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A metal roof bid and a shingle bid are not two prices for one job. They are two different roofs, so skip the total at first. Line up what decides the job: the roof system, the layers under it, whether the old roof comes off, who backs each warranty, and the crew's experience. Get every answer in writing.

Can you compare a metal roof bid with an asphalt shingle bid?

Yes, but the totals will not line up neatly. A metal roof bid and a shingle bid price different products that are fastened, underlaid and warranted in different ways. Compare them row by row, using the same house, the same roof sections and the same questions for every contractor.

A bid that says only "metal roof" or "new shingles, one price" gives you nothing to compare. A useful bid names the product, describes each step and says what it leaves out. Start with our roof bid comparison worksheet, which covers the parts every roofing bid shares. Then add the rows below that fit the material.

What to look for Asphalt shingle bid Metal roof bid
Roof covering, named in writing Brand and shingle line Brand, panel profile, type of metal and coating
How it is fastened Fasteners and placement, following the manufacturer's instructions Exposed fasteners or concealed fasteners, and what upkeep that means
What goes under it Underlayment type, drip edge, flashing Underlayment type, drip edge, flashing
The old roof Torn off, or covered over, and how many layers are there now Torn off, or covered over, and who decides
Deck repair How rotted or damaged boards are priced How rotted or damaged boards are priced
Warranties Manufacturer warranty and contractor warranty, in writing Material, finish, performance and workmanship warranties, in writing
Impact and wind ratings Rating listed, for which product Rating listed, for which panel
Installer experience Years with this shingle line Jobs completed with this panel system
Exclusions and change orders What is left out and how extra work is priced What is left out and how extra work is priced

What kinds of metal roof might a bid quote?

A metal roof bid may quote one of three kinds of system. McElroy Metal, a manufacturer, names exposed fastener panels, standing seam panels, and specialty panels that replicate the look of materials such as shingles, slate or tile. Exposed-fastener panels are held down by fasteners through the face of the panel. Standing seam panels hide the fasteners beneath it.

McElroy describes the trade-off this way. With exposed-fastener systems, the fasteners and washers "remain exposed to the elements and may require periodic inspection and maintenance." Standing seam systems "are designed to accommodate thermal movement," which the page calls an important consideration on longer panel runs. It also says exposed fastener panels are "often selected for budget-conscious projects" and standing seam systems are "commonly chosen for their clean appearance and concealed fasteners."

That is a manufacturer describing its own product category, so treat it as a list of questions, not a verdict. Find out which system each metal bidder is pricing, what metal and coating the panel uses, and what upkeep the fasteners are expected to need over the years.

What goes under the roof covering in each bid?

Both bids should name what sits between the roof deck and the roof covering. The Metal Roofing Alliance, a metal roofing trade group, describes underlayment installed over the roof sheathing as an inner barrier against water getting into the house. Have each bid name the underlayment, the drip edge and the flashing.

For shingles, the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) gives the general rule as applying drip edge "underneath the underlayment along the eaves and over the underlayment on the rakes." It adds that with self-adhering underlayment at the eave, some manufacturers or local codes may allow a different order, and it tells readers to consult the manufacturer's instructions.

You need each bid to say in writing what it uses and where, so you can see whether two bids describe the same layers. If one bid lists underlayment and flashing and another does not, the second may price less work, or it may simply be silent. Find out which.

Does the old roof come off?

A bid should say whether the old roof is removed or covered. The Metal Roofing Alliance notes that a metal roof often "may be installed over the existing roof, eliminating the need for tear-off and disposal." For shingles, ARMA reports that most manufacturers do not recommend new shingles over existing laminated shingles.

Whether the old roof comes off changes the price and changes what you can see. The Alliance recommends checking with your installer on whether it must be removed. ARMA lists the chance to inspect the roof deck and repair any damage among the benefits of replacement, and it notes that local building codes may limit your options, generally allowing no more than two roof coverings on a building.

Get each contractor to say how many layers are on your roof now, whether the bid removes them, and what happens if boards under the old roof turn out to be damaged. Our guide to change orders and hidden damage explains how to get a price for those surprises in writing before work starts.

How do the warranties compare?

Some warranties are basically worthless, and some warranties mean the roof will probably outlive you. The difference is in the document, so have each bid separate its warranties and name who backs each one. The Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) lists several common ones for a metal roof, and shingle roofs also split between the manufacturer and the contractor.

The MRA list: a manufacturer material warranty, a paint and finish warranty, a weather and performance warranty, a workmanship warranty, and transferable warranty options. In its words, the finish warranty "protects against fading, chalking, peeling, or corrosion of the factory-applied coating," the material warranty "covers defects in the metal panels, fasteners, or roofing components," and the workmanship warranty is "provided by the roofing contractor to cover installation-related issues." Some systems also include protection "against wind damage, hail resistance, or water penetration when installed to manufacturer specifications."

