Why Do Some Seattle Roofing Companies Cost More Than Others?

Are you comparing roofing quotes and wondering why the prices vary so much even though the job seems identical? Are you frustrated because you don’t know how to tell if one roofer’s quote is missing something important?

At RoofSmart, we install hundreds of new roofs every year. Before each installation, we walk our customers through the proposal that we created for them. We make sure to explain the scope of work line by line and how much each item costs. 

That way, we know that you understand exactly what we’re going to do and how much it costs. This is the kind of clarity that you should get from every roofer so that you can easily make your decision. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out that way. 

In this article, we’ll break down why roofing companies charge such drastically different prices, from labor practices and skill levels to hidden shortcuts and vague contract language. You’ll walk away with the tools to compare proposals so you can decide what fits your budget and protects your home.

Do all roofers in the Seattle area charge the same price for labor?

You might think that labor costs are a pretty straightforward concept. However, there are several factors that can impact how much your Seattle area roofing company charges. 

Here are some examples:

• Newer roofers don’t know what to charge: A lot of new roofing companies don’t know how much to charge for their projects. They tend to undercharge so that you get a low price. This is a reason why some roofers seem to have significantly lower prices than their competitors. In the long run, it means that they aren’t making enough money 
• Some companies skip out on labor costs: There are a lot of extra charges that companies have to pay to operate legally. One of these is workers’ compensation, which is an extra cost on top of each employee’s hourly wage. Paying workers' comp guarantees that the employee will get insurance coverage if there is a workplace accident and protects their employer from liability. For Washington State roofers, this fee is $5.80 per hour (and per employee). Although you aren’t charged for this directly, it does usually contribute to labor costs. So, if a roofing company is operating illegally and doesn’t charge for this, it can make it seem like their prices are much cheaper for no reason. 
• Rates are different depending on skill level: The more expertise a roofer has, the higher their hourly rate or total labor cost will be. The amount that you’re charged for labor on your roof replacement project depends on the skill level of the roofers and what they charge for their services. 

Do all roofing companies bid the same scope of work?

Again, you would think that the answer to this question is yes, but it’s not. The scope of work you see on each company’s estimate may be different because each company has their own approach to creating bids and defining the scope of work. 

Sometimes it’s easy to tell what the difference in the scope of work is from company to company, but unfortunately, it’s not always obvious. 

Here are some of the ways that the scope of work can change: 

1. Not removing the old roof: One roofer might say that it’s fine to add the new roof over the old one, while another roofer wants to remove the old roof and then install the new one. Not removing the old roof will save a lot of money and time. It’s legal in some cases, but generally not a good idea for how little money it saves in the grand scheme of the total project cost. 

2. Differences in including additional repairs: There are a number of extra updates or repairs that your roofer can do while they’re replacing your roof. You might need updated ventilation, more insulation, mold remediation, or another task. Some roofers notice these things and include them on the bid, which adds to the cost. Other roofers skip over them. You can choose to opt out of these things, but it’s almost always necessary to avoid further damage and even more expensive repairs later on.

3. Vague, confusing, or unclear language: Sometimes items are phrased in a particular way that makes it hard to tell if the roofer is actually going to do it. Or, it might not adequately describe the scope of work. For example, it’s common to anticipate that some boards on your roof will be rotten and need to be replaced. So, one proposal might say something like “Replace plywood as needed,” but a different one clearly states “Replace 3 plywood boards”. In this case, you can’t really tell if the first proposal includes plywood replacement or how much it would be. 

4. Reusing vs. replacing parts: Some proposals might say that you can reuse things like flashing, pipe boots, or skylights. Others might say that you need all new materials. This can change the scope of work and material costs and create a confusing cost difference between proposals. Then you’re left wondering if you can reuse old materials or if that’s a bad idea (hint: it usually is a bad idea because the old materials are worn and damaged). 

How do I balance quality and price in my roofing proposals?

Comparing proposals is difficult because there are so many different factors to consider. It can be useful to get proposals from multiple companies to see what your options are, but if you get too many proposals, you’ll be just as overwhelmed as you were before. 

Instead of aiming to get a lot of different proposals, we recommend doing your research to find a trustworthy, qualified roofing contractor. They will be happy to explain their proposal to you so that you can figure out what they’re charging for and why. 

Make sure that you consider your roofing budget and what you want out of your new roof. Getting your roof replaced is expensive, and we respect that you want to make sure your hard-earned money isn’t wasted. 

It’s always tempting to choose the cheapest option to save money, but if you choose the wrong roofer, then they can end up costing you thousands more in repairs later on. It’s important to find a roofer that you trust to do a good job. 

What hidden costs should you watch for in a roofing estimate?

It’s one thing to compare roofing quotes, but it’s another to understand what’s actually included. Too often, homeowners in the Seattle area end up blindsided by unexpected costs after they’ve already signed a contract. From vague language to missing line items, what’s not written down can cost you big later.

Before you commit to any roofer, you need to know exactly what you’re being charged for and what might not be covered until it’s too late.

Read our article “What Are the Common Hidden Costs in a Roof Estimate?” to learn more about the factors that impact your total job cost but aren’t always obvious in a proposal. 

Need help finding a reliable roofer who will explain the proposal to you? Download our Qualified Roofer Checklist to help you evaluate your roofers and find one that is trustworthy.