Roof squares
The measured roofing area. A square equals 100 square feet of roof surface.
Estimate line items
Roofing estimate line items explained
A roofing quote is easier to compare when the line items are clear. Use this guide to understand what each item means and which missing details can become expensive.
Check a roofing quoteLine-item glossary
Terms that should be clear before you sign
Tear-off
Removal of old roof material. Confirm whether it is included and how many layers are covered.
Underlayment
The waterproof layer below shingles or tile. Ask for brand, type, and warranty relevance.
Drip edge
Metal edge flashing that helps move water away from roof edges.
Flashing
Metal or waterproofing around walls, chimneys, skylights, valleys, and penetrations.
Ventilation
Ridge vents, intake vents, or other airflow work that protects attic and roof performance.
Decking allowance
Pricing rules for plywood or deck repairs found after tear-off.
Disposal
Dumpster, hauling, dump fees, and cleanup after old material is removed.
Detailed report value
The paid report is built around decisions, not extra filler.
The free check gives a pricing assessment. The detailed report is meant to reduce signing risk by showing what may be missing, what could become a change order, and what to ask the roofer before money changes hands.
Hidden cost risk
Decking, dry rot, tear-off, permit, disposal, flashing, ventilation, and warranty gaps.
Missing scope review
A clear separation between confirmed, assumed, missing, and needs-confirmation line items.
Questions to ask
Contractor-ready questions with the reason each question matters.
Bid comparison worksheet
A printable way to compare a second quote on the same scope and warranty terms.
Printable homeowner decision packet
Previewed sections
What you can use on the contractor call
Key findings
Hidden cost watchlist
Scope completeness
Roofer questions
Negotiation notes
PDF export
Independent homeowner-first analysis
Built to help you understand the quote before you commit.
RoofQuoteCheck is designed as a homeowner utility first. The quote checker explains its assumptions and points you toward the scope details that make roofing bids hard to compare.
Not a contractor marketplace
No contractor spam from using the checker
No contractor partner requirement for the MVP
No lead sale needed to use the quote checker
Deterministic pricing assumptions instead of hidden AI guesses
Clear limits: this is a decision-support range, not an inspection
Related homeowner guides
Keep comparing the quote before you sign
These pages connect the calculator, cost guides, red-flag checks, and local roofing quote pages so homeowners can move from research to a specific quote review.
Homeowner questions
Roofing quote FAQs
What roofing estimate line item is most often missing?
Homeowners should watch for vague underlayment, flashing, ventilation, disposal, permit, warranty, and decking repair terms.
What does roof square mean on an estimate?
A roofing square is 100 square feet of roof surface. It is not the same as home square footage because pitch, overhangs, garages, and roof shape change the roof area.
Why should decking pricing be written into the quote?
Decking damage may not be visible until tear-off. Written unit pricing reduces the risk of negotiating repairs under pressure after work starts.