What to expect during your first call with Maine Coast Roofing
Calling a roofer for the first time can feel like a leap. You might not know what questions to ask, what information you’ll need, or whether someone’s going to show up and pressure you into a decision on the spot. If you’ve been wondering what to expect from a roofing estimate, you’re not alone—it’s one of the most common things new callers tell us they were nervous about.
So here’s the short version: it’s a conversation, not a sales pitch. You tell us what’s going on with your roof. We listen, ask a few questions, and figure out the best next step. That’s it.
Here’s a more detailed walkthrough of exactly what happens—from the first phone call to the written estimate in your hands.
The first conversation: what we’ll ask and why
When you call us at (207) 200-1053 or reach out through our website, you’ll usually talk with Kayla first. She manages the business side of Maine Coast Roofing, and her goal on that first call is simple: understand what’s going on so we can help.
Here’s what she’ll typically ask:
What are you seeing? A leak, missing shingles, storm damage, or just a roof that’s getting old? You don’t need to know the technical terms—just describe what you’re noticing in plain language.
How old is the roof? If you know, great. If not, that’s fine too. We can usually estimate the age once we see it.
Where’s the house? We serve the midcoast, Downeast, Bangor area, central Maine, and the Brunswick/Bath area. Knowing your location helps us plan the visit and understand what kind of weather your roof deals with—coastal homes face different stresses than inland ones.
Is this urgent? Active leaks and storm damage get prioritized. If your roof is aging but stable, we’ll schedule at a time that works for you.
That first call usually takes about 10 minutes. By the end of it, we’ll have a good sense of what you need and we’ll schedule a time for Larkin to come take a look in person. No commitment, no pressure—just the next step.
The on-site visit: what happens when we come to your home
The on-site visit is where we get the full picture. Larkin—our General Contractor with nearly two decades of experience—will come to your home at the scheduled time. Here’s what that looks like:
We’ll walk the property together. Larkin will start by looking at the roof from the ground and asking you to point out anything you’ve noticed—stains, leaks, areas that concern you. Your perspective matters because you see this house every day.
Larkin will get up on the roof. A ground-level view only tells part of the story. Larkin will get up there and do a hands-on inspection to see what’s actually happening with the shingles, flashing (the metal material around chimneys and vents), underlayment, and ventilation.
We’ll check the attic if accessible. The attic tells us a lot—whether there’s adequate ventilation, signs of moisture, daylight coming through the roof boards, or insulation issues that might be contributing to ice dams in winter.
We’ll take photos and measurements. These go into your estimate so you can see exactly what we’re referring to. No vague language—just clear documentation of what we found.
The whole visit typically takes 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the size and complexity of your roof. Larkin will talk you through what he’s seeing as he goes—this isn’t a situation where someone disappears onto your roof and comes back with a number. We want you to understand what’s happening with your home.
The inspection: what Larkin looks for
Every roof we look at gets the same careful attention. Our 15-point roof inspection covers the full system—not just the shingles on top, but everything working together underneath. Here’s what that includes:
Shingle condition: curling, cracking, missing tabs, granule loss
Flashing: chimney, vent pipes, skylights, wall junctions—anywhere water could find a seam
Drip edge: the metal strip along the eaves and rakes that directs water away from the fascia (the board behind your gutters)
Valleys: where two roof slopes meet—a common source of leaks if not properly sealed
Ventilation: ridge vents, soffit vents, and overall airflow through the attic
Decking: the plywood layer beneath the shingles—we check for soft spots, sagging, or signs of moisture damage
Gutters and downspouts: condition, attachment, and whether they’re directing water away from your foundation
We look at the whole picture because no detail is too small. A perfectly good set of shingles won’t protect your home if the flashing underneath has failed. And a brand-new roof won’t last if the ventilation isn’t right.
Your estimate: what you’ll receive and what it includes
After the inspection, Larkin puts together a detailed written estimate. This isn’t a ballpark number on a napkin—it’s a clear document that spells out exactly what we’re recommending and why. Here’s what you’ll see:
Scope of work. Exactly what we’re proposing—tear-off, new underlayment, ice-and-water shield placement, shingle or metal installation, flashing, cleanup. Every step, listed out.
Materials specified. Not just “new shingles” but the specific product—for example, Owens Corning Duration shingles in a specific color, or standing seam metal in matte charcoal. You’ll know exactly what’s going on your roof.
Timeline. How long the job will take and when we can start. Most residential roofs take 2 to 5 days depending on size and complexity. We confirm the start date one week in advance.
Warranty information. Our projects come with a manufacturer’s lifetime product warranty and up to a 5-year workmanship warranty from us. Your estimate will spell out exactly what’s covered.
Total cost. One clear number with no hidden fees. If anything could change that number—like finding rotted decking once the old shingles come off—we’ll tell you upfront what that could look like.
We typically get the estimate to you within a few days of the visit. And when you receive it, there’s no clock ticking. Take the time you need to review it, ask questions, and make the decision that’s right for your home. If you’d like to discuss financing options—including 0% interest—we’re happy to walk through those too.
What we won’t do
We think it’s just as important to be clear about what you won’t experience when you call us:
No high-pressure sales. We’ll never push you to sign on the spot or create artificial urgency. This is your home and your decision.
No bait-and-switch pricing. The number on your estimate is the number. If something changes during the project—like unexpected decking damage—we talk to you before any additional work happens.
No jargon without explanation. If we mention drip edge, ice-and-water shield, or ridge vents, we’ll explain what they are and why they matter. You should understand every line of your estimate.
No disappearing act. We’re a husband-and-wife team based right here in Belfast. When you call, you’re talking to us—not a call center, not a subcontractor. And we’re here after the job is done, too.
Frequently asked questions
Is the estimate free?
Yes. The phone call, the on-site visit, the inspection, and the written estimate are all free with no obligation. We want you to have the information you need to make a good decision, whether or not you choose to work with us.
How long does the whole process take from first call to estimate?
Typically about a week. We’ll schedule the on-site visit within a few days of your first call, and the written estimate usually follows within a few days after that. If you have an urgent situation like an active leak or storm damage, we’ll prioritize getting out to you as quickly as possible.
Do I need to be home during the inspection?
We prefer it. Having you there lets Larkin point things out in real time and answer questions on the spot. It also gives us a chance to check the attic, which is one of the most important parts of the inspection. But if your schedule is tight, we can work something out.
What if I just need a repair, not a full replacement?
That’s perfectly fine—and it’s something we’ll help you figure out. Not every roof issue requires a full replacement. If a roof repair will solve the problem and give you more years out of your current roof, we’ll tell you that. We’d rather do right by you than sell you something you don’t need.
What areas do you serve?
We’re based in Belfast and serve the midcoast, Downeast, Bangor area, central Maine, and the Brunswick/Bath area—covering Waldo, Knox, Hancock, Penobscot, Kennebec, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, and Cumberland counties. If your town isn’t listed, reach out anyway—we may still be able to help.
The hardest part of any roofing project is usually the first phone call. Once that’s done, the rest is just a clear process—one step at a time, with no surprises. That’s how we think it should work, and it’s how we’ve done it for over 300 roofs across the midcoast and beyond.
If you’ve been thinking about reaching out, we’d love to hear from you. Give us a call at (207) 200-1053 or send us a message whenever you’re ready. We’re right here in Belfast, and we’re happy to help.
