I’m with you on the “site protection” mystery fees—if it’s not spelled out, I’m suspicious. I had a guy try to charge me for “equipment access” once, whatever that means. I always ask for a line-item bid, even if it makes things awkward. Curious—has anyone actually gotten a contractor to stick to their original estimate, or do they always find “extras” once the job starts? I feel like there’s always some surprise add-on, no matter how much you prep.
I hear you on the “extras.” I’ve seen a few contractors stick to their estimate, but only when we hammered out every single detail in writing—materials, labor, even dumpster fees. I always ask for photos during tear-off too, so there’s proof if they claim extra rot. It can feel nitpicky, but it’s saved me from surprise charges more than once.
I always ask for photos during tear-off too, so there’s proof if they claim extra rot. It can feel nitpicky, but it’s saved me from surprise charges more than once.
That’s a solid move. I’ve had a couple jobs where the “hidden rot” line came up and having those photos made the difference between a reasonable change order and a padded bill. Here’s how I usually try to keep things on track:
1. Scope everything out in writing—down to the brand and color of underlayment, vent types, even drip edge style. If it’s not in the contract, it’s a gray area.
2. Ask for a line-item estimate. Some contractors just give you one big number, but breaking it down helps spot where extras might sneak in.
3. During demo, I’ll swing by if I can (or get those photos). Once, I caught a crew trying to charge for “extra plywood” that was actually just old sheathing they’d stacked up.
4. Before signing off, double-check that all debris is gone and nothing got missed—dumpster fees can balloon if they have to come back.
It does feel like micromanaging sometimes, but after getting burned once on a roof job that went 20% over budget, I’d rather be thorough upfront. Anyone else ever had luck negotiating extras before work starts? Sometimes contractors will cap rot repairs at a set price per sheet—worth asking about if you haven’t already.
Capping rot repairs per sheet is a game changer—wish I’d known about that before my last roof. My contractor just shrugged and handed me a bill for “mystery wood.” Now I always get the per-sheet price in writing, and I’m not shy about asking for photos either. It’s not micromanaging if it saves you hundreds, right? Dumpster fees are sneaky too... learned that one the hard way when they left half the old shingles behind.
“Now I always get the per-sheet price in writing, and I’m not shy about asking for photos either. It’s not micromanaging if it saves you hundreds, right?”
Couldn’t agree more. I got burned on my last roof with “surprise” rot charges—contractor just kept adding sheets to the bill and I had no idea what was actually replaced. Now I ask for photos too, and I want to see the wood before it goes in the dumpster. Some guys act like it’s a hassle, but honestly, it’s my money.
Dumpster fees are wild. My last job, they charged me for two dumpsters but only brought one, and then left a pile of old shingles behind my garage. Had to call twice to get it hauled off. I’d say double-check what’s included in writing—cleanup, haul-away, even nails in the yard. All those “extras” add up fast.
I’m in the Midwest, so weather delays are another thing. My CertainTeed quote looked good until rain pushed everything back a week and labor costs crept up. Just something to watch for if your climate is unpredictable.
