A written estimate is the document where most homeowners discover whether they're working with a contractor who's been through the job a hundred times or one who's hoping it goes well. Here's how to read one — what should be on it, what shouldn't, and what the differences mean.
What an honest estimate has on it
A repair estimate for any non-trivial job in the Tri-Cities should include the following, on one page:
- Scope of work in plain language. Not "address roof issues." Something like: "Remove and replace step flashing along the north sidewall at the chimney. Tear back 3 courses of shingle, install new aluminum step flashing (5"x7" pieces, woven). Re-install matching shingles. Seal exposed nail heads."
- Materials specified by manufacturer and product line. "Atlas Pinnacle Pristine, Architectural Slate" — not "30-year shingle." Generic material descriptions usually mean the contractor will buy whatever's cheapest that morning.
- A flat price, not an hourly rate. Repair work should be quoted as a fixed scope at a fixed price. Hourly billing rewards slow work and punishes the homeowner if anything turns up under the shingles.
- Specific exclusions if relevant. "Estimate assumes sound decking; deck repair quoted separately, with photos." This is the contractor's promise that surprise charges won't appear.
- Cleanup specified. Magnetic nail sweep, debris bagged and hauled, before/after photos. These should be in the scope, not extras.
What shouldn't be on it
Five line items that should make you pause:
- "Discounts" contingent on signing today. A reputable contractor doesn't need a same-day signature. A 24-hour decision window is fine. A two-week window is also fine. Pressure is the tell.
- "Fuel surcharge." It's 2026; fuel is in the labor rate. A fuel surcharge in the Tri-Cities (where job sites are typically 15 minutes from the shop) is a fee in search of a justification.
- "Trip fee" or "minimum service fee" tacked on after the quote was discussed. The trip is part of the job. If you got a verbal quote and the written quote has a trip fee added, ask why.
- A "deposit" of more than 30%. Repair jobs rarely need a deposit at all. We don't take deposits on smaller repairs — payment is on completion. For larger jobs, a 25–30% materials deposit is reasonable. 50% is too much. 100% upfront is the canonical "they're about to disappear" warning.
- Vague material lines. "Quality shingles." "Premium underlayment." If the estimate doesn't name the product, you don't know what you're getting.
What "competitive pricing" actually means
Three repair quotes for the same job usually cluster within a narrow band. If one quote is meaningfully below the others, something is different — and not in your favor. The four common explanations:
- They skipped the deck inspection step. They'll find "extra work" once the shingles are off.
- They priced materials a tier down. Felt instead of ice-and-water in the valleys; standard shingle instead of impact-rated.
- They're a one-person operation working evenings. Sometimes that's fine; sometimes it means the job goes on hold when their day job is busy.
- They underbid to win the work, and they'll renegotiate once the job is started. Rarer but it happens. The contract is the protection — read it.
A reasonable middle quote with a clear scope and named materials usually beats a low quote with vague scope. The cheap repair that has to be redone in 18 months is the most expensive repair.
The Palisade estimate format
Every estimate Christian writes is one page, plain English, itemized. We email the PDF the same afternoon as the on-site visit. There's a workmanship warranty in writing. There's no signature deadline.
If you've already gotten estimates from someone else and want a second written opinion, that's free and we mean it — no pitch, no follow-up calls. We'll tell you whether the work being quoted is right for your roof and whether the price is in the right neighborhood.
Have questions about your own roof? Book a free 20-minute on-site visit — Christian writes every estimate himself. Get your estimate →