Knowing exactly what's included in a roof replacement depends on carefully reviewing your contractor's proposal. It should spell out exactly what work will be performed, the materials they will provide, and any additional terms, such as warranties for the work.
Roof Replacement at a Glance
Before diving into the details, here is the essential breakdown of what is standard, what is extra, and what you must watch out for:
What’s Standard: Complete tear-off, new shingles, ridge cap shingles, underlayment, drip edges, flashings, and final cleanup.
What’s Extra: Replacing rotten plywood decking, gutter work, and major structural attic ventilation upgrades.
The Golden Rule: Proper attic ventilation is essential. While poor ventilation won't instantly void your warranty, manufacturers may limit or deny your coverage down the road if shingle damage is traced back to improper airflow.
While every project is different, a typical roof replacement includes the removal and disposal of old roofing materials, the installation of new underlayment, shingles, flashings, and ridge caps, and cleanup. Your contractor will usually include the labor to perform the work, purchase materials, and debris removal.
To help shape your expectations, here’s some guidance on what’s included in a typical roof replacement.
What Materials are Standard in a Roof Replacement?
A standard roof replacement estimate includes all the physical components required to build a weatherproof barrier, from the outer shingles to the underlying moisture protection.
Here are the specific materials your contractor should list:
Shingles/metal panels – Asphalt shingles are the most common residential roofing material, but you may also select other materials, such as metal roofing, to match your home’s style and your local climate. Shingles or metal panels provide protection against the elements, acting as a barrier between the outside and inside of your home. When installed properly, they’re designed to withstand wind and moisture.
Underlayment – The most common underlayments include peel and stick leak barrier and mechanically attached underlayment. They protect the roof deck (plywood or OSB) from moisture intrusion, which can lead to mold and mildew growth or structural damage if not caught early. Peel and stick leak barrier protects vulnerable areas such as eaves, valleys, and areas around chimneys to help prevent leaks caused by ice dams. Local climate conditions and building codes often determine which underlayment is used and where it’s installed on your roof.
Drip edge – The drip edge, as its name implies, is installed along the edge of each roof plane. It’s a metal strip that provides a slight overhang for water to collect and fall off the roof to the gutter below, protecting the fascia board.
Roofing nails/screws – Nails are used to secure asphalt shingles to the roof deck, while screws are used to secure metal panels. Both are applied in a specially designed pattern to help ensure complete coverage and reduce the risk of shingles lifting during extreme weather.
Flashings – Flashings help prevent roof leaks by providing protection around roof penetrations, where vent pipes, dormers, chimneys, or other accessories cut through the roof deck. They surround these penetrations, providing a solid barrier against water intrusion.
Ridge caps – Ridge caps are shingles installed at the peak of roof planes and at hips, creating a tight seal where roofing materials intersect and giving your roof a finished look.
Which Labor and Services are Typically Included in my Estimate?
A replacement project takes several phases to complete. Here's a breakdown of the entire roof replacement process and the services that are typically included in a project proposal.
Removal and disposal – If required, your old roofing materials will be removed and disposed of or recycled. The cost includes labor, dumpster rental, and dumping fees. In some cases, you can have up to two layers of asphalt shingles before they must be removed and replaced, so you may not have to incur this expense. Your contractor can help you determine if this option is available.
Roof deck inspection – Once the old materials are removed, the contractor will perform a roof deck inspection, looking for signs of damage or soft spots where the plywood has been compromised by moisture. If damage is found, the decking material must be replaced with new material to help ensure a solid foundation for replacement. (Note that there is often an additional charge per sheet of material installed.) Additionally, they will inspect all your flashings and note any that need replacement. Even if you don’t need to have your existing roof removed, the contractor will still inspect your roof, walking around to ensure there is no deck or flashing damage before adding the new roof layer.
Installation of new materials – Next, the new materials will be installed. If your old roof was torn off, this will include the drip edge, flashings, vapor barrier, ice/water shield, shingles, and ridge cap. If another layer is added to your existing roof, only new shingles will be installed.
Cleanup – All debris from the project will be cleaned up and disposed of. This includes sweeping for roofing nails and other debris. Dumpsters will be removed, and the site should be returned to its original state.
What’s often Not Included in a Standard Roof Estimate?
While your contractor will make every effort to detail all the costs of your roof replacement before the work begins, some charges can't be predicted in advance. However, no matter when they are brought up, your contractor should be in regular contact with you regarding:
Roof deck repairs or replacement – As mentioned above, if the roof deck or sheathing has been compromised by moisture or structural damage, the plywood needs to be replaced. Most contractors charge a per-sheet rate that includes the material, fasteners, and labor to install each one.
