Homeowner decision guide
Roof repair or replace: compare the exact area and work
A patch and a full reroof do not cover the same surface or future risk. Begin with the documented location and cause of the problem. Then inspect the replacement proposal's tear-off, decking allowance, flashing, underlayment, ventilation, cleanup, and warranty before interpreting any price gap.
Locate the damage before comparing prices
- Ask for photos or an inspection record that locates the damage and explains why a localized repair is or is not viable.
- Separate a fixed installed total from allowances and change-order conditions. Hidden decking damage can make an apparently cheaper proposal incomplete.
- Compare the scope and materials in each written estimate. A lower total does not necessarily mean the same roof assembly or the same labor warranty.
Roof scope on the proposal
A missing cell means the quote has not said. Ask whether that work is excluded or will be priced later. Do not treat a blank as included.
| Written item | On a repair quote | On a replacement quote |
|---|---|---|
| Where it failed | Photo or inspection note of the location and cause | Why a localized repair will not hold |
| Decking | Whether the deck under the patch is included | How many sheets are included before a change order |
| Flashing and ventilation | The flashing the patch actually touches | Step, chimney, valley, and intake or exhaust ventilation |
| Tear-off | Usually the damaged area only | Layers removed, disposal, and the squares in the price |
- Tear-off area, disposal, and any decking allowance
- Flashing, underlayment, ventilation, and permit
- Material specification, cleanup, exclusions, and workmanship warranty
Questions for the roofing contractor
- Where exactly is the failure, and what evidence supports a full replacement?
- How much decking repair is included before a change order?
- Which flashing and ventilation work is part of the stated price?
Compare the patch with the reroof you were quoted
Compare the documented leak area with the full reroof assembly. Enter the repair quote even if the replacement price is still blank, and keep each proposal's rebate on its own line.
Use the free worksheetWhat a roof worksheet cannot decide
This is a scope and cash worksheet, not a roof inspection. It does not estimate life remaining or turn regional weather into a roof-failure probability. Active leaks near wiring or structural hazards require qualified attention.
Sources
Reviewed October 9, 2026. Program eligibility and local requirements should be confirmed before approving work.