I’ve seen both ends of the spectrum with those breakdowns. Some folks want every nail and flashing type listed, but honestly, most insurance adjusters I’ve dealt with just want the main stuff spelled out—shingle brand/model, underlayment type, ice & water shield, ventilation details, and maybe drip edge. I’ve never had anyone ask for the exact brand of every fastener or the color code for sealant, if that helps.
One thing I do notice: the more specific you get about the “big ticket” items (like CertainTeed’s shingle line, or if you’re using synthetic underlayment instead of felt), the less likely you are to have headaches later. I had a client last year who just put “asphalt shingles” on their claim, and the adjuster tried to lowball them with builder-grade stuff. Once they updated it to “CertainTeed Landmark Pro, color: Moire Black,” suddenly the numbers made a lot more sense.
Curious if anyone’s had issues with contractors pushing for upgrades after the fact? I’ve seen a few jobs where the initial bid was vague, then halfway through they start talking about “premium ridge cap” or “designer vents” that weren’t in the original scope. Do you guys try to lock down every detail up front, or is there some wiggle room for changes as the job goes on?
Also, for those in colder climates—do you always specify ice & water shield coverage by feet or just say “code minimum”? I’ve seen that trip people up with insurance before.
Locking down the details up front is the only way I’ve found to avoid those “surprise” upgrades halfway through. I get why some contractors want wiggle room, but if they’re vague on the bid, it usually means you’ll be paying more later. I insist on a line-item estimate—brand, model, color, underlayment type, ridge cap, vents, drip edge, you name it. If they push back or say “we’ll decide as we go,” that’s a red flag for me.
On ice & water shield: I’m in Michigan, so code minimum is often just three feet up from the eave... but insurance can get weird if you don’t spell it out. I always specify “X feet from eave” in writing. Had an adjuster try to deny coverage once because the contractor wrote “code minimum” and the code changed mid-project. Lesson learned.
I’ve also had contractors try to upsell “designer” vents or “premium” caps after the fact. Sometimes those are legit upgrades, but if it’s not in the original scope or contract, I won’t pay extra unless I sign off first. Keeps everyone honest and avoids headaches later.
- 100% agree on getting every detail in writing—seen way too many “surprise” charges when stuff isn’t spelled out.
- I always push for photos of the materials before install, especially with CertainTeed. Had a crew swap out the underlayment once for something cheaper... caught it because I asked for pics.
- On ice & water: I usually go 6 feet up in the Midwest, even if code says 3. Not much price difference, but way more peace of mind with our freeze/thaw cycles.
- Watch for “starter strip” games—some bids leave it off, then tack it on later. Make sure that’s included up front.
- One thing I’ll say: sometimes contractors aren’t trying to be shady, they just assume homeowners don’t care about the details. But yeah, if they get defensive, that’s a red flag for me too.
One thing I’ll say: sometimes contractors aren’t trying to be shady, they just assume homeowners don’t care about the details.
That’s been my experience too—sometimes it’s just a communication gap. I’d add, when you’re budgeting, break down each line item and ask for clarification if anything’s vague. For CertainTeed, I always double-check the warranty terms and make sure the install method matches what’s required. It’s a pain, but catching those little things early can save a lot of hassle later. And yeah, photos of materials before install are a must... learned that the hard way with a batch of mismatched shingles once.
For CertainTeed, I always double-check the warranty terms and make sure the install method matches what’s required.
That’s a good point. On one job, we had to redo a section because the underlayment type didn’t match CertainTeed’s spec, which would’ve voided the warranty. It was a headache for everyone. I’d also say don’t just rely on the contractor’s word about “equivalent” materials—ask to see packaging or product codes. Sometimes what gets delivered isn’t what was quoted, especially with supply shortages lately.