Gutter repair or replacement – Typically, gutter repair or replacement is not included in a standard roof replacement project. If you decide you want this work performed at the same time as the replacement, your contractor can provide a separate quote.
Structural Ventilation Upgrades: While replacing your existing vents is standard, completely redesigning your ventilation system is not. If your attic lacks sufficient intake vents at or near your soffit, or if your contractor needs to cut a new ridge slot in your roof deck to transition you from box vents to a continuous ridge vent system, this type of structural retrofitting will often incur an additional charge.
Skylights – If you want to add skylights, your roofer will provide an additional charge for the work.
Warranties: What should be covered
Roofing comes with two basic types of warranties: the manufacturer’s warranty on the roofing materials/system and a labor or workmanship warranty from your contractor.
Knowing the terms of each is important so you understand what’s covered and what’s not, as well as how to file a claim, if needed.
Manufacturer’s warranty (and the Ventilation Connection)
Depending on the roofing material you selected, your roof may come with a 10–50-year manufacturer's warranty, protecting you from damage caused by material defects. For example, GAF’s Timberline HDZ asphalt shingle comes with several warranties, including a limited lifetime warranty against defects, wind protection with no speed limit, and protection from blue-green algae staining.
However, there is a major catch that many homeowners miss: almost all major manufacturers, including GAF, typically require a balanced attic ventilation system for their warranties to remain fully valid.
If your attic is poorly ventilated, trapped heat and moisture will literally "bake" your shingles and roof system from the inside out. This causes premature blistering, curling, and granule loss. Because this damage is caused by thermal factors rather than a product defect, installing shingles over an unventilated attic can void or reduce your manufacturer's warranty if the issues are tied to the lack of ventilation.
To qualify for premium enhanced system warranties—like GAF’s System Plus or Golden Pledge®—your contractor must install a complete, balanced ventilation system (including intake and exhaust vents) using qualifying GAF accessory products.
Workmanship warranty
Your roofing contractor will also provide a labor or workmanship warranty to protect you from installation errors. While the standard minimum coverage is typically one year, certified contractors can offer much more.
For instance, GAF-certified contractors with Master Elite® status can offer strong labor warranties ranging from 10 to 30 years, backed by the manufacturer itself. This covers you if a product or accessory (including your vents and flashings) is misapplied during the installation process.
Evaluating a roof replacement quote
When evaluating a quote for roof replacement, here are a few questions to ask and items to look for:
Are all the materials listed and quantified?
What services are included?
Are warranties included, and how long are they?
How long will the replacement take, and when can the work begin?
When are payments due?
Is the contractor licensed, bonded, and certified with a manufacturer?
Preguntas para hacerle a tu contratista
Here are some questions to ask your contractor about the project to help ensure you have a clear understanding of the work and the terms:
What does a new roof include, and what could cause additional charges?
What if my decking needs repair/replacement? How do you handle that?
Do you pull permits and schedule inspections?
What warranties do I get? What's covered by each?
Who will be supervising the work on-site?
What does your cleanup process look like?
What to do next
Before you sign a contract, you should know exactly what's included in your roof replacement project. Your contractor should clearly identify the materials, services, and warranties provided with the work, as well as potential additional costs. Asking questions will help clarify these aspects, helping shape your expectations for the project.
GAF-certified contractors can provide additional, extended warranties backed by GAF products and systems, as well as peace of mind knowing that installers have been properly trained. Reach out to one in your area today to get started.
FAQs About Roof Replacements
Will a roofer reuse my old flashing?
Typically, no. In a professional roof replacement, flashing around chimneys and valleys is replaced because reusing old, worn metal risks immediate leaks. Your estimate should specify if flashing replacement is included.
Does a roof replacement include repairing soft wood?
No. Replacing damaged roof decking (plywood or OSB) is almost always billed as an extra charge per sheet. Contractors cannot see the condition of the wood until the old shingles are completely torn off.
Why does my roof warranty depend on attic ventilation?
Shingle manufacturers typically require balanced attic ventilation (intake and exhaust vents) to prevent excessive heat and moisture from trapping under the roof deck and "baking" the shingles. Without proper ventilation, the manufacturer's warranty may be reduced or voided if an issue with the shingles down the road can be tied back to the lack of attic ventilation.
