Reroofing a North Syracuse, NY house built in the 1950s, 60s or 70s

The typical house in the village went up between 1950 and 1979, and the median falls near 1959. Housing of that age commonly has had its original shingles replaced once, and some have had a second job. That is a proxy for the village as a whole, not a measurement of your roof. It is still the right reason to ask a different question from the one most quotes answer.

The question is what the last roofer did. Some jobs stripped to the deck. Some laid new shingles over the old, which leaves two layers. A third covering is not allowed over two, so a roof that already has two layers has to be torn off completely, and that changes the work and the price.

You can often learn the answer from the edge of the roof. Look at a rake edge on the garage or porch, where the stack of layers sometimes shows. If you bought the house, ask whether the paperwork mentions a reroof and when. Write down what you learn so the roofer starts from your notes.

Be ready for a surprise at the deck. Boards that sat under a leaking roof for years can be dark and soft, and a quote written from the driveway cannot see them. Ask each roofer how bad boards are priced, per sheet or per board, and compare that line, not just the total.

Two towns share the village, and that is the part that trips people up. The safe step is a call to the village office, before you sign, to ask which office issues a permit for your address.

Ask three things on that call: does a roof replacement at your address need a permit, who applies, and does the village visit the finished job. Write the answers into the contract, with the name of the person who will apply. New York also expects a written contract signed before work starts, with a three business day right to cancel.

The county does not issue building permits, so there is no county desk to call. A roofer who says nothing is needed should be able to say who told them.

Two estimates that look alike often leave different things out. Lay them next to each other and tick each line for each roofer.

• Tear-off to the deck, stated in those words.
• A price for replacing deck boards if they turn out soft.
• An ice barrier at the eave, with the distance it runs up the roof.
• A new drip edge along the eaves.
• The permit, and who applies for it.

A gap in one estimate is a question, not an accusation. Call the roofer and ask what the number assumes. A roofer who explains clearly is worth more than one who is simply lower.

Check the roofer's workers' compensation coverage in the state's public search before you sign, and ask how the deposit is held.

Last, ask who will be on your roof and who you call if something looks wrong. Put the answer in your notes next to the estimate, then send the form with the lines that differ.