How many roofing quotes should I get?

Aim for at least three written quotes from licensed, insured contractors. That gives you enough information to compare scope, materials, terms, and price while spotting meaningful outliers.

What should I do if two estimates use different materials?

Ask both contractors to provide the manufacturer name, product name, and warranty document for their specified materials. Compare the actual warranty terms, published wind ratings, and impact ratings side by side before comparing prices.

Can I negotiate a roofing quote?

You can ask about components and whether any scope adjustments change the price. Understanding the scope line by line and asking for a cleaner breakdown often produces more useful information than a blanket discount request.

What happens if the deck has more damage than expected after tear-off?

This is common and should be addressed in the contract before signing. Confirm the per-unit rate for additional sheathing and the process for notifying you before those repairs are made. You should approve any cost additions in writing before work continues.

Is a permit always required for a roof replacement in Minnesota?

In most Minnesota jurisdictions, yes — a permit is required for a full roof replacement. The contractor should always pull the permit in their own name. Skipping permits can complicate insurance claims and home sales.

How do I verify a contractor's license in Minnesota?

Visit the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry website and search the contractor's license number. Verify that the license is current, covers the type of work being performed, and is issued to the entity named on your contract.

How to Get, Read, and Compare Roofing Quotes

Q: What does apples-to-apples mean when comparing roofing bids?

It means every bid covers exactly the same scope, materials, permit responsibilities, and warranty terms so that price differences reflect contractor economics rather than what each contractor chose to include or omit. The checklist in this guide is designed to enforce that equivalence before you compare numbers.

Getting multiple roofing quotes protects you from overpaying and underspecified work — but only if you know how to read them. This guide covers how to gather bids, an apples-to-apples checklist, warning signs to watch before signing, and the payment, warranty, and change-order terms that matter after the job starts.

Why Getting Quotes Right Matters

Getting multiple roofing quotes is one of the most effective ways a homeowner can guard against overpaying, underspecified work, or contractor problems. But a quote is only useful if you know how to read it.

This guide covers how to gather bids correctly, what every legitimate estimate must contain, a checklist for comparing bids on equal footing, warning signs that should stop you from signing, and the scope, payment, warranty, and change-order terms that determine what happens once the job starts.

No prices in this guide. Roofing costs vary by market, material, roof complexity, and timing. Use this guide alongside a current estimate from a licensed local contractor.

How to Get Roofing Quotes the Right Way

Get at Least Three Written Bids

One quote gives you no comparison. Two gives you a binary choice. Three lets you identify an outlier — whether that is an unusually high bid or a low one with less scope. Aim for at least three bids from licensed local contractors so you can compare scope as well as price.

Give Every Contractor Identical Information

Scope differences start at the bid stage. Before calling anyone, decide:

Whether you want a full replacement or a targeted repair
Which material you want priced — for example, Owens Corning Duration, Duration Designer, or Duration FLEX if you are considering architectural asphalt shingles
Whether you want a full tear-off of existing layers or an overlay; most quality contractors and local building codes limit overlays to a maximum number of layers
Which upgrades to price: ice-and-water shield coverage, enhanced underlayment, pipe boot replacements, ridge vent installation

When every contractor bids the same scope, price differences reflect contractor economics rather than what each chose to include or omit. Letting contractors define scope independently produces bids you cannot meaningfully compare.

Require Written, Itemized Estimates

A verbal quote or a single bottom-line number is not acceptable for a project of this size. Every legitimate roofing contractor should provide a written, itemized document. Refusal to produce one is itself a warning sign.

The Apples-to-Apples Checklist

Use this on every bid you receive. Ask the contractor to address any missing items in writing before you compare prices.

Scope of work

Work described specifically: full replacement, partial, or repair only
Number of existing shingle layers being removed
Square footage covered (one roofing square equals 100 square feet)
All roof planes, dormers, and complex intersections listed
What is explicitly excluded — gutters, fascia, skylights — unless separately priced

Materials

Manufacturer and product name for shingles (for example, Owens Corning Duration FLEX — not just "architectural shingles")
Color selection confirmed; colors vary by line and availability varies by market
Underlayment type and brand specified
Ice-and-water shield coverage area stated: eaves only, or extended to valleys and penetrations
Starter shingle listed as a separate, purpose-made product
Ridge cap listed as a separate product
Drip edge material, color, and gauge
Pipe boot and penetration flashing: new or reused, and method described
Chimney and skylight flashing: new or reused, and method described

Labor and compliance

Tear-off and disposal of existing material included and priced
Deck inspection included; rate or method for any decking repairs stated
Nailing pattern specified
Ventilation work described, or explicitly confirmed as not needed
Cleanup method specified
Contractor pulls the permit in their own name; jurisdiction named

Timeline

Estimated start date or scheduling window
Estimated completion timeline
Weather-delay policy in writing

Reading the Estimate Line by Line

Material substitutions. A bid listing "architectural shingle" with no manufacturer name is vague by design. Ask for the specific product. A switch from a specified premium shingle to a builder-grade alternative — without telling you — affects wind resistance, warranty coverage, and potentially insurance claim documentation.

