What is the best way to give a roof estimate?

Question

How much is it usually estimated by square foot for shingles?

Answer 1

They measure the square foot of the house to determine the amount of square's that it would take to roof the house. A 10' by 10' square = 100 sq ft and that is one square of shingles. Ever 100sq ft = 1 sq of shingles. The 3 tab shingles take 3 bundles to make a square.Some of your shingles like timberline take 4 bundles to make a square.You must know the amount of squares that it takes to do the house, because you get paid by the square.Let's say you were putting shingles on a new roof at 25$ a sq and it took 28 sq to do the house That would be 25.00 x 28 =700.00

Answer 2

Be wary of easy square footage estimates- let them tell you what they will guarantee, do extra if necessary. Any flake can install a roof in no time-get references.Make sure they are bonded and insured and been in the area for a few years. Beyond that,good luck and just go with your gut, alas, there is nothing better. Make sure it is inspected by a public official unless you know what to look for,i.e.,get a permit.

Answer 3

most roofing contrators charge by the square. a square being 100 sf. with three bundles of shingles to a square, but each estimate depends on the roof.

when giving a roof estimate you have to calculate how much square footage the roof is.  

how much flashing and what type of flashing.

drip edge

ridge vent or roof vents.

ice and weather shield in valleys or along eavs.

copper or galvinized flashing in valleys.

what type, stlye and year (20 yr, 30 yr, 40 yr) of the shingles

is the roof a tear off, if so you need to include labor to remove the old roof and cost for a dumpster.

most inmportantly is how many squares can you install per man, per day.

then there's overhead and proffit.

an average price to new architectural shingles is about $200.00 a square in the chicago market.

Answer 4

Shingles are sold in "squares" meaning square yards.

Standard 3 bundles of shingles make up a square.

Answer 5

Yep, roofing companies will come measure and give you a quote.  If you measure it yourself and try to get an estimate over the phone you risk a dispute later over whether your measurements were right or some other circumstance that you didn't know you needed to tell them about.

Make sure that each estimator tells you exactly what's included - tear off?  haul away? any repairs to the roof structure?  usually they're not included because you need to pull the old roof to even know how much there is to repair.  SO at what hourly rate will repairs to the framing and sheathing be done.  If they repair wood where it will show like under eaves who gets to paint it? They gonna put down tarpaper?  How about ice and water barrier on the lower 4 feet (where do you live?)  New sheet metal in the valleys?  Ice and water barrier under that new valley metal?  What metal in the valleys, how wide and how thick? New drip edge? sides and bottom or just bottom?  How are the gutters?  new ones cost ?  Can they guarantee the won't damage the old ones if they're in decent shape?  What sort of shingles will they use - exact brand name and model (some are thicker and last longer). They'll talk about 40 year shingles vs 50 year shingles - well, they are not going to lst that long, but one manufacturer's 40 year shingle is about as good as another's so that's apples to apples but a low bid to install 25 year shingles isn't a good choice over a higher bid for 40 year shingles.  How's your attic ventilation?  Will they need to put in new eyebrows or wind turbines or (yuck) electric vents or ridge vent or what?  Are they going to get a building permit and get it inspected - legally required or do they recommend you bootleg it and is that because they want to save you the cost of the permit or save themselves the hassle of the inspector maybe not liking their work.  Who goes to pull the permit?  Who pays the permit fee?  Will they give you the names of three recent customers who you can call to ask if they're good guys?  Is there a house nearby that they did that you can drive by?  Maybe you don't want to drive by but wouldn't you worry if they weren't willing to give you a reference?

Ask all of the questions, get them to put all of the answers in the written quote, hire the ones that you feel comfortable working with.

Answer 6

Many contractors estimate by yard and others by sq. foot.

Answer 7

I would simply call several roofing companies to come to your home.  Usually they will offer free quotes for the job and you can ask about their method of calculation and pricing.  I always ask about price per sq ft. etc. with regard to drywall finishing, carpet installation, flooring installs, and roofing.  I with you the best of luck with this!

Answer 8

Just call 3-4 different roofing companies and get quotes from them. Most figure by the square, which is usually a 3 x 3 foot area. Depending on the type of roofing your planning to use, the price can vary by quite alot. Best bet is to get one that has a lifetime warranty and is eco-friendly. It's best to just strip the old one off and have your wood on your roof checked for soft spots (a sign of rotted wood) before you have the roof redone also, a new roof is useless if the wood under it is bad. Have the areas where vents are located checked out also, as they could be sources for water leaks later on if not done right.