Metal Roof Estimate Checklist
Two roofers may quote the same house but offer different roofs. Ask each one to list the work and materials. That makes it easier to see what your money buys.
How to Use This Checklist
- Ask two or three roofers to quote the same roof and explain their proposed materials.
- Copy the details into the worksheet below. Write “not stated” instead of guessing.
- Send each roofer your unanswered questions. Ask for a revised written bid before you choose.
Use the checklist to compare the work, not just the final price. A bid that leaves out removal or repairs is not the same offer as one that includes them.
Record the Same Details for Each Bid
| Category | Details to request |
|---|---|
| Roof measurement | Roof area, slope, and extra material for cuts. Ask which units the roofer uses. One roofing square equals 100 square feet. |
| Panel or shingle | Maker, product name, metal, thickness, shape, finish, and color. |
| Attachment | Clips or screws, the base they attach to, and space for metal to expand and shrink. |
| Preparation | Old-roof removal, waste disposal, roof-base checks and repairs, and the layer beneath the covering. Ask what costs extra. |
| Roof details | Edges, ridges, valleys, vents, wall joints, and drains. Ask about snow guards where needed. |
| Installation | Product instructions, allowed roof slope, approvals, permits, and who arranges inspections. |
| Warranty | Separate cover for the metal, finish, and installer’s work. Check exclusions, labor costs, owner-transfer rules, and claim contacts. |
| Contract | Start date, payment stages, written changes to the job, cleanup, and proof of insurance. |
Your Three-Bid Worksheet
Print this page or copy this table into your notes. Add the bid date so you know which version you are comparing. A blank cell means you still need an answer.
| Compare | Bid A | Bid B | Bid C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contractor and bid date | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Total price; taxes included? | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Roof area and units | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Maker and exact product | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Metal and thickness | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Panel shape; clips or exposed screws | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Finish and color | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Old-roof removal and disposal | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Roof-base repairs: allowance and unit rate | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Underlayment and roof-edge details | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Valleys, walls, vents, and chimneys | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Gutters or snow guards: included? | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Permits and inspections | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Material and finish warranty | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Workmanship warranty and labor cover | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Start date and expected duration | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Deposit and payment milestones | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Exclusions and unanswered questions | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
A Lower Bid May Leave Out Work
Fictional example: These figures show how to compare scope. They are not market prices or an estimate for your home. Assume the same roof and metal product in both bids.
| Item | Bid A | Bid B |
|---|---|---|
| Quoted price | $18,000 | $20,000 |
| Removal and disposal | Excluded; add $2,500 | Included |
| Price after adding that work | $20,500 | $20,000 |
| Hidden roof-base damage | Extra; rate not stated | Extra; written rate provided |
Bid A starts lower but costs more after you add the missing work. Neither total covers hidden damage. Ask Bid A’s roofer to price removal and state a repair rate in writing. Then compare the remaining details, warranties, and contractor checks before deciding.
Understand the Product Details
Metal and thickness
Ask which metal the roofer will use and request the maker’s thickness specification. A gauge number alone is not enough to compare products. The Metal Construction Association explains that thickness, strength, coatings, and finishes all affect steel cladding performance. Do not treat thickness as a promise about hail damage or roof life.
Panel shape and fasteners
Ask whether you will see screws on the roof surface or whether clips hold the panels beneath raised seams. Have the roofer name the exact system. Ask how the attachment allows the metal to expand and shrink, and what care the maker requires. Avoid choosing between two systems on appearance alone.
Finish
The finish is the paint or other surface treatment on the product. Record its name and color, not just “painted metal.” Ask what the finish warranty covers, including any limits on fading or peeling. Check whether it covers labor as well as material.
Underlayment and flashing
Underlayment is the layer beneath the roof covering. Flashing seals vulnerable joints, such as the areas around walls, chimneys, and vents. Ask for product names and a list of the details the crew will replace. “Metal roof installed” does not tell you what happens at these joints.
For deeper installation questions, the Metal Construction Association’s installation manual covers materials, fasteners, sealants, and accessories. Your roofer must still follow the instructions for your chosen product.
Ask How Extra Charges Will Work
- Hidden damage: What happens if the crew finds rotten wood? Ask for a repair price per sheet, foot, or other stated unit, and what labor it includes.
- Allowances: An allowance is money set aside in the quote for work or materials that are not fully defined. Ask what quantity it covers and how the final charge will be calculated.
- Removal: Does the price cover all existing roof layers, hauling, disposal fees, and cleanup?
- Changes: Who can approve extra work? Ask for the scope, price, and schedule impact in a written change before the crew proceeds.
- Weather protection: How will the crew protect your home if rain interrupts the job?
For example, “wood repair extra” leaves the price open. Ask the roofer to state the unit rate, how they will measure the repair, and whether they will show you photos before you approve it. Stay off the roof yourself.
Compare Three Separate Warranty Promises
| Warranty | Ask for | Check before signing |
|---|---|---|
| Material | The maker’s warranty for the exact roof product | Covered defects, exclusions, reduced payments as the roof ages, and claim steps |
| Finish | The finish warranty for your color and location | Covered finish changes, limits, and whether labor is included |
| Workmanship | The installer’s written promise about its work | Who fixes installation problems, who pays, how long coverage lasts, and who to contact |
These promises may appear in separate documents or in one document. Ask which applies to leaks and what happens if the installer stops trading. Check registration deadlines and whether coverage transfers when you sell. A “lifetime” label does not tell you what the company will pay for a claim.
Before You Sign
- The contract names the product, work, total price, and exclusions.
- You have written answers for differences between the bids.
- You have checked licensing requirements, insurance, and references for similar metal-roof jobs.
- You know who handles permits and inspections.
- You understand the deposit, payment milestones, and any financing costs.
- The contract explains changes, cleanup, weather delays, and expected dates.
- You have the warranty documents and know who handles each type of claim.
The Federal Trade Commission advises homeowners to check contractors, get written estimates and a written contract, and avoid paying the full price upfront. Deposit rules vary by state; check your local requirements rather than relying on a standard percentage.
If an answer is missing, pause and ask for it in writing. Do not mark a bid as complete because a salesperson said the detail was “standard.” Keep the final bid, contract, product documents, and later changes together.
Clarify Differences Before Choosing
Ask each roofer to explain anything left out of the bid. Find out which prices are fixed and which are estimates. Hidden damage beneath the old roof may need a separate allowance.
Our metal-roofing guide explains the main choices. Use the cost guide to check other price factors. Our guide to hiring a roofer covers contractor checks.
Check the Supporting Documents
Ask for the product instructions and test ratings for your planned roof. UL explains how the layer beneath the covering affects fire ratings. FEMA’s coastal building guide covers metal-roof attachment in strong winds. Use these sources to prepare questions. Your roofer or designer must check what fits your home.