Start with a location
Type the home’s street address. The city in it sets the local price level for the range; the address itself goes to no one until you send the form.
Start an estimateHow DMH works
A smarter first step for a major home project.
We turn your roof size and local prices into a planning range that you can use before committing to an inspection.
Review roof profile data
Enter the roof area, or keep a typical 2,450 sq ft roof. The range is built on three numbers: that area, and a typical pitch and complexity a contractor confirms on site.
What the numbers meanUnlock your material comparison
Leave a first name, phone and email to see ranges for asphalt shingles, metal, cedar shake and tile side by side, with expected lifespans.
Compare the materialsChoose your next conversation
Use the range to set a budget. A firm price needs an on-site inspection — go into it knowing what to ask.
Questions to ask a contractorRoof profile
What the numbers mean.
Three numbers drive most of what a roof replacement costs.
Roof area
Counted along the slope, not the floor plan, and priced in squares — one square is 100 sq ft. A 2,450 sq ft roof is 24.5 squares, before waste.
Pitch
Rise over run: 6/12 means the roof climbs 6 inches for every 12 inches across. Steeper roofs need more safety setup and slower work, so labor costs more.
Complexity
Valleys, dormers, skylights, chimneys and wall joints each need cutting and flashing. A simple gable roof costs less per square than a cut-up one.
The planning range
What the range covers — and what it can’t.
Included in the range
- Tear-off of one existing roof layer
- Roofing material for your roof size
- Underlayment and standard flashing
- Installation labor
Priced on site — can change the final number
- Soft or rotten decking found under the old roof
- More than one old layer to remove
- Structural repairs and code-required upgrades
- Steep, high or hard-to-reach roofs
- Skylights, chimneys, gutters and ventilation work
- The exact product line you choose
Before you sign
Questions to ask a contractor.
An on-site quote is where the planning range becomes a price. These questions make quotes comparable.
Are you registered in Washington?
Washington requires construction contractors to register with the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), which also records their bond and insurance. Look the company up before you sign.
What exactly does the quote include?
Ask for tear-off, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, disposal and cleanup in writing, so two quotes can be compared line by line.
What happens if the decking is damaged?
Soft or rotten sheathing only shows once the old roof is off. Ask for the price per sheet in the contract, so repairs are not a surprise.
Who handles the permit?
Permit rules differ by city. Ask whether your job needs one and who applies for it — your city page links to the local permit office.
What warranties come with the roof?
Materials carry a manufacturer warranty; the installation is covered by the contractor’s workmanship warranty. Ask how long each lasts and what would void them.
How should the payments be scheduled?
Washington L&I advises a reasonable down payment, then paying as phases of the work are completed rather than by date, and asking for lien releases from major subcontractors and suppliers before the final payment. See L&I’s Hire Smart steps.
Ready when you are
Get a clearer number for your roof.
Start with a quick range. No hard sell, no obligation.