📝 What Goes Into a Roofing Estimate
- ✓ Measurement: total roof area in squares (1 square = 100 sq ft)
- ✓ Material costs: shingles, underlayment, ice-and-water shield, accessories
- ✓ Labor costs: installation, flashing, and trim work
- ✓ Disposal: old shingle removal and dumpster fees
- ✓ Permit: required by Chatham County for most replacements
Getting a roofing estimate should be straightforward, but many homeowners are surprised by what is — and is not — included in the price they receive. Understanding what makes up a roofing estimate helps you compare bids accurately and spot red flags before signing a contract.
How We Measure Your Roof
Roof measurement is the foundation of any accurate estimate. We measure the actual roof surface area, accounting for all slopes, dormers, valleys, and overhangs. For a typical Savannah home of 1,800-2,400 sq ft, the actual roof surface is usually 2,000-3,000 sq ft (20-30 "squares"), depending on pitch and complexity.
We use digital measurement tools combined with physical verification to ensure accuracy. Estimates based on satellite measurements alone can be off by 10-15% — fine for ballparking, not acceptable for a contract.
What Is Included in Our Estimates
- Shingles: Manufacturer, product name, color, qty in squares
- Underlayment: Synthetic or felt, specified per Chatham County code
- Ice-and-water shield: Applied at eaves, valleys, and all penetrations
- Drip edge: Metal drip edge at all eaves and rakes
- Ridge cap: Matching ridge cap or hip-and-ridge product
- Starter strip: Required at all eaves per manufacturer specs
- Pipe boots: All plumbing vent boot replacements
- Flashing: Step flashing, counter-flashing, and valley flashing
- Labor: Installation rate per square plus detail work
- Decking allowance: Set price per sheet for any rotted OSB or plywood found during tear-off
- Disposal: Tear-off, haul-away, and dump fees
- Permit: Chatham County residential roofing permit
Red Flags in a Competitor's Estimate
- No manufacturer or product name specified — "shingles" without brand or grade
- No permit line item — they are planning to skip it
- Vague "decking replacement as needed" without a per-sheet price
- No underlayment or ice-and-water shield specified
- Lump sum with no line item breakdown
Comparing Multiple Estimates
The lowest number is rarely the best value. A contractor who omits permit fees, skips ice-and-water shield at valleys, or uses 3-tab shingles when you expected architectural shingles is not giving you a real comparison. Align the materials spec first, then compare price on an apples-to-apples basis.
Get a Fully Itemized Estimate
No vague lump sums. Every line item specified. Free inspection included.
What to Expect During the Roof Estimate Process in Savannah
Getting a roofing estimate shouldn't be stressful or confusing. Understanding the process helps you evaluate proposals from different contractors and ensures you're comparing apples to apples. Here's a step-by-step guide to how reputable Savannah roofers provide estimates — and what to watch for in each step.
Step 1: Initial Contact and Scheduling
When you call a Savannah roofing company for an estimate, the intake should include questions about your roof's age, the problem you're experiencing (or if this is a proactive replacement), and your timeline. A professional company will schedule an on-site visit within 2-5 business days — beware of companies that quote prices over the phone without seeing your roof.
Step 2: On-Site Inspection (30-60 minutes)
A thorough on-site inspection for a Savannah estimate includes:
- Ground-level walkabout: Inspecting all visible roof planes, gutters, and drainage from the ground
- Roof access: Using a ladder or drone to closely examine shingle condition, flashing, vents, and ridge caps
- Attic inspection: Checking ventilation, insulation condition, and signs of moisture or daylight penetration
- Measurement: Calculating total roof area, pitch, complexity (valleys, dormers, hips), and access considerations
- Photo documentation: Taking detailed photos of any damage or wear to share with you and, if applicable, your insurance company
Step 3: The Written Estimate (Itemized)
A professional estimate should be delivered within 1-3 business days and include every line item:
| Line Item | What It Covers | Typical Range (2,000 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Tear-off and disposal | Removing old shingles, dumpster fees | $1,500-$2,500 |
| Deck inspection/repair | Replacing rotted plywood/OSB | $0-$2,000 (depends on condition) |
| Underlayment | Synthetic underlayment + ice/water shield | $600-$1,200 |
| Drip edge and flashing | All metal edge and penetration sealing | $400-$800 |
| Shingles (material + labor) | Main roofing material installation | $4,000-$8,000 |
| Ridge vent/ventilation | Ridge cap, soffit vents, any powered vents | $300-$800 |
| Pipe boots and vent caps | Sealing all roof penetrations | $200-$400 |
| Permit fee | Chatham County building permit | $150-$350 |
| Cleanup and haul-away | Magnetic sweep, property cleanup | Included |
Step 4: Comparing Multiple Estimates
We always recommend getting at least 3 estimates from licensed Savannah roofers. When comparing, focus on:
- Same material specifications: Ensure all estimates quote the same shingle brand, line, and color
- Same scope: Does each include underlayment, flashing, drip edge, and ventilation? Some low-ball estimates exclude these critical components
- Warranty comparison: Compare both manufacturer warranty (dependent on contractor certification level) and workmanship warranty duration
- Payment terms: Reputable companies require no more than 10-30% down, with the balance due upon completion. Never pay 100% upfront.
