How do I compare two roofers recommending different repairs?

The short answer

Compare the diagnoses before the prices. Ask each what they found, where, and what evidence supports it. Differing recommendations usually mean they identified different causes — or one looked more closely than the other. The better-evidenced diagnosis is the one to act on, whichever costs more.

What could this mean?

Where one has inspected closely and the other has not, the evidence rather than the price should settle it. Where both have looked properly and still disagree, a third view is reasonable.

What this evidence cannot tell you

Neither diagnosis can be judged conclusively from documents alone. Where the two accounts genuinely conflict on something concealed, the honest answer is that further inspection is needed before committing.

What should you be shown before agreeing to the work?

What each contractor identified as the cause
Photographs supporting each diagnosis
How each carried out their inspection
What each says they could not see
Why each ruled out the other approach

Not every job needs every item. The point is that whatever is recommended should be supported by evidence you can see and a scope you can read.

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What should you do next?

Put the two diagnoses side by side and ask each contractor to comment on the other. The responses are usually revealing.

Reviewed by Aaron, Owner, Elite Roofing Services Cumbria Ltd — last reviewed 17 September 2026.

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