Contracting a Roofer: How to Know if the Scope of Work Is Acceptable

Your contract with a roofer should include a “Scope of Work” section, where every step of the roofing project is itemized. Here is an example of a good Scope of Work.

Your contract with a roofer should include a “Scope of Work” section, where every step of the roofing project is itemized. Here is an example of a good Scope of Work.

Before signing a contract, make sure it includes each of these 12 steps.

STEP 1. Material Delivery

Your new roof materials are delivered a day or so before the installation will begin. Our supplier will deliver materials to the ridge of your roof where possible. If our supplier can’t deliver the materials to your roof (because of low power lines, steep driveway, driveway can’t take the weight of the truck, or the old roof is something other than asphalt shingles) then we will stack it on a pallet in the location of your choice.

STEP 2. Removal

We’ll Protect any patios/decks, landscaping, and other sensitive areas as needed. Then we’ll remove the existing roof down to the wood deck. We’ll then inspect the wood decking for structural soundness and replace wood to match as necessary.

STEP 3. Drip Edge

Install F5" Aluminum Drip Edge along all the edges of the roof (eaves AND rakes) Per IRC Residential Building Code R905.2.8.5.

STEP 4. Leak Barrier

Install Leak Barrier at all eaves, valleys, around penetrations, and all low slope areas with a roof slope/rise between 2-in-12 and 3-in-12. Per IRC Residential Building Code R905.2.7.1.

STEP 5 Deck Protection

Install GAF Feltbuster synthetic Roof Deck Protection underlayment over remaining wood decking. Per IRC Residential Building Code R905.2.7

STEP 6. Start Strips

Install GAF starter strip shingles at all roof edges (eaves AND rakes).

STEP 7. Shingles

Install GAF Timberline HDZ asphalt shingles using hot dipped 1-1/4" coil nails and 6 nails per shingle penetrating at the nailing zone on the shingles. Per IRC Residential Building Code R905.2.1, R905.2.2, R905.2.4, R905.2.6.

STEP 8. Flashing

Replace ALL flashings that can be accessed without damaging siding materials. This includes: counter, step, and apron flashings with new color coated aluminum. Step flashings will be 4”. Any flashings fastened to masonry (such as a chimney) will be properly cut into the masonry with a diamond blade grinder. Seal any exposed nail heads and transitions with commercial grade polyurethane sealant. Per IRC Residential Building Code R905.2.8.3, R905.2.5, R905.2.6.

STEP 9. Pipe Collars

Install Lifetime Brand Pipe Collars. Properly lubricating pipe to slide on compression collar, nailing, the flange ONLY on the top and sides, and installing Leak Barrier over top of the flange.

STEP 10. Ridge Vent

Install GAF Snow Country Advanced, baffled covered ridge vent using GAF’s 3" ring shank steel nails. Ensure ridge opening is minimum 3" wide and cut as needed to ensure a 3" opening.

STEP 11. Ridge Cap

Install Seal-A-Ridge ridge cap shingles over ridge vents and on all hips and ridges using 2" nails over ridge vents and standard 1-1/4" roofing nails on all other hips and ridges.

STEP 12. Cleanup

Paint all pipes and furnace stacks to match shingles and protect against rust or corrosion. Perform a thorough hand cleanup and magnet sweep to pick up all debris and nails. Blow the roof surface and all patios, decks, walks, and driveway clean.