If a crack or a leak needs repair or maintenance, it can be easy to shove it into the background of your mind and not think about it. As an essential part of your house and your family’s protection, a roofing quote can be overwhelming and scary. You will probably have a lot of questions such as:
- How much is it going to cost?
- Does the entire roof need to be replaced?
- How long will it take?
As you’re not a roofing expert, it can be scary to leave the decision to other people. The good news is at Cambie roofing, we have the experience and the knowledge to steer you in the right direction without being too salesy. Because ultimately we leave the decision up to you.
Many homeowners have horror stories about when a roofing contractor quotes them something and it costs way more than expected. These experiences tend to have a lasting and negative effect and causes them to suspect all roofing contractors are lying to them. Thankfully this is not the case.
Roofing Quote: How A Roofing Contractor Quotes
To start the roofing quote process, we recommend the homeowners get three or four quotes for comparison purposes.
Unfortunately, hidden costs are always a possibility when it comes to any roofing project, such as unseen rotten wood or stucco that needs to be removed and replaced. Always ask your roofer to go over any potential extra charges. That way, you won’t be hit with any significant surprises.
Remember that every roofing job is different and each coming with its own unique set of challenges.
While reliable roofers will do their best to give you the most accurate roofing quotes possible, sometimes the unforeseen does occur. If this happens an open dialogue between the homeowner and roofing contractor is always important.
Nobody likes it when cost overruns and while sometimes there are unavoidable, a lot of them can be prevented if you follow these three steps.
- looks at reviews on Better Business Bureau and Google
- interviews several different roofing contractors.
- takes the time to fully review and understand all aspects of the quote
There’s no getting around that roof repair or replacement requires a significant investment. However, you shouldn’t think of it as a cost, rather an investment into your home that will increase the value.
We get that you’re busy with your job and your family but it’s important that you don’t gloss over these steps or skip them entirely. The consequences can be both stressful and costly.
This means you shouldn’t get a handyman or your cousin to do the work. Rather make sure a certified roofing professional near you. This will make sure that no problems occur down the road which could easily have been dealt with by a professional.
What Questions Should Homeowners Have Answered?
What are the questions that should be answered, in a written quote, to help determine which contractor will be the best choice for the job?
Here is the information they want to see:
- Complete contact information including company name, business license number, phone number, and e-mail
- Anticipated duration of the project including estimated start date and completion date
- Itemization of all materials (quantities, colours, brands, product codes)
- Itemization of labour cost
- Terms including the timing of all payments
- Confirmation of valid workplace insurance and general liability insurance coverage
- Details of all warranties relating to materials and labour plus conditions
- Responsibilities for property clean-up
While this may be an extensive list, it is important for a roofing contractor to provide this type of detail if they want to secure the roofing project, and it is equally important for the homeowner to be fully satisfied with this information before accepting and signing the agreement. There should be no surprises, for either party, when the work is done.
Here are some of the more important points broken down into greater detail.
Projected Time Frame
One of the important pieces of choosing a roofing company is getting an idea of the time frame for your roofing project. A professional roofer should be able to estimate when they will start, how long the project should take, and what date you can expect the work to finish. Having a clear timeline will help you figure out what will best suit your schedule and your needs.
Roofing Quote: A Complete Work Description
Roofing quotes should also include an itemized description of the work. That needs to be done including exactly what the problem was and how the contractor fixed it. Don’t settle for some vague description or no description at all. Make sure that you understand the entire process and what the roofing company is doing.
The Roofing Repair Cost
The cost is always one of the most important aspects of any roofing project. Therefore you’ll want to know what to budget for and prepare adequately. Your estimate should include the cost of both labour and materials including the roof covering, underlayment, flashing, and gutters. There should also be a separate breakdown of wish list items or add ons like removing your old roof, hauling away debris, or renting a dumpster.
The Bottom Line
Whether you are a new homeowner or have been living in your house for many years, undergoing a roofing project is never fun. Thankfully with a little research and some helpful advice can help to ensure the roofing work meets your expectations and your budget.
At Cambie Roofing, we have over 50 years of experience building and installing roofs. We will help you through every step of the process including the initial quote, pick the roofing that is right for your home, and the installation. Call us today to discuss which roofing option is right for your home.