--- title: "How Pricing Works" description: "CMAC does not publish price lists. This page explains what actually drives roofing, gutter, and door pricing, how insurance work differs from out-of-pocket work, and how to read any estimate." canonical: "https://cmac-new-concept.vercel.app/pricing" last-modified: "2026-08-24" --- # How Pricing Works > CMAC does not publish price lists. This page explains what actually drives roofing, gutter, and door pricing, how insurance work differs from out-of-pocket work, and how to read any estimate. Canonical: https://cmac-new-concept.vercel.app/pricing Last updated: 2026-08-24 What drives the cost of a roof, and what CMAC does for free. ## What to know. CMAC does not publish price lists, and you should be skeptical of any roofing company that does. A number posted on a website has to be either so broad that it tells you nothing or so specific that it will be wrong for your building. What we can do is explain exactly how a job gets priced, so that when you get an estimate — from us or from anyone else — you can read it properly. ## What drives the price of a roof - Measured area. Roofing is quoted in squares — one square is 100 square feet of roof surface, not floor area. A complex roof has far more surface than the footprint suggests. - Pitch and access. A steep roof requires staging and slows every stage of the work. Limited driveway or lot access changes how material and debris get moved. - Layers to remove. Tearing off two or three existing layers costs more in labor and disposal than tearing off one. - Decking condition. Rotten or delaminated sheathing is only visible after tear-off. A good estimate states a per-sheet price for replacement up front rather than surprising you mid-job. - Complexity. Valleys, dormers, chimneys, skylights, and wall transitions are where roofs leak, and detailing them properly takes time and material. - The system you choose. Three-tab, architectural, impact-resistant Class 4, standing-seam metal, concrete or clay tile, natural or synthetic slate — these span an enormous range in both material cost and installation labor. - Ventilation and code. Bringing intake and exhaust ventilation up to spec, or meeting a current code requirement the old roof predated, is often part of doing the job correctly. ## Insurance work versus out-of-pocket work These are two different transactions. On an out-of-pocket project, you are buying a scope of work and comparing bids. On a storm claim, your insurance carrier determines the scope and the settlement, and the contractor’s job is to make sure that scope actually covers the damage. Comparing an insurance-scope roof against an out-of-pocket bid is comparing two unlike things. > Your policy and applicable state law govern the deductible. Project documents should state the transaction accurately; ask your carrier or a qualified local adviser if you are unsure about your obligations. ## What CMAC provides at no cost The inspection is free. The damage documentation, including drone photography of the roof, is free. The written estimate is free. Meeting your insurance adjuster on the roof and negotiating the scope of work is included in the project rather than billed separately. None of that obligates you to anything, and if the roof does not need work, we will tell you that instead of selling you one. ## How to read any roofing estimate - Is the measured square count stated, or just a lump sum? - Does it name the actual shingle line and underlayment, or just say “architectural shingle”? - Does it include tear-off and disposal, or is that separate? - Is there a stated per-sheet price for replacing bad decking? - Are new flashings, drip edge, and pipe boots included, or is the old metal being reused? - What ventilation is being installed? - What exactly does the workmanship warranty cover, for how long, and is it transferable? - Is the contractor’s insurance certificate current and available on request? A cheap estimate is usually cheap because something on that list is missing. Ask which one. ## Free ways to get started - **Free Roof Inspection** — A full documented inspection of your roof, gutters, and exterior — including drone photography of any damage — at no cost and with no obligation. - **Free Written Estimate** — An itemized written estimate covering scope, materials, and workmanship warranty, provided free after the inspection. - **Insurance Claim Assistance** — CMAC documents storm damage and can attend the carrier inspection to explain the contractor repair scope. CMAC does not interpret policy coverage or act as a public adjuster. ## Common questions ### How much does a new roof cost? There is no honest answer to that question without seeing the roof. Price is driven by measured square footage, the pitch and complexity of the roof, how many layers have to come off, how much decking has turned out to be rotten, the material system you choose, and whether the work is going through an insurance claim or being paid out of pocket. That is why CMAC inspects and measures before quoting rather than publishing a per-square number that would be wrong for most homes. The inspection and the written estimate are both free. ### Do you charge for an inspection or an estimate? No. The inspection, the damage documentation including drone photography, and the written estimate are all free and carry no obligation. If the roof does not need work, we will tell you that. ### Do you offer financing? Financing options vary by market and by project. Ask your estimator during the inspection and they will walk you through what is currently available for your job. CMAC does not publish standing financing terms online because they change. ### Will CMAC work with my insurance company? CMAC can document visible damage, provide a contractor report, and attend the carrier’s inspection to explain the proposed repair scope. CMAC is a contractor, not a public adjuster or law firm, and does not interpret policy coverage or represent a policyholder in a coverage dispute. ### Should I file my claim before or after the inspection? Get the inspection first. Filing a claim without knowing what the damage actually is puts you in the position of arguing from a weaker footing, and a claim that gets denied still sits on your record. CMAC inspects first, documents visible and hidden damage, and gives you a professional report. Then you call your carrier with facts in hand. ### What happens with my deductible? Your insurance policy and applicable state law govern the deductible. Do not accept a promise to hide or misrepresent a deductible on project documents. Ask your carrier or a qualified local adviser about your obligations, and make sure the contract and invoice accurately describe what you pay. ### My roof looks fine from the ground. Could it still be damaged? Frequently, yes. Hail bruises the mat underneath the granule surface, and that bruising is often invisible from the ground and sometimes hard to see from a ladder. It shortens the roof’s life and creates the leaks you will discover a year or two later, after your claim window has closed. That is why documented post-storm inspections matter. ## Start with a free inspection. Tell CMAC what is happening at the property. We will inspect the condition and put the recommended scope in writing. [Request Inspection](https://cmac-new-concept.vercel.app/quote) [Call 1-888-389-CMAC](tel:+18883892622) ## Sources - https://www.cmacroofing.com/pricing