How to Read a Roofing Quote Line by Line

The items below are things to look for and ask about. Not every roof needs every item, and requirements depend on your local code, the roofing product and the condition of your roof.

Start with the scope

Before any number, find out what the quote says will happen:

Tear-off or roof-over? A tear-off removes the old roofing; a roof-over (overlay) adds a new layer on top. Codes limit overlays: typical residential codes require removing the old roofing when the roof already has two or more layers (section R908.3, as summarized by the City of Grand Rapids), and Minneapolis's handout allows one overlay over a single existing layer only under listed conditions (City of Minneapolis). The quote should say how many layers come off.
Which roofing product? A named manufacturer and product line, not just "architectural shingles", lets you compare like with like and check the manufacturer's installation requirements.
What's included at the edges and joints? Underlayment, ice barrier, drip edge, flashing, starter strip, ridge cap and vents. A "complete roof system" line may include them; ask for them to be listed.
Clean-up and disposal. Who removes the debris, and whether a dumpster and dump fees are included.

Check quantities and units

Square (SQ): 100 square feet of roof surface. Shingles, labor and tear-off are usually priced per square.
Square foot (SF, sq ft): One hundredth of a square. "SQ" and "SF" are easy to confuse: 24 SQ is 2,400 sq ft.
Linear foot (LF): For drip edge, starter strip, ridge cap and flashing.
Each (EA): For pipe boots, vents and other single items.
Lump sum (LS): One price for a whole item, such as disposal or a permit. It can't be checked against a quantity.

Compare the shingle quantity with your roof size. It is normally a little higher than the roof area because of cutting waste; a quantity below the roof area is worth asking about. Labor and tear-off are usually priced on the roof area itself. The measuring guide shows how to work out your roof size, and the pitch calculator gives the multiplier.

Labor and materials may be priced separately or together as an installed price. Both are normal; what matters is that two quotes are compared on the same basis.

Lines you'll often see

Tear-off / removal: Removing the old roofing, usually per square and per layer.
Disposal / dumpster: Hauling the debris away and dump fees. Sometimes included in tear-off.
Underlayment: The water-resistant layer between the deck and the shingles. Codes such as those summarized by Grand Rapids and Minneapolis require two layers on slopes from 2/12 up to 4/12.
Ice barrier (ice and water shield): A self-adhering membrane at the eaves. Where the local code requires it, typically in areas with a history of ice dams, it runs from the eave to at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line (Grand Rapids summary; Meriden summary).
Drip edge: Metal edging at the eaves and rakes that directs water away from the fascia (City of Meriden summary, R905.2.8.5).
Flashing and valleys: Metal or membrane that seals where the roof meets walls and chimneys, at valleys and around openings. Ask whether old flashing will be replaced or reused, and how valleys will be finished.
Ventilation: Intake and exhaust vents, such as soffit and ridge vents. A re-roof is a convenient time to change them, but it isn't always required: Minneapolis's handout says adding ventilation to an existing home isn't required when re-roofing (City of Minneapolis). Ask what the quote includes.
Starter strip, ridge cap, pipe boots: Accessories usually counted in linear feet or each. Sometimes included in the shingle line.

Decking and change orders

Damaged decking is usually found only after tear-off, so many quotes price it as an extra per 4 × 8 ft sheet. Get that per-sheet price in writing before work starts, and ask how replacements will be counted and approved. Any other change to the scope, price or schedule should be agreed in writing as a change order before the extra work is done.

Permits and inspections

Permit rules are set locally and differ a lot. Minneapolis requires a building permit for all re-roofing except repairs of less than one bundle of shingles (City of Minneapolis); in Des Moines, a reroof needs a permit only when decking or rafters are repaired or replaced (City of Des Moines). Ask who obtains the permit and arranges any inspection, and whether the fee is in the price.

Warranties

There are usually two kinds. The manufacturer's warranty covers the roofing product and may depend on how it was installed or registered. The contractor's workmanship warranty covers their installation. Ask for both in writing, including how long each lasts, what it covers, and whether it transfers if you sell the house.

Payment schedule

A quote or contract should say when each payment is due and what work it pays for. Some states limit down payments: in California, a down payment on a home improvement contract can't exceed $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less (California Contractors State License Board). Check your own state's rules, and where you can, tie each payment to a completed stage of the work.

Exclusions and allowances

Look for what the quote leaves out, such as gutters, skylights, chimney repairs, structural repairs, or interior damage, and for allowances: provisional sums set aside for items that aren't priced yet. An allowance is fine if you know what it covers and what happens if the real cost is higher.

Check the arithmetic

For each line with a quantity and a unit price, multiply them and compare with the line total. Then add the lines and compare with the quote's total. Small differences are usually rounding; bigger ones often mean a line, discount or tax isn't shown. The quote checker does this for you and lists commonly required items the quote doesn't mention. It can't tell you whether a price is fair, or whether a contractor is licensed or does good work.

Questions to ask before signing

How many layers of old roofing will come off, and is disposal included?
Which shingle product, underlayment and accessories will be used, and in what quantities?
Are drip edge, ice barrier (if required where you live), flashing and ventilation included?
What is the per-sheet price for decking replacement, and how will extra work be approved?
Who obtains the permit and arranges inspections?
What do the manufacturer's and workmanship warranties cover, and for how long?
When is each payment due, and what work does it cover?

Before hiring, check that the contractor holds any license your state or city requires; your state's contractor licensing board usually has a free online lookup.

Questions

What should a roofing quote include?

The scope (tear-off or overlay and how many layers), the named products, quantities with units, the items at edges and joints, disposal, how decking repairs are priced, who handles the permit, warranties, the payment schedule and any exclusions.

Why do units and scope matter when comparing quotes?

Because the same total can buy different work. A quote priced per square, another as a lump sum, and a third that leaves out tear-off can't be compared until they describe the same job in the same units.

Is a lower quote missing something?

Not necessarily, but check its scope against the others line by line. Differences in layers removed, products, edge details and decking allowances explain many gaps between quotes.

Can the quote checker tell me if a price is too high?

No. It checks arithmetic, quantities and whether commonly required items are mentioned. We don't publish price ranges until we have the evidence to support them.

Sources

Roof Assemblies (Chapter 9, Michigan Residential Code), City of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Read October 21, 2026.
Roofing and re-roofing with asphalt shingles (handout, last updated May 2016), City of Minneapolis, Minnesota — Construction Code Services. Read October 26, 2026.
Asphalt Shingle Installation (based on the 2022 Connecticut State Building Code), City of Meriden, Connecticut — Building Division. Read October 21, 2026.
Residential Asphalt Shingle Requirements, City of Des Moines, Iowa — Permit & Development Center. Read October 21, 2026.
Important Contract & Payment Rules (publication 13P-106), Contractors State License Board, State of California. Read October 26, 2026.

Building codes are adopted and amended locally. The city documents above are examples of adopted residential codes, not the rule everywhere; your local building department has the final word.