter. NOT EVEN ONCE.
Statement that shingles will not be bent over ridge – in accordance with MFG guidelines.
Statement that all installed Drip Edge will not be damaged / bent and subsequently installed.
Statement that any shingles damaged in any way before installation will NOT be installed.
Statement that any shingles damaged DURING INSTALLATION of the roof will replaced correctly.
QUALITY OF CONSTRUCTION AND ASSEMBLY
Statement that all Roofing construction will adhere to applicable Building Codes – WITHOUT exception.
Statement that all Roofing construction will adhere to manufacturer guidelines – WITHOUT exception.
Statement that all roofing materials will be removed to bare roof sheathing.
Statement that all roofing nails remaining in sheathing will be removed.
Statement that all existing step flashing will be removed and discarded.
Statement that all existing valley flashing will be removed and discarded.
Statement that all roof sheathing thickness meets applicable building codes and MFG requirements.
Statement that all loose roof sheathing nails will be removed, and NOT hammered back in.
Statement that all loose roof sheathing will be securely re-nailed – using applicable building codes regarding spacing and type of nails.
Statement that all damaged roof sheathing will be replaced with full sheets except where needs to less than due to roof configuration.
Statement that materials will be fastened according to both mimimum applicable Building Code and Manufacture guidelines.
Statement that any slopes 2/12 or lower will be installed appropriately, with explanation of methodology. This requires a low-slope installation, which will vary according to jurisdiction. MFG will have a minimum installation requirement.
Statement that all roofs that meet a wall will have UNCUT step flashing installed per minimum building code, and that the joint will have the specified treatment of Underlayment or Ice & Water.
Statement that all locations that need Kick Out Flashing will have either pre-fab Kick Out Flashing, or on site Kick Out Flashing with a folded bend, not cut, and will be required 4 inches in height.
Statement that all pipe boots will be replaced with a quality aluminum pipe boot.
Statement that all pipe boots and vents will not have any face nails.
RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURES TO INSTALL SHINGLES
Statement that no shingles will be installed if temperatures are too cold, or too hot.
CHIMNEY
Statement that no bricks will be cut in order to install Chimney counterflashing.
Statement that if a cricket is needed at chimney, one will be built, and installed correctly. This should actually be identified as a need or not specifically in the quote.
VENTILATION
Statement that the Roofing System ventilation – Soffit (intake) and Exit Venting are calculated and guaranteed to be correct after new roof is installed.
Calculations / Math of how this is determined should be stated on the quote.
Statement of how and what corrective actions will be taken, or none if none and why.
Statement of how air flow was tested through soffit, and if testing was selected areas or continuous.
Statement that all air vents will be replaced.
ATTIC INSPECTION
Statement of status of observed Roof Sheathing from underside inside attic.
Statement of any discovered leaks.
Statement of any discovered bathroom vents venting to inside attic.
Statement of any discovered bathroom vents venting to soffit.
Statement of measurement of existing Roof Sheathing.
Statement of Roof Sheathing meeting minimum building code AND MFG guideline.
Statement of condition of Roof Sheathing from underneath.
Statement of anything found out of order.
ROOF SHEATHING REPLACEMENT
Statement of how many sheets of Roof Sheathing replacement are provided at no charge.
Statement specifically if Roof Sheathing is OSB, or Plywood. If Plywood, specify actual Plywood specification of Plywood to be used, and that OSB will NOT BE USED in lieu of Plywood.
Statement of expected TOTAL on sheets for Roof Sheathing replacement. It would be very, very rare indeed that a careful inspection doesn’t determine if a complete roof decking is needed.
STRUCTURAL FRAMING REPAIR
Statement that if framing issues be it 2×4, 2×6, etc, are needed, repairs will be made by trained and competent individuals.
(Reason? It is rare that the roofers have competency in framing.)
PERSONNEL ON YOUR ROOF
Statement that all personnel performing work are trained and competent for each type of task.
NOTE: I’ve personally observed tasks performed by incompetent individuals.
Example One: Crew member attempting to hammer in screws (!) to reattach loose gutter hangers.
Example Two: Crew member trimming step flashing to an inch high to slide under vinyl siding.
Example Three: Circular hole in decking needed for vent. Hole cut with circular saw cross cuts, triangular pieces hammered off to leave a very crude circle with a very rough and jagged edges.
Depending on your preference, you could require a statement that all personnel on your roof are legally allowed to work in country.
PROTECTING YOUR PROPERTY
Statement of how your property both House and Yard will be protected.
Statement of Tarps where appropriate.
Statement that Mesh Tarps will be used on vegetation (grass, shrubs, flowers) to avoid heat damage.
Statement that crew will not slam or drop bundles of shingles onto the roof.
CLEANLINESS
Statement of how job will be handled and kept clean.
Statement of how personal trash will be handled by crew.
DECORUM
Statement that crew will not urinate anywhere on customer property, including inside the dumpster, or even woods back of property, etc.
Example: I’ve personally observed crew members pee inside dumpster. I’ve personally observed crew members nestle up to shrubbery and pee. I’ve personally observed crew members go back into woods on or behind (both) customers property and urinate.
Statement that crew will not play music loudly. This is a pervasive problem, and it is loud enough for many neighbors around the project house to also get to hear loud music all day long. Guess what language?
Statement that crew will be polite in general speech while on property regardless of homeowners around or not.
HOW DAMAGES TO HOME WILL BE HANDLED
Statement that any and all reported damages by the crew to the home, yard, etc will be compensated quickly.
Statement of how damages to the home that requires other trades will be handled. Example: Crew member falls through ceiling.
STATEMENT OF LIABILITY
Statement that the Roofing Company accepts all responsibility for workmanship, materials, damages regardless of who actually installs the new roof.
ALL ISSUES LISTED HERE ARE YOUR DECISION TO INCLUDE
GETTING ALL OF THESE ITEMS ON THIS PAGE ADDED TO QUOTE AND CONTRACT
Of all the items listed on this page, you must work with the Roofing Company to get any that are important to you on the Quote and Contract.
I break this down in another article specifically. You can read that article here: Reconciling The Quote To Include All Needed Items.