Get each warranty as a document, not a sentence in a bid. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) advises homeowners to read a roofing warranty closely and understand the conditions that would void it. For the shingle side, our guides on manufacturer-backed roof warranties and the contractor workmanship warranty show what to look for.

Does an impact or wind rating change the comparison?

It can, if a bid lists one. Some metal panels are listed under UL 2218 Class 4, the same impact standard used to rate shingles. Have each bid state which rating it lists, for which named product, and where the proof is. A rating belongs to a tested product, so do not assume it from the material alone.

McElroy Metal's UL 2218 technical bulletin, issued in 2006 and revised in 2017, shows how this works: it lists specific named steel, copper and aluminum panels as Class 4, not metal roofing in general. ARMA also notes that impact resistance ratings for asphalt shingles "may be affected when new shingles are installed over existing shingles."

Many insurers offer a discount when you install impact-resistant roofing, and the amount varies by company and state. Ask yours what it offers. Our guides to Class 4 impact-resistant shingles and roof wind ratings explain what those ratings do and do not promise.

What should you ask a contractor who quotes a metal roof?

Find out whether the crew has installed this exact system before. The Metal Roofing Alliance's buyer's guide lists the question: can they install this roof, and do they have the experience or training to do so. Request recent references and job locations you can drive past, and find out who backs the product warranty.

The Alliance's guide also suggests learning who produced the product, where and from what raw materials. It advises checking that an installer is licensed, insured and carries workers' compensation coverage, and getting proof of insurance. NRCA gives similar advice for any roofing contractor: a written proposal with complete descriptions of the work and specifications, and client references and a list of completed projects.

What to ask every roofing contractor

Copy this list into a note and send it to each contractor before you compare totals.

  • What exact product are you quoting: brand, line or profile, metal or shingle type, and coating or color?
  • For metal: exposed fasteners or concealed fasteners, and what upkeep does that system need?
  • What goes under the roof covering: underlayment, drip edge and flashing, by name?
  • Is the old roof removed or covered, how many layers are there now, and why?
  • How do you price rotted or damaged deck boards, and what is the price per sheet?
  • Which warranties come with this roof, who backs each one, and can I see the documents?
  • What do the warranties exclude, and what would void them?
  • Which impact or wind rating does this product carry, and where is it documented?
  • Have you installed this exact system before, and can I see recent jobs or talk to recent customers?
  • Who does the work: your own crew or a subcontractor?
  • What are your license number and proof of insurance?
  • What does the bid leave out, and how are extras priced and agreed?

Where Otter Quotes fits

Otter Quotes creates a written scope of work for your roofing project and sends it to multiple contractors, who compete with bids on that same scope. When you set up the project, you choose shingles or metal. You compare the bids and sign online, without a salesperson in your home. Homeowners who provide a copy of their insurance estimate pay nothing. Without one, if you order measurements from us, you pay as little as $22.63 up front for professional measurements that contractors use to bid. The report is yours to keep. If you complete a job on the platform, that money is refunded to you. Contractors pay Otter Quotes a fee on the accepted bid. We do not work with your insurance company or sell upgrades.

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Frequently asked questions

Why do metal roof bids and shingle bids look so different?

They price different products. A metal roof bid names panels, metal, coating and a fastening system, while a shingle bid names a shingle line. The layers underneath, the warranties and the treatment of the old roof can also differ. Compare row by row, not by total, and put the same questions to each contractor.

What is the difference between exposed-fastener and standing seam metal roofing?

Exposed-fastener panels are held down by fasteners that pass through the panel face. Standing seam panels hide the fasteners. McElroy Metal, a manufacturer, says exposed fasteners and washers may need periodic inspection and maintenance, and that standing seam systems are designed to accommodate thermal movement. Have each bid name the system it prices.

Can a metal roof go over my old roof?

Sometimes. The Metal Roofing Alliance says a metal roof may often be installed over an existing roof, which can eliminate tear-off, and it recommends checking with your installer on whether the old roof must be removed. ARMA says local building codes can limit reroofing options for shingles. Have every bidder state in writing whether the old roof comes off and why.

What warranties come with a metal roof?

The Metal Roofing Alliance lists several common ones: manufacturer material, paint and finish, weather and performance, workmanship, and transferable warranty options. Each can have its own terms and its own company standing behind it. Get each one as a document, and read what would void it.

How do I find out whether a contractor has installed metal roofs before?

Put the question directly, then check. The Metal Roofing Alliance suggests confirming that the crew can install the system and has the experience or training to do so, and requesting recent references and job locations you can visit. Then call each reference and find out whether the contractor finished the work as written.

Sources

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