Start with what you can see
Make notes from a safe position. The purpose is to give a roofer a useful starting point, not to diagnose the structure yourself.
- Where water enters, ponds or drains
- The age and condition of the covering
- Whether insulation and roof deck need inspection
What a written proposal should cover
Ask providers to explain the work in the same level of detail. A cheaper price can reflect a narrower scope.
- Inspection of the existing covering and substrate
- Material and drainage proposal with edge details
- Insulation, access, waste and workmanship terms
Questions worth asking
- What is causing the problem, and how was it checked?
- Which layers will be removed or kept?
- What material and workmanship warranties apply?
Cost and comparison
Area, access, deck repairs, insulation, drainage and the chosen covering all change the price. A small patch and a full warm-roof replacement are different projects.