Have you ever looked at your roof proposal and thought, “Am I getting ripped off?”
Do you feel like you’re being overcharged by your roofer, but don’t know enough to question the estimate? Are you afraid of signing a contract only to be hit with surprise fees during the project?
Many Seattle area homeowners feel overwhelmed or even blindsided when reviewing roofing estimates, especially when some companies bundle fees into a lump sum without explaining anything.
At RoofSmart, we replace hundreds of roofs per year and take the time to sit down with each customer before replacement to review and explain the proposal and your options. That way, we know that you understand exactly what you’re being charged for and why.
In this article, we’ll uncover the most common “hidden” costs in roofing estimates so you know what’s included in the roof work proposal, why it’s included, and how to spot red flags in vague proposals.
From permit fees and labor projections to materials you didn’t know your roof needed, you’ll walk away with the clarity you need to ask smart questions and avoid costly surprises.
What additional costs are you paying for in a roof estimate beyond materials and labor?
In a typical roof estimate or proposal, you’ll get the cost breakdown for the materials and labor needed to install your new roof. On top of that, there are a few other fees that are included in the total job cost:
- Permit fee: This will vary depending on what city you live in and what kind of work you want to get done. Some cities in the Seattle area do not require permits for certain roof work, while others do. Your roofer can help you figure out if a permit is needed for your roof. The permit price is different for different types of roof work, so your roofer won’t be able to tell you exactly how much it costs until the city charges them.
- Workers’ compensation: Part of making sure that our employees are insured is paying an additional charge per person per hour. For the roofing industry in Washington State, the charge is around $5.80 per hour. This rate can add up when you have a 3 to 5-person crew working on a roof for 3 days. This can add to the labor costs for your project. Some roofing companies don’t insure their crews, so their labor costs are much lower than others. It might be tempting to lower the total price of your job, but choosing a roofer who doesn’t insure their crews can be a big risk and hassle to you if they get injured on the job. If they don’t have insurance…you do.
- Payroll tax: Just like workers’ comp, payroll tax is an additional charge that roofing companies face to legally pay their workers. While this isn’t a direct charge that you pay, it can contribute to labor costs. Similar to workers' compensation, if your roofing company does not include this in the final proposal, it might seem like they’re charging less, but it’s possible that they’re just excluding this charge.
- Sales tax: After everything else is included in your bid, you’ll also have to account for sales tax, which makes up at least 10% of the total job cost.
These fees are usually included in other costs, making them hidden. They’re most noticeable when you’re comparing costs between roofers and see an increase in cost for the same amount of work.
What is included in a roof estimate aside from the roof material?
Of course, when you get an estimate or proposal, you see the cost of the shingles included in it. However, there are many other items that are also included in the estimate.
Many people don’t consider the other materials that you need to account for when replacing your roof. For example, the additional items can include
- Roof decking (plywood boards): If your roof decking is rotting, it definitely needs to be replaced. The problem is that your roofer can’t tell it’s rotting until they tear off the old roof. This means that you might need to pay some additional money to replace the rotten wood. This could be a few hundred dollars for a small patch or a few thousand dollars for the whole roof.
- Ventilation: You might need to replace some air vents on your roof or redo your entire ventilation system to make sure that it is up to code. Improper ventilation is a common problem in the Seattle area because many homes are old and outdated compared to modern building codes. But more than being up to code…does the ventilation plan actually seem to work? It should be up to code and actually be able to work.
- Hip and ridge cap: Most homeowners in the Seattle area choose asphalt shingles because it is the most affordable option. With this type of roof, you also need to get hip and ridge cap, which are specialized roof pieces that cover the peak of your roof. These aren’t usually expensive, but they do add to the total cost. If you’ve never had your roof done before, you might not anticipate this cost.
- Flashing: Flashing is an important part of the roof, especially in a rainy area like Seattle. Flashing is installed around the outer edges of your roof and in other vulnerable areas to help direct water off the roof and into the gutter. Without it, your roof is at a higher risk of leaking. Flashing doesn’t usually cost much, but it is a factor that not many consider if they aren’t familiar with roof work.
- Pipe boots: Pipe boots, also referred to as pipe flashing, are another key item that can help protect your roof from leaks in the rainy Seattle weather. There are different types of pipe flashing that you can get, depending on how much you want to spend. The more expensive, higher-quality options will give you better protection.
- Underlayment: Before the shingles can be installed on your roof, your roofer will need to install some form of underlayment to help protect your roof. There are different kinds of underlayment you can choose from. Your roofer can help you decide what kind of underlayment you need to protect your roof from Seattle weather.
- Special considerations: Every project has special considerations. Does your proposal speak to something unique to yours, or is it a copy/paste? If you could change your name to your neighbor’s and it still works, then you’ve got a roofer who’s neglecting the details. Likely you’ll get a slipshod style of workmanship, which will lead to huge costs down the road, because you’ll likely be redoing that roof far earlier than you expect.
Most of these ‘hidden’ costs are items that contribute to material costs, but aren’t always obvious to you. It’s common not to know how to anticipate these items in your proposal if you’ve never gotten your roof replaced before.
However, your roofer should make sure that they clearly explain why they included these items in the proposal. But a bigger question is when they don’t include necessary items at all. Don’t be afraid to ask why stuff is missing from the proposal!
Some roofers just give a total cost estimate without listing out any of the materials and other costs. This basically makes everything a hidden cost because you can’t tell how much you’re paying for anything.
Make sure that your roofer clearly explains in the proposal how they came up with the total, and ask questions about anything that is unfamiliar or unclear to you.
Not sure how to find a trustworthy, qualified roofer who will explain the proposal to you? Use our Qualified Roofer Checklist to help you evaluate your options and find a reliable roofer.
How much does a roof actually cost in the Seattle area?
By now, you understand that a roof estimate includes far more than just shingles and labor. From permits to underlayment to ventilation upgrades, these hidden costs can add thousands to your final bill if you don’t know what to look for.
But even with that knowledge, you may still be wondering: What does a new roof actually cost to install here in the Seattle area?
Your next step is to read our article “How Much Does a Roof Cost in 2025? Prices for Seattle Homeowners,” where we break down real pricing based on home size, roof type, and Seattle-specific labor costs. You'll get a clear sense of what most homeowners are paying and where your own project might land on the pricing spectrum.
At RoofSmart, we believe in transparency at every step. Understanding the numbers behind your estimate means no surprises—just smart decisions and a roof you can trust for years to come.
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