- Timeline: A realistic timeline for a Savannah roof replacement is 1-3 days for installation, with 1-3 weeks of scheduling lead time
At Talya Roofing, our estimates are always free, fully itemized, and come with a personal walkthrough of findings. We encourage you to compare us against other Savannah roofers — transparency is one of our core values.
Red Flags in a Roofing Estimate
Not all roofing estimates are created equal. Some contractors deliberately obscure details to win on price, then make up the difference with change orders, inferior materials, or skipped steps. Knowing the red flags protects you from the most common traps Savannah homeowners encounter.
Missing Line Items
A legitimate roofing estimate should itemize every component: tear-off and disposal, underlayment, ice-and-water shield, drip edge, starter strip, shingles (with brand and product specified), ridge cap, flashing, pipe boots, ventilation, permit fee, and cleanup. If the estimate is a single lump-sum number with no breakdown, you cannot compare it to other bids and you have no idea what you are actually getting. Worse, the contractor can claim anything not explicitly listed is an "extra" once work begins.
No License or Insurance Information
Georgia requires roofing contractors to hold a valid license. The estimate should include the contractor's license number, and you should verify it through the Georgia Secretary of State's licensing portal. If a contractor cannot provide their license number when asked, walk away. Similarly, ask for a certificate of insurance showing both general liability and workers' compensation coverage. If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor lacks workers' comp, your homeowner's insurance may be liable.
Pressure Tactics
Be wary of any contractor who pushes you to sign immediately with "today-only" pricing, claims the price will go up if you wait to get other estimates, or tries to get you to sign before your insurance adjuster has inspected. These are high-pressure sales tactics, not professional business practices. A reputable Savannah roofer will give you a written estimate that is valid for 30-60 days and encourage you to compare.
No Permit Mentioned
Chatham County requires a building permit for roof replacements. If the estimate does not include a permit fee line item, the contractor is planning to skip the permit — which means no county inspection of the work, no code compliance verification, and potential complications when you sell the home or file a future insurance claim. A roof installed without a permit can also void your manufacturer warranty.
Unusually Low Price
If one estimate is 30-40% lower than the others, something is being cut. Common corners: using 3-tab shingles instead of architectural, skipping ice-and-water shield in valleys, using 4-nail patterns instead of the code-required 6-nail, using felt paper instead of synthetic underlayment, or not replacing flashing and pipe boots. The cheapest roof is the most expensive roof when it fails in three years.
What a Good Estimate Includes
A professional roofing estimate from a reputable Savannah contractor should provide complete transparency on materials, methods, costs, and protections. Here is what to look for and why each element matters.
Detailed Material Specifications
The estimate should name the exact manufacturer, product line, and color for every component — not just "shingles" but "Atlas Pinnacle Pristine, Coastal Granite." This specificity ensures you know exactly what you are getting, can verify the product's wind and impact ratings, and can confirm the material is appropriate for Savannah's coastal requirements (130+ mph wind rating, algae resistance). The underlayment type (synthetic vs. felt), ice-and-water shield brand, and drip edge material should all be specified.
Line-Item Cost Breakdown
Each component should have its own line with quantity and cost: tear-off (per square), disposal (flat fee or per dumpster), underlayment (per roll or sq ft), shingles (per square), flashing (per linear foot or per location), pipe boots (per unit), ridge cap (per linear foot), permit (flat fee), and decking repair allowance (per sheet). This breakdown lets you compare estimates on an apples-to-apples basis and understand exactly where your money goes.
Warranty Details
The estimate should clearly state two warranties: the manufacturer's material warranty (length and type — standard vs. system vs. enhanced) and the contractor's workmanship warranty (length and what it covers). Ask whether the workmanship warranty is transferable if you sell the home. At Talya Roofing, our Atlas Pro+ certification allows us to offer enhanced manufacturer warranty programs that cover both materials and labor — a significant advantage over standard warranties.
Project Timeline
A good estimate includes a realistic start date and expected duration. For a typical Savannah residential reroof, expect 1-3 weeks of scheduling lead time and 1-3 days of on-site work depending on roof size and complexity. If a contractor promises to start tomorrow but cannot provide references from recent local projects, that is not efficiency — that is a sign they may not be busy for a reason.
Payment Terms
Industry-standard payment terms for Savannah roofing projects: 10-30% deposit when the contract is signed, with the balance due upon completion and your satisfaction with the work. Never pay 100% upfront. Never pay cash without a receipt. And never make the final payment until you have walked the property with the crew lead and confirmed cleanup, material installation, and overall workmanship meet your expectations.