On May 18, 3:42*pm, "Doug" wrote:
On Thu, 17 May 2012 19:40:00 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03









wrote:
On May 17, 12:42 am, "Doug" wrote:
On Wed, 16 May 2012 18:52:04 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03

wrote:
On May 16, 5:20 pm, "Doug" wrote:
On Wed, 16 May 2012 12:45:54 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03

wrote:
On May 16, 2:57 pm, "Doug" wrote:
On Wed, 16 May 2012 10:19:53 -0400, "TomR" wrote:
Mike wrote:
I'm trying to research the cost of a new roof.
I have a old house built in 1900.
It's 2.5 story house. There's about 1100sf on the 1st and 2nd floor.

The measurements of the roof line is 33 by 33 and the pitch is very
steep.

I'll need a total rip off along with new decking.
I'm interested in 40 year dimensional asphalt shingles.

I hoping I can keep my gutters since I replaced them about 3 years
ago.

Is this all possable for under 12k.

Any imput would be helpful
Thanks

The good news is that it is easy to get a couple of estimates for this type
of job. It is pretty much a straight up job that doesn't require a lot of
explanation. You would just let the contractors know that it is a complete
tear-off down to the rafters and that you want all new decking and 40-year
dimensional asphalt shingles, and that you would like to be able to keep the
existing gutters and downspouts if they think that is possible.

You don't even have to be there when they do the estimate although if it
were me I would want to be there and hear what they say, see what they are
like to deal with and talk to etc.. But, since they do not need to go into
your house to do the estimate, they can do it anytime without you having to
meet them there.

Your 1100 sq. ft. estimate may or may not be correct. If any of the roofers
do measure it and tell you the actual number of "squares" it is, that would
be good to know. A "square" is 100 sq. ft. (10' x 10'). If your estimate
of 1100 sq. ft. is correct, you have 11 squares.

I don't think so. His roof is on a steep pitch not flat so it's going
to be more than 11 squares. And then the roof may have misc on it to
add to that. Bottom line is more than 11 squares.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

As I said/asked in an earlier post:

Why does it matter how many squares the roof is?

The final price is going to be the final price based on not only the
size of the roof, but any other work that may need to be done.

If 3 or more contractors give estimates within a reasonable range of
each other, adjusted for differences in the actual work they'll do and
what materials they will use, what does is matter if the roof is 11
squares, 111 squares or 1.1 squares?

I had 5 estimates and not one of them included the number of squares.
4 of the 5 were within a few of hundred dollars of each other for the
tear-off/re-roof portion of the estimate. One was way out of line for
other reasons.

Why does the number of squares matter - unless, of course, you are
buying your own material?

I'm NOT arguing with you but don't you think it's a good idea for
future reference?

No.

I do.

Why?

I also had a new roof put on about 1 year ago. They estimated mine at
40 to 45 squares including the detached garage.

And what will you do with that information "in the future"?

If your answer is going to be "so I can get a rough estimate" then
you'd better also remember how long your ridges are, how many feet of
ice and water shield you'll need, the number and length of valleys,
etc. or your rough estimate will be so rough it won't be worth the
trouble you went through to remember how many squares you'll need.

Nonsense where I live. If the roofer does enough roofs in the same
area, he knows the average $/square to do the job.

So what I think I'm hearing is this...correct me if I'm wrong.

The next time you need a roof, you're going to call around and ask a
number of roofers to give you an estimate on "40 - 45 squares".

If they give it to me, yes for my budget.

Why wouldn't they? Perhaps because the number of squares is not enough
to base a decent estimate on?


Then, once you have those numbers, you'll choose one or more to come
over and give you an actual quote.

That plus other considerations will help me decide who to call for an
actual quote.

Is that what you mean when you say knowing how many squares is "a good
idea for future reference"?

Yes. *For me, it allows me to budget rather than guess.

For my own house, the estimate and the actual quote were close.

So, you knew the number of squares before hand and got some "remote
estimates" before anyone came to the house?

If not, what was the estimate based on?

"before anyone came to the house?".... * yes and no, let me explain.
We had roofers driving up and down the street looking for more work
when many roofs in the area were being replaced so I decided to speak
to one of them. *In talking, I learned the # squares for my roof.

Well, it seems to me that if "many roofs" were all replaced at the
same time, then you'll have just as many roofers driving up and down
your street when all those roofs age out and you can just flag a
couple down for an on-site estimate. No need to call around trying to
get estimates based solely on the number of squares you have. :-)

In any case, going back to your original question, I still don't think
that knowing the number of squares on my roof is something I'll ever
need "for future reference". If you think you'll be using that
information in your future, then it's a good thing you know your
numbers. Make sure you write then down someplace so you don't forget
them. ;-)