With so many roofers and roofing companies in the state of Michigan, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. All the quotes look the same! How do I know if the roofing quote is a fair price? What are some key differentiators I should know about?
These are all important questions that you should be asking yourself when reviewing a roofing quote. The team at Herbert Roofing has put together a few things to keep top of mind as you shop for roofing quotes this season; take a look.
Materials Costs
When you receive a roofing quote, it’s important to make sure the materials and labor costs are separated by line item. You’ll see roofers tend to up-charge materials and add markup to the market price, so they can afford business overhead. In general, you should expect to see a ~30% markup on roofing materials. Depending on your location, material pricing can vary, and you can always call the supplier and ask for pricing. Before you sign on the dotted line, ensure you are getting a fair price on your roofing materials, and do not be afraid to ask for a fair markup if you think the materials cost is high.
Labor Costs
In addition to materials costs, a roofing quote should be transparent about its labor costs, too. Your quote should break down labor costs for roofing removal and roof replacement. If this is not the case, make sure to ask your roofer to be more explicit in the labor costs listed.
Roof Inspections
A roofing quote is not always 100% accurate – that’s why you should always ask the roofer for a home and roof inspection before you decide to move forward. Roofers try to provide accurate pricing, but a quality roofer will incorporate any potential issues into the project scope, ensuring you do not have any pricing surprises mid-project. However, sometimes surprises do occur, so it’s best to keep an open mind and go with the roofer who is most transparent in both the roofing quote, as well as the final inspection. General rule of thumb – do not sign a final contract without an inspection.
Sniff Test
You end up getting what you pay for, so if a quote seems “too good to be true”, it’s probably not worth signing the contract. When you invest in your home, you want to make sure your money is paying for a quality roofing project, both in materials and labor. Your lowest quote is not always the best quote, so keep this in mind when quote shopping.
Remember, if something does not look right on your quote, it may be a sign your roofer or contractor is trying to cut corners or hide quote elements. If you check to see that materials & labor costs are itemized and a roof inspection is required before the contract can be signed, you will be on your way to passing the standard roofing contract sniff test. If you have any questions about your roofing quote, let us know by contacting our team. Happy roof shopping!
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