Two contractors look at the same roof; one recommends repair, the other replacement. Both can be defensible — but only if each can explain the conditions behind the recommendation.
What a Repair Recommendation Should Include
The identified failure point, the condition of the surrounding material, why compatible repair materials exist for this system, and whether the repair is a long-term correction or a bridge to planned replacement.
What a Replacement Recommendation Should Include
The specific conditions that make continued repair unattractive: widespread deterioration, recurring leaks in unrelated areas, substrate damage, or multiple failing details. “It’s old” is not, by itself, a scope.
When Recommendations Conflict
Request an inspection focused specifically on repair-versus-replacement conditions, and compare the reasoning — not just the prices. The decision guide lists the conditions that favor each path.