Compare roofing proposals beyond the total

Put the same items side by side

List removal, roof covering, underlayment, flashing, ventilation and edge details. Ask whether debris removal, protection and cleanup are included. Two proposals with different assemblies are not directly comparable just because each has a single total. Keep product names and installation scope together.

Make allowances visible

Ask how concealed decking or other conditions will be handled. Identify unit prices or allowances where supplied, who documents findings and who approves additional work. A low initial amount can leave major questions unresolved. Do not assume a verbal assurance overrides the written exclusions.

Confirm business and project responsibilities

Request the business identity, applicable credentials and insurance information, and verify what is appropriate for the actual work. Ask who handles required approvals and inspections for the property address. Roof-mounted equipment or other trades may involve separate agreements; identify their coordinator before the roof work begins.

Read warranty and payment terms

Manufacturer coverage and workmanship coverage may have different terms. Ask who handles a claim, what exclusions apply and what documents you receive. Review payment milestones and change approvals before signing. This worksheet is a comparison aid, not legal advice or a certification of any contractor.

Use one Seattle project description for every proposal

Write a short common brief before asking businesses to quote: physical address, observed concern, known roof history, access restrictions and any roof-mounted equipment. Give every business the same brief, while keeping its assessment findings separate. Then compare each proposal against the same list of components. If one business includes new sheathing and another assumes it can retain the existing material, highlight that difference before comparing totals. Ask what evidence supports the assumption, how any later discovery is documented and who can authorize a change. A comparison works only when the homeowner can see where the proposals describe different jobs.

Connect the roof findings to the actual address

Seattle SDCI separates permit-exempt roof work from projects that change a building’s structure or envelope. Keep covering, sheathing and structural work distinct in the assessed scope. For a property outside Seattle city limits, ask the responsible city or King County authority about that same written description. Keep insurer decisions separate from the contractor’s findings and project approvals.

A Seattle-area check before authorizing work

Use Washington L&I’s Verify tool to check the actual business, then use the physical address to identify the building authority. Keep the finding, included roof components and exclusions in writing. A contractor registration search does not replace your assessment of the proposed work.

Local project sources

Checked October 11, 2026. Confirm current requirements for the actual address and scope.

Seattle SDCI: check the project and permit requirements ↗

Washington L&I: compare scope and verify the business ↗

Proposal comparison table