Done completely, this is what roofing installation services include: an inspection and measurement of the roof, a written estimate that names every product, the building permit, protection of the house and yard, removal of the old roof, deck repair, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, the new roof covering, cleanup, the final inspection and the warranty registration. Knowing that list lets you see what a quote leaves out before you sign. To get an itemized estimate, call NEMA Roofing at 866-631-3366.
The full scope of a roofing installation, item by item
| Service item | What it covers | What to look for in the quote |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection and measurement | Roof area, slope, layers already on the roof, deck condition from the attic, vents and flashing | Photos and a note of how many layers must come off |
| Product selection | Roof covering, color, underlayment and accessories chosen for the house, the slope and the local rules | Manufacturer and product line written out |
| Permit | Application, fees and the inspections the building department requires | Who pulls it, and that it is included |
| Site protection | Tarps over plants and windows, a place for the dumpster, a plan for the driveway | Daily cleanup and a nail sweep |
| Tear-off and disposal | Removing the old covering and underlayment and hauling it away | Disposal included, not billed later |
| Deck repair | Replacing rotten or delaminated sheathing found after tear-off | A price per sheet, since the amount is unknown until then |
| Underlayment and edge metal | The water barrier under the covering, extra membrane at valleys, drip edge at the edges | Type named; drip edge listed |
| Flashing | Metal at walls, chimneys, skylights and valleys; new boots on plumbing vents | “New” or “reuse” stated for each |
| Ventilation | Intake at the eaves and exhaust near the ridge | What is added or changed |
| Roof covering | Shingles, tile, metal or a low-slope membrane installed to the manufacturer’s instructions | Same product as in the selection line |
| Final inspection and warranty | The building inspector’s sign-off, a walk-through with you, the manufacturer registration | Which warranty is registered and in whose name |
For the order these items happen in on the roof, see roofing installation step by step.
What is often priced separately
Some work sits next to the roof and is easy to assume is included when it is not. Ask about each one in writing:
- Deck replacement beyond the estimate’s allowance, charged at the per-sheet price.
- Rafter tails, fascia and soffit boards that turn out to be rotten when the edge metal comes off.
- Gutters, which some quotes remove and reinstall and others replace.
- Skylights, which can be reflashed or replaced; the second is a separate product.
- Solar panels, which are usually taken off and put back by a solar contractor, booked and billed separately.
- Chimney masonry, since the roofer flashes around a chimney but does not rebuild it.
- A second layer of old roofing found during tear-off, which adds removal and disposal.
How the services differ by roof type
- Asphalt shingles: starter course, the manufacturer’s nailing pattern, hip and ridge caps, and ridge venting where the plan calls for it.
- Tile: heavier material, so the service includes checking that the structure can carry it; clay or concrete tile can sometimes be reused if it is undamaged, but the underlayment beneath is replaced. See our tile roofing service.
- Metal: panels, trim and closures, with fasteners and metals chosen for the site; near the ocean, salt air is part of that choice. See our metal roofing service.
- Flat and low-slope roofs: a membrane system with its own seams, drains and edge details instead of shingles.
New construction or replacement: what changes
On a new building there is nothing to tear off: the roofer starts on sheathing installed by the framer, and the roof is inspected as part of the building’s permit. On an existing home, the service adds tear-off, disposal and deck repair, and the reroof has its own permit. A reroof can also bring rules the old roof never had to meet, such as the state’s cool-roof requirements in some climate zones or a Class A fire rating in fire hazard areas, so product selection is part of the service, not an afterthought.
What a manufacturer credential adds to the service
Enhanced manufacturer warranties can only be registered by contractors the manufacturer has approved. NEMA Roofing appears in GAF’s directory as a Master Elite contractor and in Owens Corning’s as a Preferred Contractor, and Polyglass lists it as a Preferred Contractor. In practice that means the installation service can end with a warranty that covers more than the materials. Details are in our guide to roofing installation warranties.
Questions that show what a quote really includes
- How many layers are coming off, and is disposal in the price?
- Which underlayment, and is there extra membrane in the valleys?
- Is every flashing piece new, or are some reused?
- What is the price per sheet of replaced deck?
- Who pulls the permit, and who meets the inspector?
- Which warranty will be registered, and when will I get the confirmation?
We handle every step of the process, from the first inspection to the final installation and sign-off. NEMA Roofing has five locations, in Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Woodland Hills, Tarzana and Downey, and its installation service reaches every part of Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties; see the full list on our service areas page and the roof installation service page. For an estimate that lists every item above, call NEMA Roofing at 866-631-3366.
