The average price for a new roof in the United States if $6,600. While many factors can impact the exact price of a roof, one of the most important is how you negotiate with the chosen roofer.

Homeowners who want to save on their roof restoration without sacrificing quality should be sure to approach the negotiation correctly. Read on to learn how to talk to a roofing company about price, steps in the project, and more.

Get Plenty of Quotes

About 80 percent of retail shoppers compare prices online before deciding to buy, and that’s on much smaller purchases than a roof. When it comes time for roof restoration, you should do even more diligence.

In fact, many experts advise homeowners to get at least three roof restoration estimates.

When you need a new roof or other repairs, you should call contractors and set up appointments at your home. Be sure that every contractor is reputable and not a scam. They should have real customer reviews, licenses, and other proof to prove their legitimacy.

It’s essential to understand some of the factors that may affect your estimate. If your quotes look a lot different than your neighbor’s, it may be due to:

Different shingle materials
The slope of your roof
The extent of the damage
Varying roof heights
How easy or difficult it is to access the roof

If your home has an extreme slope or elevation, be sure to ask your potential contractors how that may affect their price.

The estimates are vital to the negotiation process as they let you know what the roof job should cost and can give you more negotiation power.

Understand How to Compare Roofing Estimates

There’s more to choosing a contractor for a roof restoration than merely looking at the proposed cost. Some low-quality contractors may try to woo you with exceedingly low prices, but that can cost you more in the long run.

Hiring the wrong roofer in the first place can cost a homeowner thousands of dollars and plenty of stress. That’s why it’s important to consider precisely what each roofer offers in their estimate.

A few questions you should ask when comparing quotes include:

How durable are the materials they will use?
What is the warranty on the roof?
What does the warranty cover?
Does the company have great reviews and a stellar reputation?

Comparing the materials used includes more than simply the type of shingles, although that is important. You should also think about whether the roofer uses high-quality starter strips, leak barriers, underlayment, and ventilation systems.

As you compare warranties, you should consider if it covers both the roof itself and the workmanship. Ask each roofer what happens if a problem arises due to shoddy workmanship.

Some companies offer these benefits, but only at a higher price. Decide on what you need in your roof, then ask each roofer to provide estimates with those factors in mind. This process will help you get a better idea of the value each company offers.

Just Ask

Once you have decided which roofing company you want, it’s time to see if there’s any wiggle room in their pricing. If your desired roofer isn’t the one who gave you the cheapest estimate, you can say that someone else gave you a lower estimate and name that figure.

If the two estimates are close enough, the contractor may match the lower price. However, your favorite roofing contractor may tell you what makes their price higher than others.

If they outline the reasons for their higher price, you can either accept that price or ask to knock off some of the extra benefits. For example, you may get a better deal if you allow a contractor to be flexible with the timing, not include ventilation, or cut down on a part of the warranty.

Furthermore, you may be able to cut costs by choosing a different roofing material. Depending on the market, your roofer could save money on the materials and pass those savings to you.

In some cases, metal roofing can be a cost-effective option. Other homeowners may save money with just a different color of shingles. If you’re open to a variety of options, you can save serious cash.

Be Honest

Negotiating a roofing job is not like getting a good deal on a used car; you are unlikely to strong-arm a contractor into a lower price. Instead, be open and upfront with your roofer about your needs.

If your insurance only pays out so much, be sure to tell the contractor that. Some contractors offer guidance for dealing with insurance companies.

If you simply cannot afford the job upfront, you can ask about payment plans. Whatever trouble you have, being honest about it is more likely to have a favorable outcome than trying to bully a contractor would.

Negotiate with Your Insurance Agent Instead

Even after comparing quotes and negotiating with a contractor, you may still have an estimate that is more than what your insurance says they will pay. Instead of hiring a scammy roofer or settling for a low-quality roof, call your insurance adjuster.

This is when getting all those estimates will come in handy. Show your adjuster that reputable contractors in your area charge more than the insurance company predicted.

Often, the first quote from the insurance company was the minimum they would pay. When they see how much roofers in the area genuinely charge, you may get a bigger insurance check.

While you’re at it, you may want to build a good relationship with the insurance adjuster. If hidden damage comes up during the roof restoration process, you may have to submit more estimates to get the money to cover the unexpected costs.

Get the Roof Restoration You Need

A little work on getting the right roofing price now can save you cash and hassle in the future. If you want to save money on your roof restoration, be sure to get plenty of quotes, compare them intelligently, honestly ask for what you need, and talk to your insurance company.

In the end, it’s important not to sacrifice the quality of the roof for a lower price. Since a great roof can last decades, you should get the roof you need now.