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How much extra is reasonable for Landmark Pro?
I’m comparing two CertainTeed roof quotes and want to judge the Landmark Pro upgrade by the whole system, not just the shingle name.
The roof has valleys and penetrations that may affect labor, and I expect to stay in the house long enough for durability to matter. I’m asking both contractors for the roof size and the same scope before comparing the upgrade cost.
The quotes are:
I’m asking each contractor to show the installed price for Landmark and Landmark Pro and the upgrade difference, including the cost per roofing square.
Before deciding, I’m asking both contractors to itemize whether each price includes:
- Tear-off and disposal
- CertainTeed starter strips
- Hip-and-ridge shingles
- Synthetic underlayment and ice-and-water protection
- Drip edge and flashing work
- Intake and ridge ventilation
- Permit, cleanup, and workmanship warranty
If the installation details are identical, how much extra would you consider reasonable for Landmark Pro? Is the main benefit usually the appearance and heavier construction, or do owners see enough practical durability to justify the premium?
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4 replies
The upgrade price is hard to judge until the ventilation design and warranty terms are separated from the shingle comparison. If both quotes use the same complete system, I’d view Landmark Pro mainly as an appearance and added-material upgrade, not automatically a major durability improvement.
Ask each contractor to specify:
- How much intake ventilation is being provided, where it’s located, and whether it’s adequate for the ridge ventilation.
- Whether existing soffit or edge vents are clear and usable, rather than simply adding a ridge vent.
- What the workmanship warranty actually covers, its duration, and whether exclusions apply to ventilation, flashing, or ice-dam-related damage.
- Whether the CertainTeed warranty requires particular starter, underlayment, ridge, and ventilation components.
A cheaper roof with balanced intake and exhaust ventilation, careful flashing work, and a meaningful workmanship warranty may be the better long-term system than Landmark Pro installed with weak intake ventilation. I’d compare those terms independently before deciding what the per-square upgrade is worth.
The warranty point is especially worth separating from the shingle upgrade. I’d also ask both contractors for the exact written product specifications, not just “Landmark” or “Landmark Pro” on the estimate.
Confirm that the comparison uses the specific Landmark product being offered for:
- Published wind-resistance rating and installation requirements
- Algae-resistance classification or warranty
- Impact classification, if that matters for your insurance or local storm exposure
- Required starter, hip-and-ridge, underlayment, and ventilation components
Landmark Pro may add weight, color options, and a more dimensional appearance, but don’t assume every performance rating changes simply because the name includes “Pro.” The ratings can depend on the exact product line and the complete installation system. If the contractors won’t identify those components and classifications in writing, I’d treat the upgrade premium as paying primarily for appearance and material differences, rather than proven storm performance.
The missing piece is whether Landmark Pro changes any verifiable financial benefit. I’d ask the contractor to identify, in writing, whether that exact shingle and installation qualify for a CertainTeed system warranty that Landmark alone wouldn’t, and whether your insurer offers a discount for the Pro product or its specific wind or impact classification.
If there’s no insurer credit and no different warranty coverage, then the extra cost is mostly for the heavier-looking, more dimensional shingle. If there is a documented discount or broader system coverage, calculate that over the years you expect to own the house and treat it as part of the upgrade value, not just an appearance premium.
Make sure both quotes use comparable colors. Landmark Pro may offer a more dimensional look, but a color difference should be treated separately from any claimed performance advantage.
Ask for side-by-side samples and confirm whether either selected color changes the quoted price. That makes it easier to decide how much of the upgrade difference is for the shingle itself versus the appearance you prefer.