Questions covered in this guide
Ask what the inspection found
Request photographs and a written explanation of the observed problem. Ask the roofer to distinguish a damaged location from a conclusion about the entire roof. A leak seen indoors identifies a symptom; your decision sheet should record the professional's explanation of its cause and any uncertainty that remains.
Define the repair boundary
Ask what area and components the proposed repair covers, what adjacent conditions were inspected, and what would make the roofer revise the recommendation. Request the repair scope and applicable warranty in writing. GAF's homeowner guidance says partial repairs may be possible in some circumstances and recommends professional evaluation when deciding between repair and replacement.
Compare complete alternatives
For replacement, request the measured roof area, tear-off scope, treatment of flashing and the method for authorizing concealed damage. For repair, request the exact work and exclusions. Do not divide replacement cost by a guessed remaining life to declare a winner. The unknown life is doing most of the work in that calculation.
Make the uncertainty actionable
Create three questions for the inspection: what can be confirmed now, what may only become visible during work, and how a changed scope would be priced and approved. If two roofers disagree, ask each to explain the observation driving the recommendation. Use the calculator for a replacement planning range only; it does not diagnose damage or estimate an unspecific repair. The next conversion worth making is from a vague recommendation to a comparable written scope.
Putting it into practice
A comparison needs the boundary of each proposed remedy. The worksheet keeps inspection findings separate from uncertainty about concealed conditions and avoids treating a replacement budget as a repair estimate.
Sources and supported claims
GAF advises professional evaluation of repair versus replacement and notes that partial roof repairs can be possible in some cases.
Source ↗ · national · Checked 2026-10-12
GAF explains that contractor workmanship coverage and manufacturer material coverage are different warranty categories.
Source ↗ · national · Checked 2026-10-12