Anyone have any advice and guidance for me on what to ask for/ expect / upgrade when they come to bid?

I have a 20yr old composition shingle roof that I want to replace in kind. It will be covered by my insurance.

They don't really need to bid anything if you're running it through insurance. They already scoped it out and estimated. That estimate is for your contractor. Let him see it and you'll be able to see how they operate. Your roof details will dictate what extras can be rolled in. Personally, I wouldn't ASK for any upgrades. See what the contract has in it without you asking. That will tell you who you are dealing with. Some things are upgrades, some are just items I feel they should do anyway. A short list would be synthetic underlayment, synthetic valley liner, high profile hip and ridge cap. Make sure you get a proper starter course and make sure they are using a quality shingle.

If you are concerned, shoot me an email and I'll send you a typical composite shingle contract with the material selection part filled out. You can use it as a benchmark. It should look similar to whomever you are interviewing for the install and help seeing apples to apples. Or if you can hang out, I'll list it out and edit this post later this morning.

Jason_InfinityRoofer said:

---

They don't really need to bid anything if you're running it through insurance. They already scoped it out and estimated. That estimate is for your contractor. Let him see it and you'll be able to see how they operate. Your roof details will dictate what extras can be rolled in. Personally, I wouldn't ASK for any upgrades. See what the contract has in it without you asking. That will tell you who you are dealing with. Some things are upgrades, some are just items I feel they should do anyway. A short list would be synthetic underlayment, synthetic valley liner, high profile hip and ridge cap. Make sure you get a proper starter course and make sure they are using a quality shingle.

If you are concerned, shoot me an email and I'll send you a typical composite shingle contract with the material selection part filled out. You can use it as a benchmark. It should look similar to whomever you are interviewing for the install and help seeing apples to apples. Or if you can hang out, I'll list it out and edit this post later this morning.

---

Thanks Jason. I feel 100% certain that this guy will be able "to get it bought". I have hail damage and I'm missing a few shingles after this last wind event that blew through here. I will ask about the synthetic liners if I don't see it listed. This will be my first ever insurance claim in 35yrs.

I'm sure your guy will walk you through it, but make sure you make note of any other items that were damaged in the storm as well (ie. patio furniture, pool equipment, flagpoles, gutters, landscaping, etc.) that may be covered under the same deductible by your insurance.

Some upgrades that may be worth out-of-pocket (if any) expenses, even if judged belt & suspenders conservative:

30# felt
if under 3.5/12 slope then Grace Ice & Water Shield

Valleys: Metal V-ridge

Roofing: lighter & gray colors but never whitish, better than blackish

Any if-ish flashing replaced properly

As for me staying forever in house, then 40+year shingles upgrade, since Texas weather has been known to reduce actual need for replacement to 1/2 that life many times. Once upon a time, we got real close to accepting a galvalume snap-standing-seam roof offer. I know, going too far afield from your needs.