Start with what is being replaced
Before comparing totals, establish whether each bidder proposes the same work. A localized flashing repair, a tile lift-and-relay and a complete replacement are different scopes. Ask the roofer to distinguish observed defects from assumptions and identify what cannot be confirmed until existing materials are removed. A lower price is not meaningful if it describes a different repair.
Read the measurement carefully. Roof area is not the home’s living area: slopes, overhangs, garages and intersecting planes affect the quantity. The proposal should be measured, not merely inferred from interior square footage. Look for tear-off limits, existing-layer assumptions, disposal and deck preparation before considering the selected covering.
Follow the water through the assembly
The material name is only one line of a complete roofing specification. Look for underlayment, fasteners, edge metal, valleys, wall intersections, chimney details, skylights and pipe penetrations. Ask which flashings will be replaced and which will remain. A new covering does not resolve deteriorated details beneath or beside it.
Low-slope transitions and concentrated runoff deserve explicit treatment. So do concealed deck repairs: agree on unit prices or another written pricing method before removal exposes damage, and require documentation before repairs are covered. If solar equipment is involved, separate responsibility for removal, attachments, warranties, future access and final watertightness.
Read compliance and permit lines separately
Ask the project team to identify the applicable energy requirements and any local cool-roof provisions. Cool-roof performance concerns reflectance and thermal emittance, not simply color. Product certification alone does not establish compliance with every requirement. Fire classification is a separate question and should be supported by documentation for the proposed installed assembly.
Confirm jurisdiction before accepting a permit allowance. Some City of Los Angeles reroofs may qualify for an LADBS express permit, while heavier assemblies, structural changes or other complexities can require additional review. Historic-district review may also matter. The bid should assign applications, fees, required product information, inspection scheduling and final signoff rather than leaving them implied. Check current requirements at the official sources in the roofing guide.
Finish with exclusions, payment and aftercare
Check whether structural repairs, drainage reconstruction, hazardous-material work, solar work or professional services are excluded. Compare material and workmanship warranties separately, including exclusions, transfer conditions and registration requirements. Ask who responds to a leak. A long manufacturer warranty does not necessarily cover installation defects or every component.
Site protection belongs in the price discussion: staging, landscaping protection, debris containment, daily cleanup and temporary weather protection should be clear. Require written changes and payments tied to completed work or delivered materials. For ordinary covered California home improvement contracts, the general down-payment limit is $1,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less; consult current CSLB guidance for applicability. At closeout, collect installation photographs, product and assembly records, warranties, repair documentation and permit closeout information.