READING THE CARRIER'S ESTIMATE — quantities first, price last

  BEFORE YOU OPEN IT      have your own takeoff for that roof in the other hand

  EVERY LINE HAS          what it is | how much | the unit | the unit price
  THE UNIT COLUMN         squares · linear feet · square feet · each — read it first

  PASS 1 — QUANTITIES (arithmetic, not opinion)
  [ ] squares      [ ] ridge LF     [ ] valley LF    [ ] drip edge LF
  [ ] starter LF   [ ] tear-off layers               [ ] pipe boots / vents EA

  PASS 2 — LINES THAT AREN'T THERE
  [ ] ice-and-water where it belongs   [ ] flashing / step flashing
  [ ] steep or 2-story                 [ ] disposal for every layer
  [ ] anything code or the permit office requires here

  ASK IN WRITING          full estimate, not the summary  ·  which price list and date

  Send quantities first, with your measurements attached. Argue prices never; ask questions always.