Help! Too Suspect Have received from co.s in good standing with BBB. 3 est. to reroof. 4, 6, and 7,5 thousan

Question

They all offered same choices in materials. All will tear off, hall away, use felt (is "standard felt" the same as 15)? All dealing with roof vents, pipe flashings, and metal edge. The middle price was from a smaller company who also said he'd hand nail instead of nailgun and that would be better. True? He also said the existing shingles were "too short" no overhang. The others didn't mention that problem. The others also made note of a sq. ft. price for replacing bad decking if need, $1.90 and $1.40 per foot. Both said they noticed none at estimate time. When the man with the highest price arrived I told him I already had 1 est. He said they would price match. When he heard the amount later, he didn't offer to match. Said he didn't see how they could do a good job so cheap. Maybe the cheap guy is using illegals (which I don't want). Should I ask why he's so much cheaper? Oh, the house is about 19000 square feet and we're going with 30 year shingles, not the old 3 tab.

Answer 1

I came up with 6100 and some change. 15lb pound felt is standard felt. Go with the miidle price. if the guy is hand nailing he is going to take his time. Hand nails tend to sit better then gun nails. ask the middle guy for plywood repalce ment est cost , most likely he will tell you. Get a ref. list of past customers.

Answer 2

I don't rely on the BBB. Seems there are some politics if the contractor is a Member. Get some referals instead. Is this roofing going over existing or teardown and all new? I ask because what they call "nail guns" are usually "staple guns". They don't hold as well on a second layer. Most roofers I know leave a 1" overhang so water goes into the gutters. I would go with the middle bid. NOTE: Check for insurance. We have a roofer in my area that makes his workers get their own insurance but doesn't ask for proof.