Roofing estimateshould say
A roofing estimate should name the work, the materials by maker and product line, who pulls the permit, the warranty, the dates, and when you pay, all in writing. Get at least three for the same scope, and a free roof inspection gets you one of them.
What goesin the estimate
Texas has no state roofing license, so the written estimate and contract are your main protection. The National Roofing Contractors Association says to look for complete descriptions of the work and specifications, with approximate starting and completion dates and payment procedures.2
- The work: tear-off or overlay, decking, underlayment, flashing, and ventilation.
- The materials by maker and product line. The Texas Attorney General says you may specify the grade or thickness.1
- Who pulls the permit and who hauls away the old roof. Our El Paso roofing permit guide covers the permit.
- The warranty terms, read through for anything that would void them.2 Our roof warranty guide explains what to look for.
- The start and finish dates, and the cost of any special-order materials.1
- The payment schedule, with what part of the job is done at each payment.
As a roofing company in El Paso, Lifetime Roofing starts with a free inspection. The written estimate follows within 48 hours of it and says what we found the roof needs. When a repair will do, we quote the repair.
You can keep the estimate whether or not you hire us. If you do, the warranty paper is handed over at the end of the job.
Check this first. If you can't tell from the page what the price covers, ask for a breakdown before you sign.
Hidden damageand extra charges
The contract should say how a change to the job is priced. The Texas Attorney General notes that a contractor will often require a service charge for changing the work order, and that this should be covered in the contract.1
Rotten decking found once the old roof is off is the usual case. Before you sign, ask how the contractor would price and approve extra decking, and have the answer written in.
How manyquotes to get
Get at least three quotes in writing, and give every roofer the same scope so the bids compare.3 The Texas Attorney General's wording is looser: bids from more than one person for any work on your house.1
Line the quotes up against each other and check shingle grade, underlayment, flashing, deck work, and warranty. Quotes aren't always like for like, and our roof replacement page lists the same checks.
Be careful with the lowest bid. The Attorney General warns that a very low bidder may not plan to include all the specific tasks you expect.1 The NRCA advises a healthy skepticism about the lowest bid, since price is only one criterion.2
What to payand when
Expect to pay part of the cost before the work begins, but never all of it. In Texas, a contractor will usually ask for partial payment in advance, while scammers ask for payment in full up front.1
Even with a reputable roofer and a sound contract, don't pay in full until the work is complete and you've inspected it yourself. Don't sign a certificate of completion until the site is cleaned up and you're satisfied.1
We found no Texas law that sets a deposit percentage, so be wary of anyone who quotes one as the law. The payment schedule in the contract should say what part of the job is done when each payment is due.1
Keep your money out of a lien
If your contractor doesn't pay a supplier, the property can be liened for the unpaid amount. On a homestead job over $5,000, Texas Property Code 162.006 requires the contractor to deposit your payments in a construction account.4 Ask for written verification.1
Property Code 53.255 also tells owners to keep 10 percent back during the work and for 30 days after, and to ask for an affidavit that all bills are paid.5
Short version. Pay part before, never all, and make the last payment after you've walked the finished roof.
Questions people askabout roofing estimates
What should a roofing estimate include?
Short answer. The work in detail, the materials by maker and product line, the permit, the warranty, start and finish dates, and the payment schedule. Lifetime Roofing of El Paso gives a free written estimate within 48 hours of the inspection.
How many roofing quotes should I get?
Short answer. At least three, in writing, for the same scope. The Better Business Bureau recommends three; the Texas Attorney General says more than one. Lifetime Roofing of El Paso's estimate is free, so it costs nothing to add one.
Should I pay a roofer upfront?
Short answer. Part, yes; all, no. The Texas Attorney General says contractors usually ask for partial payment in advance, but scammers ask for all of it. Don't pay in full until the work is finished and you've inspected it.
Does Texas cap a roofing deposit?
Short answer. We found no Texas law that sets a deposit percentage. Lifetime Roofing of El Paso checked Property Code Chapters 53 and 162 and Business and Commerce Code Chapter 601. Treat any percentage quoted as law with caution.
What if my roofer doesn't pay the supplier?
Short answer. You can face a lien on your property for the unpaid amount, says the Texas Attorney General. Ask for written proof of a construction account on homestead jobs over $5,000, and for a bills-paid affidavit at the end.
Where these factscome from
- Texas Attorney General, How to Avoid Home Improvement Scams, read November 1, 2026.
- National Roofing Contractors Association, Selecting a Professional Roofing Contractor (steep-slope), read November 1, 2026.
- Better Business Bureau, How to hire a reliable and trustworthy general contractor, read November 1, 2026.
- Texas Property Code, Section 162.006, read November 1, 2026.
- Texas Property Code, Section 53.255, read November 1, 2026.
More fromthe guides
- Lifetime Roof Warranty: What It Covers
What lifetime, maker, workmanship and transferable roof warranties each cover and leave out.
- New Roof Cost in El Paso: Outside Ranges
What outside sources say a new roof costs in El Paso and Texas, and how to get a real price.
- Roof Repair Cost: Outside Ranges
What outside sources say a roof repair or leak fix costs, and what moves the price.
- FHA and VA Roof Requirements
What FHA and VA say about roofs: FHA's two-year line, and VA's no-number rule.
Call Lifetime Roofing of El Paso
(915) 353-3934
Get a free roof inspection
Based at 8900 Gateway Blvd E, El Paso, TX 79907