Different words can mean different amounts of work
Do not compare a repair price with a replacement price as though they buy the same result. Ask which areas and layers are addressed, what remains, and what problem the scope is intended to solve. The description matters more than whether a proposal sounds comprehensive.
| Scope | Plain-language meaning |
|---|---|
| Repair | Work directed at an identified problem area |
| Coating | A specified treatment applied to a suitable surface |
| Recover | A new roof covering over an eligible existing assembly |
| Replacement | Removal to an agreed extent followed by new roofing work |
Begin with findings about the existing roof
The condition of the existing assembly and its moisture and drainage concerns must inform the proposed approach. A recover is not simply permission to add a covering to any old roof. Likewise, a surface treatment is not evidence that underlying conditions have been corrected.
Ask why an option was chosen
A useful recommendation connects the observed findings to the proposed work and explains relevant limits. Ask whether a smaller scope was considered and why it fits or does not fit. This discussion may require further assessment rather than an immediate choice.
Questions to take with you
- Ask what stays and what is removed.
- Ask for findings supporting the scope.
- Keep the limits of each option visible.
Prepare an options discussion rather than choosing from an unsupported online price.
Prepare an options discussionSources and scope
GAF commercial roof recover overview · GAF single-ply recover considerations
Prepared September 13, 2026. The linked primary resources provide technical or official context. Examples are illustrative, not completed EaseRoofing projects. Guidance does not replace an assessment or the appropriate professional and permitting process for your property.