Flashing. Reusing old flashing around chimneys, dormers, or skylights on an otherwise new roof is a common way to reduce a bid price. Ask each contractor to specify whether flashing will be replaced or reused, and why. New flashing is relatively inexpensive; a leak caused by failed old flashing behind new shingles is not.

Underlayment. Standard #15 felt is the minimum the code allows, not the industry standard. Synthetic underlayments are more tear-resistant and more water-resistant during installation. Verify that the specified product meets the shingle manufacturer's system requirements — a non-system underlayment can affect warranty coverage.

Ventilation. Most shingle manufacturers require adequate attic ventilation as a condition of warranty coverage. A bid that never mentions ventilation assessment is either assuming everything is acceptable without checking, or deliberately leaving it out of scope. Ask directly.

Deck repairs. Rotten or delaminated sheathing is often discovered only after tear-off. Every quality estimate should state the per-sheet rate for additional plywood or OSB, or a not-to-exceed allowance. A contractor who says there will be no deck issues before seeing what is under the shingles is guessing.

Warning Signs — Stop Before You Sign

No written, itemized estimate. Legitimate contractors document everything.

Same-day signature pressure or "today only" pricing. Professional pricing does not expire overnight.

Full payment required before work begins. A deposit at signing is normal; requiring the entire project cost upfront before any work starts is not standard practice.

No verifiable license. In Minnesota, contractors must hold a valid license from the Department of Labor and Industry. Ask for the license number and verify it on the state website. Out-of-state storm chasers often lack local licenses. Weatherguard holds MN LIC. #BC282484 and is licensed in each state it operates.

No proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation. If an uninsured worker is injured on your property, you may be held responsible for costs. Ask for a current certificate of insurance naming you as a certificate holder.

Requests to sign over insurance proceeds. Assignment-of-benefits arrangements transfer your rights and oversight to the contractor. Do not sign any document that transfers insurance rights without first reading it carefully and, if needed, consulting an advisor.

Unsolicited post-storm door-to-door solicitation. Not inherently disqualifying, but it warrants extra scrutiny. Verify licensing, insurance, and verifiable local references before proceeding.

Scope, Payment, Warranty, and Change Orders

Scope

The written scope is the contract. Anything not in writing is not included. Before signing, ask: "If I found a new leak in this area six months from now, would it fall under your workmanship warranty based on what this document says?" If the answer is unclear, clarify it in writing before signing.

Payment

Deposits at signing are common and reasonable — they cover initial material procurement. The key question is whether the balance is due at satisfactory project completion after your own walkthrough, or whether the contractor expects full payment at the end of the last day of labor regardless of outstanding punch-list items. Get the payment schedule in writing as part of the contract.

Workmanship Warranty vs. Material Warranty

The manufacturer's material warranty covers product defects and requires the installation to follow the manufacturer's published specifications. Ask for the actual warranty document — not a summary — so you know what is and is not covered.

The contractor's workmanship warranty covers installation errors. Ask specifically: What does it cover? For how long? What is the claims process? These terms vary widely between contractors.

On Owens Corning products, Platinum Preferred Contractors like Weatherguard can offer enhanced warranty options that combine material and workmanship coverage. Ask your estimator for current warranty terms; they can change by product and market, so confirm in writing before you sign.

Change Orders

Every scope addition during construction should be documented in a written, signed change order executed before the additional work is performed. Before signing the original contract, confirm:

All scope changes require written, signed change orders
The rate for any deck repairs discovered during tear-off is stated in advance
You sign off on added costs before the additional work begins

Making the Final Decision

After applying the checklist to three or more bids, evaluate differences in scope rather than headline price. A low bid often reflects a material substitution, missing flashing replacement, or an absent decking allowance. A higher bid may reflect a more complete scope, better warranty terms, or more experienced installation. A mid-range bid that is missing checklist items may cost more in practice than a higher bid that includes everything.

When bids are genuinely equivalent on scope and materials, choose based on experience, verifiable local references, and communication quality. A contractor who answers questions clearly, provides complete documentation, and responds reliably is showing you how they will manage the project once it starts.

Safety Note

Do not attempt to inspect your roof yourself to verify a contractor's findings or check installation progress. Roofs are fall hazards even for professionals. Use your contractor's documentation, photos, and ground-level or attic-hatch observations. If you have questions about what you see from outside, ask your contractor to walk you through their photos and scope documentation.

Next Steps

Weatherguard Construction provides written, itemized roofing estimates with clear scope, material specifications, and warranty terms. As an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, we document the exact material system going on your roof and can discuss available warranty options at your free inspection.

Request a free roofing inspection and estimate

Before your appointments, use the Roof Visualizer to narrow your shingle color choice — and see the shingle color selection guide to confirm that the material your estimate specifies matches the look you want. For roofs with storm history, the hail damage identification guide explains what adjusters look for and how to document damage before a contractor or adjuster visit.

How to Get, Read, and Compare Roofing Quotes

Why Getting Quotes Right Matters