When making a roofing estimate for your clients, you should keep in mind that most people hiring a professional roofer are not especially familiar with the kinds of labor required and the materials necessary to fix their roofs. Some may have no idea how much roofing should cost, causing them to raise their eyebrows when you show them your estimate. It’s good practice to go over your estimate line by line with your clients, making sure they understand what they’re paying for and why it would need to cost that much. By going over your estimate line by line with your customer, you can explain why your proposal might be higher but more accurate. You could speak to how many layers of the old roof need to be torn off; some contractors will underestimate this figure to win the proposal, then add the cost only after the work is complete. Simply put, include everything that is going to cost on the estimate, whether a drip edge needs to be installed or if there’s rotten decking that needs replacing. Whatever it is, honesty is the best policy, so long as you follow it up with a line-by-line review of the estimate with the client.